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Biography of Jan Tomaszewski - Soccer
Biography
J
Jan Tomaszewski (born January 9, 1948) is a Poland|Polish former football (soccer)|footballer. A goalkeeper, Tomaszewski is best remembered by some for his performance for Poland national football team|Poland against England national football team|England, in a qualifier for the Football World Cup 1974|1974 World Cup, which England needed to win. Tomaszewski had been labelled "a clown" by Brian Clough before the match, but had the last laugh as he turned in a man-of-the-match performance to repeatedly deny England's attackers - the only goal he conceded being a penalty kick|penalty from Allan Clarke. Jan Domarski had scored for the Poles earlier; with the final result 1-1, Poland went to the finals in West Germany instead. However, Tomaszewski's (and Poland's) performance that night was no fluke, as Poland went on to claim third place in the 1974 World Cup. During that tournament, Tomaszewski saved two penalties in two different matches (from Staffan Tapper and Uli Hoeness) - the first 'keeper in World Cup history to do so. Tomaszewski went on to win a silver medal with Poland at the 1976 Olympics, and also played in the Football World Cup 1978|1978 World Cup, where Poland only managed to get as far as the second group phase. Tomaszewski's club career was mainly at LKS Lodz, having been forbidden by Poland's communist government to play abroad before the age of 30, even after coming to international attention. After the 1978 World Cup, he moved abroad, first to Belgium|Belgian club K. Beerschot V.A.C.|Beerschot, and then Hércules Club de Futbol|Hércules in Spain, before retiring in 1982. In all he won 59 caps for Poland, making him his country's most-capped 'keeper. He now works as a commentator and sports journalist.

