Russians seize advantage in Group A opener

fifa.com

Russia stormed to the top of Group A with an emphatic 4-1 win over the Czech Republic in Wroclaw as Euro 2012 finally got under way. The Group A favourites had lost their last three Euro openers but Dick Advocaat’s men now look well-placed to progress.

The Czechs started brightly but were dealt a blow on 14 minutes when Russian golden boy Alan Dzagoev slammed home for Russia after Aleksandr Kerzhakov had hit the post. Czech Republic’s search for an equalizer resulted in them leaving huge gaps at the back and it wasn’t long before Shirokov exploited a massive gap at left back to dink over the on-rushing Petr Cech for 2-0.

The second half began in the same fashion with Russian counter attacks providing chances, which were wasted particularly by Kerzhakov. They were made to pay almost immediately as Vaclav Pilar beat the offside trap and rounded the keeper after a great through ball from Jaroslav Plasil. Plasil was arguably the only positive for Michal Bilek’s side with a display of strong running in midfield and good deliveries into the box.

Despite the deficit being reduced to one goal, it was Russia who remained the more dangerous and Dzagoev killed the game 11 minutes from time after superbly collecting a through ball and thundering a shot past Cech. Substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko claimed that assist and went one better a few minutes later; after he was allowed to work his way into the Czech box he took his chance with a fierce drive. The fourth goal adding deserved gloss for Russia.

Earlier in the day, the opening game of the tournament between Poland and Greece hardly looked like a mouth-watering clash but it turned out to be a dramatic tale of three goalkeepers ending in a 1-1 draw. Greek stopper Kostas Chalkias was caught flapping helplessly as hosts Poland took a deserved lead on 17 minutes. Robert Lewandowski, amid growing reports he is set to join Manchester United, was there to capitalize on the error.

Polish Keeper Wojciech Szczesny then returned the favour, misjudging a cross and allowing Greek substitute Dimitris Salpigidis to equalize. Salpigidis had only entered the fray as a substitute after his side had been reduced to ten men. Szczesny though, also evened that score, the Arsenal man seeing red for bringing down Salpigidis on 69 minutes. Substitute goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton then saved the resulting penalty from Karagounis. With a point probably fair both sides will now be looking to build on the result as they look to their next fixtures.

The hero for co-hosts Poland, stand-in keeper Tyton, will need to be at his best when he takes the gloves against free-scoring group leaders Russia on Tuesday. Dick Advocaat’s men will be looking to seal their progress with another win. Meanwhile it may well be a case of who defends better in the other fixture. Greece will have some concerns about their own keeper’s confidence and will also need to cope without the suspended Papastathopoulos. For the Czech Republic coach Michal Bilek it could be time to ring the changes after his side were pulled apart by Russia leaving them bottom of the group.

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Czech Republic Euro 2012 Greece Poland national team Russia national team