Sporting chance is reward for progress

Article forms the lead and overview feature in FT: Special Report 'Poland 2012'. Jan Cienski finds the nation making strides thanks to Euro 2012 and EU money but headwinds are rising

Other features include:

+ Economy: Nation avoided recession but risks persist
Neil Buckley explains why the outlook depends on the eurozone

+ Poznan: More than merely a facelift for the football
Hosting Euro 2012 brings many benefits, says Neil Buckley

+ Politics: Tusk forces austerity through and hopes voters forget quickly
The ruling party has lost support over social changes, writes Jan Cienski

+ Foreign policy: Making friends with neighbours and old enemies
The eurozone is important looking westwards but the east is still a priority, writes Jan Cienski

+ Gtech: High skills prompt one-way bet
Jan Cienski finds Warsaw is the hub of the gaming systems company’s European operation

+ Renewable energy: Green electricity sector will grow faster when it gets head of wind
Biomass thrown into coal-fired boilers to reduce emissions is no sustainable solution, writes Adam Easton

+ Euro 2012: Roads provide one route to boost the economy
Development will provide long-term economic support, says Jan Cienski

+ Airlines: Competitors manage to fly rings round national carrier
Intense local rivalry is putting pressure on Lot, writes Kamil Tchorek

+ Kruk: Debt collector took a polite approach and it paid off
Agency’s rational approach to clients who could not pay returned dividends, writes Jan Cienski

+ Atomic energy: Politicians back nuclear – but voters still wary
Warsaw seeks ways to reduce reliance on Russian gas and carbon emissions, writes Liam Nolan

+ Motor industry: Poles build new cars but buy used ones
Neil Buckley finds that more home sales would further boost auto making.