Ipswich Town goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski delighted to achieve "biggest dream"

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 27 March 2018

Ipswich Town goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski says that he achieved his "biggest dream" when making his debut for Poland against Nigeria last week.

Ipswich Town goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski has described making his first appearance for Poland as achieving his "biggest dream".

On Friday night, Bialkowski was introduced as a second-half substitute in the friendly international with Nigeria, although the stopper could not prevent the Super Eagles from claiming a 1-0 win.

Bialkowski was delighted to finally get his chance to represent his country, although he played down his expectations of earning a place in the squad for this summer's World Cup.

The 30-year-old told reporters in Poland: "This is the fulfillment of the biggest dream. Now you have to do everything to stay in this team for as long as possible. That's how I approach it.

"The game with an eagle on the chest is the greatest distinction for each player. For three years I have been regularly playing in my club every week. I also dreamed about representation before, but I did not have the right to get a call-up. First, I was sitting on a bench in Southampton, then there was Notts County and only the third league. For several seasons I've been fighting hard to get a calling.

"When I received a call-up, everyone was asking about me going to the World Cup but I have to be realistic, it's only been my first cap. Of course it would be huge to go to Russia. Everyone in the club congratulated my but I keep my head cool. Every footballer wants to play at the highest possible level."

Bialkowski has made 140 appearances for Ipswich since joining the club in 2014.