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Euro 2012: Poland opens with wild draw, Dzagoev leads Russia over Czechs

TytonSave (Getty Images)

Poland backup goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton was one of the longer shots to be considered a hero at any point during Euro 2012. After one match, he's a household name across Europe.

Tyton entered for red-carded Arsenal goalkeeper Wojiech Szczesny and immediately stopped a Giorgios Karagounis penalty kick in the 71st minute to preserve a 1-1 draw for Poland against Greece in a wild opening match of the tournament.

Robert Lewandowski had given the hosts the early lead after connecting for a header off a cross from Borussia Dortmund teammate Jakub Blaszczykowski in the 17th minute, and Poland threatened for the remainder of the first half as a raucous crowd in Warsaw cheered on. After Greece controversially had Sokratis Papastathopoulos sent off for two yellow cards prior to halftime it seemed to be a long night for the 2004 European champions, but Dimitris Salpingidis rescued the Greeks by finishing into an open net after a misplay in the Poland box to level the score in the 51st minute.

Salpingidis had a would-be second goal overruled by a tight offside call late in the second half as well, as both 10-man teams settled for a point.

In the other Group A match:

RUSSIA 4, CZECH REPUBLIC 1

Alan Dzagoev was thought to be one of the top young players expected to arrive on the international stage in this tournament. After one match, the 21-year-old CSKA Moscow attacker has announced his arrival with authority.

Dzagoev scored two goals to lead an impressive Russia side to a victory over the Czech Republic and an early lead in Group A. Dzagoev opened the scoring in the 15th minute after Alexander Kerzhakov's chance hit the post and ricocheted right to Dzagoev in the center of the box. Roman Shirokov doubled the lead 24 minutes later, as the Czech Republic back line wobbled through the opening 45 minutes.

Vaclav Pilar gave the Czech Republic a brief lifeline, slicing the deficit in half in the 52nd minute, but Dzagoev scored his second goal with a power finish inside the area to restore the two-goal lead.

Roman Pavlyuchenko finished off the Czechs with a superb individual effort inside the area, shaking a defender and clinically finishing to the near post from the top of the box to cap the rout.

GROUP A STANDINGS

1. Russia (3 points, 1-0-0, +3 GD)

2. Poland (1 point, 0-0-1, 0 GD)

3. Greece (1 point, 0-0-1, 0 GD)

4. Czech Republic (0 points, 0-1-0, -3 GD)

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What did you think of the opening matches of Euro 2012? Think Russia is a contender for a deep run? Think that Poland and/or Greece should be disappointed with their result?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I thought Ballack was fine, generally speaking, but you’d expect more than ‘fine’ I guess. Lalas seemed to speak over him at times as well.

    Russia looks very strong, the Czechs were actually lively at times but don’t look to have the quality finishing or in the back to do much. Poland must regret not putting the match away in the first half, Greece must regret not being able to steal the win in the second half.

    The Greek red card was a joke.

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  2. I think Lalas was actually trying to help Ballack out at times. I thought Bob Ley(sp?) asked Ballack some questions that were hard for him to answer. Like the one about what is the mindset of a goalkeeper coming off the bench to save a penalty kick. How is Ballack supposed to know? He was a midfielder!

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  3. agreed. Ballack was accurate and to the point. I actually thought Lalas tried to show Ballack up by commenting on Ballacks pick of Germany to advance to the next round. Lalas seemed like he expected Ballack to explain that pick. Why would anyone who knows anything about the game have to explain why they picked Germany to advance to the next round.

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  4. I think he comprehends English just fine, just takes him a few seconds to articulate a proper response. I think he’s very insightful with his words though. Better than somebody who just talks and talks and talks but doesn’t really say anything.

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  5. Russia looks solid. I’m disappointed in the Poles, I was hoping for more chances and finishing. Also, when the Greeks display offense prowess against you, it’s time to tighten up the back line.

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  6. I am completely understanding of Ballack’s limited English (though I actually think it’s not that bad). I don’t think he’s the most outgoing person in the world, though, and doesn’t fit the color commentator role.

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  7. Ballack is an absolute train wreck. I feel ackward everytime he opens his mouth. When paired with Lalas, ESPN’s coverage went from a “10” for South Africa to a “6” for this year’s Euros (McMannaman/Roberto Martinez balanced Lalas out).

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  8. “Think that Portland and/or Greece should be disappointed with their result?”

    I think Portland should just feel lucky to even be playing at the Euros! Its very unorthodox so no reason to feel disappointed 😉

    All kidding (as typos) aside this was an excellent opening day to Euro 2012! I only hope the Nats make tonight’s game as exciting and get a huge win too!

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  9. I think Alexi Lalas does enough talking for three pundits. Ballack did OK, I thought. I wonder if sometimes apprehension about the accuracy of his English prevents him from further elucidating.

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  10. Good lord, who came up with Michael Ballack as a pundit? I feel like Lalas is about to slap him awake. Does he know he is expected to talk?

    Entertaining games though…

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