Jerzy Dudek believes Poland can be the surprise package at next year's World Cup in Germany and is sure the proximity of Germany will guarantee plenty of travelling support.
Having bowed out in the first round of the 2002 finals, the Liverpool goalkeeper believes the team that finished second behind England in World Cup qualifying Group 6 has now learnt from those mistakes.
Dudek said: "We have a lot of experience from the last tournament and if we do not make the mistakes that we made in Japan and Korea then I think we can achieve something."
A 3-0 win over Ecuador in a friendly in Barcelona on Sunday was the ideal start to their preparations, which continue on Wednesday against Estonia.
"Although we have only just started our preparations things are going very well," Dudek added.
"Expectation is always very high in Poland and especially this time because we are playing in Germany which is very close to Poland. We now have only two games left with the second in March so we need to look very closely at what we are doing.
"We always have a good atmosphere in the team as we don't have big stars. This is important for us and if we can maintain this spirit then we can do a lot."
However, Dudek is backing one of the favourites to lift the trophy next summer.
"I think it will be the same as ever with Brazil as favourites and England I think will fight for the title as well as they have such big names in their team," he said.
"They need to take on the challenge to win but also at the end of the day you need luck, a good draw and obviously to play well. I think though that they can do this.
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