Euro 2012 Match Day 1 Preview

After all the build-up, international friendless, squad selection, player injuries and fans counting the days down, Euro 2012 is finally here! 1000 goals will be covering the international tournament with a preview every day of the upcoming games, and a review after the action. Day one sees Group A kick into gear, with co-hosts Poland opening the competition against 2004 winners Greece, followed by the eastern European clash between Russia and Czech Republic.

Poland vs Greece

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Poland have grown in stature over recent years and a passionate and enthusiastic fanbase will pack the stadium in Warsaw on Friday to see their heroes in the first game of the tournament. A poor showing and group stage exit in 2008 will hopefully have taught the side a few lessons, and progression to the knockout stages will be in the nation’s sights.

One of the problems of hosting a tournament is that you do not get competitive match practice in qualifying, and as such Poland have been playing international friendlies for the last couple of years. Wins over Hungary, Belarus and Bosnia have all been recorded recently, whilst Franciszek Smuda’s side have also drawn with Germany and Portugal.

Borussia Dortmund pair Robert Lewandowski and captain Jakub Blaszcykowski carry the nation’s attacking threat, in what is a growing and competitive side.

Greece recorded a memorable tournament victory in 2004, exceeding all expectations and lifting the trophy against the odds. Since then they have been competitive without ever really living up to the team of eight years ago. Fernando Santos’ men were clinical in qualifying, and topped their group to automatically qualify.

The 2004 victory was based around a solid backline, and the current team are no different. They were very stingy in defence in qualifying, and don’t expect too many goals to be scored against the Greeks. That said, they do not have any real proven goalscorers in their side either. Schalke defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos is a key man, and will look to keep the Polish strikers at bay.

All in all, this will be a cagey affair with neither side wanting to lose the opening game of the tournament. There will be added pressure on Poland to win in front of their own fans, but the hosts may find Greece difficult to break down.

Russia vs Czech Republic

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With the population and popularity of the game in Russia, it was inevitable that the eastern European powerhouses would produce some top-drawer talents in the modern age, and the side has excelled in recent competitions. The side are starting to see some of their main talents get a bit older, with the likes of Andrei Arshavin, Roman Pavlyuchenko and other top players now household names.

Dick Advocaat’s men topped their qualifying group ahead of Republic of Ireland, without really causing a stir or overly impressing. However, a spectacular 3-0 win over Italy in their last friendly before the tournament has made people sit up and take note. Although the Italians were poor, Russia also looked dangerous and clinical.

Despite a tight Group A, Russia will be pleased that they have avoided most of the big names, and progression through the group will be a minimum requirement for the side. A good start should facilitate this, and they are favourites for this game.

The Czech Republic are a side that have struggled to replace retired stalwarts Jan Koller and Pavel Nedved, and although they still have a number of strong players, the team has lacked the same potency that say them challenge for honours in the 2000’s. A mediocre qualifying campaign was salvaged by playoff victory over Montenegro, however Michal Bilek needs to settle on his best starting XI and formation to ensure a successful Euro 2012.

The Czechs rely on veteran attacking duo Tomas Rosicky and Milan Baros, and the sides goals are likely to originate around these two, however Tomas Pekhart is said to be the nation’s next big-name. A tough opener against Russia, Czech Republic will look to avoid defeat and get results against Greece and Poland.