Euro Cup 2012 Highlights: Poland and Greece Deadlock 1-1
Sometimes being the host country doesn’t always have it advantage. Sure, the positive is you have your home team rooting for you but, you also have to deal with the pressures. Last night, host team Poland deadlocked 1-1 vs. Greece. We knew going into this game that both sides it would be a defensive battle and that’s exactly what they gave us.
Poland should have converted their chances in the 1st half. Lewandowski played really well for Poland and if Greece didn’t have Salpingidis, I don’t know what the score would have been. Here are some of the game highlights:
KICK OFF
1:00 Lewandowski committed a light foul (no card).
3:00 Matuszczyk got a solid kick to the net. The shot was pushed over the bar. A corner kick produced nothing.
4:30 Greeks took possession and proceeded to attack down the field to a having to listen to boos and jeers.
7:00 Poland is playing with a load of pace at the moment. Lukasz Piszczek is did a fine job far for Poland of attacking down the right wing. Lewandowski, the Manchester United prospect, is already causing Greece a world of problems.
10:00 Katsouranis took free kick. It was close, however, it’s headed out of bounds.
13:00 Greece shown that they were vulnerable as Lewandowski attacks across the pitch and hits in a beautiful cross. Unfortunately for Poland, no one was able to put their head on the end of it.
Lewandowski heads in a beautiful cross. Greece clearly caught off guard been found wanting in the left-back position. A perfect start for the Poles.
Shortly after substitute Dimitris Salpigidis had equalized for Greece by knocking in a loose ball in the 51st minute, the diminutive striker was taken down by Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in the area.
Szczesny was given a red card, and captain Giorgos Karagounis was given the chance to again give Greece an opening match win against the host. Eight years ago, Karagounis scored in the opening 2-1 win over Euro 2004 host Portugal.
His shot however, was saved by replacement goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton, whose first touch of the ball salvaged a point for the co-hosts in Group A.
EURO 2012: Poland vs Greece Timeline
90+3' - The whistle has gone to end the second half. The match finishes 1-1.
90+1' - 3 minutes will be added to the Second half in Warsaw.
90' - Velasco Carballo, Carlos has awarded Poland a corner. Ludovic Obraniak takes the kick from the Right.
88' - In Warsaw Greece's Kostas Katsouranis is caught offside.
85' - Poland's R.Lewandowski gets his shot away but it misses the target.
84 - G.Karagounis for Greece gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
83' - E.Polanski of Poland smashes in a shot on target. The keeper saves, though.
80' - Greece's G.Samaras breaks free at National Stadium Warsaw. But the strike goes wide of the post.
77' - In Warsaw Greece attack through V.Torossidis. The finish is off target, however.
74' - Greece drive forward but Dimitris Salpingidis is judged offside.
70' - Przemyslaw Tyton is replacing Maciej Rybus for the Home team.
69' - Greece have been given a penalty at National Stadium Warsaw.
69' - Poland are down to 10 men after Wojciech Szczesny has been shown a red card.
68' - The Away team have replaced Fanis Gekas with Kostas Fortounis. This is the Third substitution made today by Santos, Fernando.
66' - Poland attack but M.Rybus's header doesn't find the target.
63' - G.Samaras for Greece gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
58' - In Warsaw Poland attack through L.Obraniak. The finish is off target, however.
54' - Georgios Karagounis (Greece) has received a yellow card from Velasco Carballo, Carlos.
51' - Dimitris Salpingidis is on target to level the scores at 1-1.
48' - Poland's R.Lewandowski gets his shot away but it misses the target.
46' - Dimitris Salpingidis is replacing Sotiris Ninis for Greece at National Stadium Warsaw.
46' - The second-half is now underway.
45+3' - The whistle has gone to end the first-half.
45+2' - At National Stadium Warsaw, Jose Holebas has been yellow-carded for the Away team.
45' - D.Perquis (Poland) is first to the ball but his header is off-target.
44' - Greece's Sokratis Papastathopoulos has been shown a second yellow card and sent off.
42' - At National Stadium Warsaw Sotiris Ninis (Greece) takes a corner from the Right.
40' - Poland have been awarded a corner by Velasco Carballo, Carlos. Ludovic Obraniak steps up to take it.
40' - Corner awarded to Greece.
39' - In Warsaw Sotiris Ninis for Greece takes a corner from the Right-hand flag.
37' - Poland's D.Perquis breaks free at National Stadium Warsaw. But the strike goes wide of the post.
37' - Kyriakos Papadopoulos is on a sub for Avraam Papadopoulos for Greece.
35' - Sokratis Papastathopoulos for Greece has been booked by Velasco Carballo, Carlos and receives a first yellow card.
27' - Greece's A.Papadopoulos looks ok and returns to the pitch.
26' - Velasco Carballo, Carlos has awarded Poland a corner. Ludovic Obraniak takes the kick from the Left.
24' - Greece are coming forward and K.Katsouranis gets in a strike, it misses the target, however.
21' - Play has been resumed.
19' - The match at National Stadium Warsaw has been interrupted briefly for a check on A.Papadopoulos, who is down injured.
17' - Lukasz Piszczek with an assist there.
17' - Robert Lewandowski heads in to make it 1-0 at National Stadium Warsaw.
16' - L.Obraniak is back on the pitch.
16' - Play is underway once more.
15' - Play has been interrupted briefly in Warsaw to check on L.Obraniak, who is grimacing with pain.
12' - Poland are pushing forward but J.Blaszczykowski's finish is wide of the goal.
12' - F.Gekas (Greece) gets up for a header but cannot keep the ball on target.
6' - Greece's Fanis Gekas is whistled for offside at National Stadium Warsaw.
5' - M.Rybus of Poland gets in a strike, but is off target.
5' - At National Stadium Warsaw Ludovic Obraniak (Poland) takes a corner from the Right.
5' - Poland's L.Obraniak is on target but unsuccessful.
1' - The match has started at National Stadium Warsaw.
http://www.theonlinesportsworld.com/euro-2012-predictions-and-preview-poland-vs-greece.html
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Euro 2012: Russia Crushes Czech Republic 4-1
Opening day for the Euro 2012 was not a disappointment especially from Group A Russia vs Czech Republic. Russia came is an right away made a statement in this game showing why they are the dominate force that they are. Russia looked flat out good they came with an impressive attack against a shoddy defense by the Czechs. They passed the ball with efficiency and looked to always attack on the break . Their movement came from young superstar Andrei Arshavin and Alan Dzafoev who were just too much for the Czech Republic to handle. This has been an awesome start to begin the Euro 2012. Here are some play developments from the game :
HALF-TIME: Russia 2, Czech Republic 0
2129: A header from mid-fielder Vaclav Pilar brought the first real save of note from Russia's goal keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev. The Russians won a free kick inside the Czech Republic half, as Plasil brought down Kerzhakov, The Czechs tried to keep the possession inside Russia's half as much as possible. The Czechs tried to battle their way back into the match, but Russia's defense looked a bit stronger than it did from the beginning of the match.
2119: Russians caused a lot of havoc with their movement going forward. The ball was pulled back from the left when Kerzhakov who hit the target, but instead blazed high and wide. That said, they look a little edgy on defense. The was a good penalty shout for Russia, Andrei Arshavin took a fall after a knock from Plasil.
2110: it started looking really ugly for the Czech’s Having been up against it, Russia looked like they were going to score and attack while Andrei Arshavin played stellar passing the ball into the path of Roman Shirokov.
EURO 2012: Russia vs Czech Republic Timeline
90+2’ - Howard Webb blows to end the match. The final score is 4-1.
90+2’ - Czech Republic's Milan Petrzela has run offside.
90’ - At Municipal Stadium Wroclaw the fourth official shows that 2 minutes will be added to the Second half.
90’ - Czech Republic's G.Selassie gets in a shot but it is blocked by a Czech Republic defender.
87’ - A.Kokorin of Russia smashes in a shot on target. The keeper saves, though.
87’ - J.Plasil for Czech Republic gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
85’ - Michal Bilek (Czech Republic) is making a Third substitution, with David Lafata replacing Milan Baros.
84’ - Advocaat, Dick is making the team's Second substitution at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw with Aleksander Kokorin replacing Alan Dzagoev.
84’ - Czech Republic drive forward and T.Rosicky gets in a shot. Without netting, however.
82’ - It's now 4-1 in Wroclaw as Roman Pavlyuchenko scores for Russia.
79’ - Roman Pavlyuchenko with an assist there.
79’ - Goal! Russia extend their lead to 3-1 through Alan Dzagoev.
78’ - R.Pavlyuchenko (Russia) goes for goal but the shot is blocked by an alert defence.
78’ - At Municipal Stadium Wroclaw Andrey Arshavin (Russia) takes a corner from the Left.
76’ - Czech Republic make their Second substitution with Milan Petrzela replacing Petr Jiracek.
75’ - T.Rosicky gets his shot on target but fails to score for Czech Republic.
73’ - Roman Pavlyuchenko is on a sub for Aleksandr Kerzhakov for Russia.
72’ - In Wroclaw Czech Republic attack through G.Selassie. However, the finish is off target.
70’ - A.Kerzhakov of Russia gets in a strike, but is off target.
68’ - Russia are pushing forward but A.Kerzhakov's finish is wide of the goal.
64’ - Russia are coming forward and A.Kerzhakov gets in a strike, it misses the target, however.
64’ - In Wroclaw, V.Pilar of Czech Republic is presented with a shooting opportunity. But the strike is blocked by the covering defence.
63’ - In Wroclaw Russia attack through K.Zyryanov. The finish is off target, however.
57’ - Russia drive forward but Andrey Arshavin is judged offside.
55’ - R.Shirokov of Russia gets in a strike, but is off target.
54’ - Howard Webb has awarded Czech Republic a corner. Jaroslav Plasil takes the kick from the Right.
52’ - That's a fine assist from Jaroslav Plasil.
52’ - Czech Republic are back in the match in Wroclaw. Vaclav Pilar has scored to make it 2-1.
50’ - Russia's A.Kerzhakov misses with an attempt on goal.
46’ - Tomas Hubschman is replacing Jan Rezek for Czech Republic at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw.
46’ - The second half has started at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw.
45+2’ - The first-half has come to a close in Wroclaw.
45+1’ - Czech Republic are pushing forward but P.Jiracek's finish is wide of the goal.
45’ - The fourth official's board shows 2 minutes, which will be added to the First half.
45’ - V.Pilar (Czech Republic) gets in a powerful header but the ball is cleared away.
44’ - Howard Webb has awarded Czech Republic a corner. Jaroslav Plasil takes the kick from the Right.
37’ - Howard Webb blows against Czech Republic's Jan Rezek for offside.
33’ - Russia's A.Kerzhakov gets his shot away but it misses the target.
26’ - Czech Republic push forward through M.Kadlec, whose finish on goal is saved.
25’ - Roman Shirokov of Russia is pulled up for offside.
24’ - Andrey Arshavin instrumental with a fine assist.
24’ - Russia take a comfortable 2-0 lead thanks to Roman Shirokov.
23’ - J.Rezek (Czech Republic) strikes at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw but his header is cleared.
23’ - In Wroclaw Jaroslav Plasil for Czech Republic takes a corner from the Right-hand flag.
19’ - A.Dzagoev for Russia gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
18’ - In Wroclaw Czech Republic's Milan Baros is caught offside.
15’ - Goal! Alan Dzagoev gives Russia a 1-0 lead.
13’ - Corner awarded to Russia.
12’ - Czech Republic's T.Rosicky breaks free at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw. But the strike goes wide of the post.
6’ - Czech Republic attack but R.Hubnik's header doesn't find the target.
4’ - At Municipal Stadium Wroclaw Tomas Rosicky (Czech Republic) takes a corner from the Left.
3’ - Czech Republic have been awarded a corner by Howard Webb. Jaroslav Plasil steps up to take it.
2' - Russia's Andrey Arshavin is whistled for offside at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw.
1' - Howard Webb, has blown to start the match.
http://www.theonlinesportsworld.com/euro-2012-predictions-and-preview-greece-vs-czech-republic.html
