With Grzegorz Lato at his right, Robert Gadocha at his left, and Kazimierz Deyna in support, Szarmach profited from the absence of Włodzimierz Lubański to lead the Polish attack, the best at 1974 World Cup, with sixteen goals.

He confirmed his status two years later at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, winning the silver medal and the title of best player of the tournament, with nine goals.

Jowled and moustached, the Polish attacker had a Gallic quality and thus easily fit in at AJ Auxerre.

He won the favour of Guy Roux and of the Burgundian public, by scoring 94 goals between 1980 and 1985.

After a brief period at Guingamp and a total of 32 goals in 61 games with the Poland national team,[2] Szarmach began his career as a manager, in particular managing Clermont-Ferrand, then Châteauroux in the second division.