EURO 2008 INFO

Poland coach Leo Beenhakker was honored by the country's president on Wednesday for his success in qualifying the team for the European Championship.

Beenhakker, a Dutchman, was presented with the Cross of the Order of the Rebirth of Poland for leading the team to its first ever European finals, which will be held in June in Austria and Switzerland.

"I want to express right from my heart that I am very thankful and very honored to receive this award," Beenhakker said during a ceremony at the residence of President Lech Kaczynski.

"Winning football matches is always great," Beenhakker said, wearing the shiny cross pinned to the lapel of his dark suit. "But if at the same time ... it helps for part of society to have more self-respect, to have more self-confidence, then winning is even a much better feeling."

The 65-year-old Beenhakker became the first foreigner to coach Poland when he took over in July 2006 after the country's lackluster performance at the World Cup in Germany.

Poland has won 13 games, drawn six and lost four since Beenhakker took over.

"We've managed to end our losing streak thanks to the enormous contribution of Leo Beenhakker," Kaczynski said.