'Don't Write off the Czechs' Euro 2012 Group A

Hello Blogosphere!

     I would first like to apologize that I did not comment on the Euro Cup Group A games between Greece & Poland, and Russia & Czech Republic. I sacrificed a day of soccer and took my fiancee out to dinner. Now to business.

Group A

(l-r, t-b) Poland, Greece, Russia, and the Czech Republic make up Group A.

     Yesterday marked the beginning of the moderately-publicized UEFA Euro Cup, an international soccer competition between pre-qualified European National Association Football (Soccer) Teams, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine.


      The opening game played was between Greece and co-hosts Poland, with the latter opening the scoring in the first half. I honestly cannot remember most of what happened after that, between all my comings-and-goings of Friday. However, I did manage to catch the exciting moments of a Polish red card midway through the second half. The card was presented to Polish keeper Wojciech Szczesny after his something of a collision with a Greek striker. No shame for Szczesny, as the replay showed; He was simply doing his job as a keeper in a one-on-one situation, and despite the red card, is no great villain. 


     The most drama in the opening match stemmed not from the sending-off, but rather from the ensuing penalty shot. The Polish back-up keeper, Tyton, had scarcely warmed-up when we was called on to try and stop a penalty from Greece's Giorgos Karagounis. The tense mood of the stadium erupted into cheers from the Poles and groans from the Greeks when Tyton made a routine diving save, and keeping the scores level at 1-1.


     The remainder of the game featured uninspiring play, and the remaining unspent excitement for either the Poles or Greeks must be awarded to the strong fight by both sides to keep the game level. Final score: 1-1.


     The Russia-Czech Republic game offered much more entertainment, so naturally I saw even less of it. I did manage to catch the only Czech goal, which at the time seemed a true revenge-goal, and I expected it to turn the game around. At that point, the score was 2-1 Russia, and I genuinely expected to see another draw for Group A. Alas, in my absence, the Russians hammered back to win it 4-1. No detailed analysis available from me. 


     As for the Group A table, it currently stands:

1. Russia             - 3 pts
2. Poland            - 1 pt
3. Greece           - 1 pt
4. Czech Rep.     -1 pt

     There are no easy games in the Euro Cup. Every team has earned a right to play in Polkraine, and any team can come out on top. With that being said, any group can turn out in any way, so my predictions are my no means accurate, and despite their attitude otherwise, neither can ESPN. However, I do think we missed the best of the Czechs in the opening match, and that they will deliver strong blows to both the Poles and the Greeks, winning against both teams. The Russians will continue strongly, and with a draw against Poland and a win against the Greeks, they will advance comfortably. The Greeks were impressive in their athleticism and speed, but lack the strength and finesse to deal with either the Czechs or the Russians. The Poles are riding on the home-team advantage, and I suspect that their fans will push them forward to become a contender, possibly even edging-out the Russians. That being said, look for a Czech comeback.


     Group B will follow later this evening, but I intend to finish-out the Netherlands-Denmark game and catch at least the first half of Portugal-Germany, so expect a more lively commentary.