Friday June 8, 2012 Group Stage: Group A Finished Stadion Narodowy

Poland 1 - 1 Greece

  • Lewandowski 17’
  • Salpingidis 51’

217 comments | Write your comment

  1. Two see red as Greece hold Poland

    Two see red as Greece hold Poland

    Co-hosts Poland and Greece fought out a 1-1 draw in a Euro 2012 opener that saw both teams finish with 10 men at Warsaw's Stadion Narodowy. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Poland
    • Greece
    • 90+3' There goes the final whistle. Fine opening match, but it ends 1-1 in Warsaw. A fair result from this one. Thanks for joining us.
    • 90+1' Katsouranis almost knocks a driven cross into his own net. So close to an own goal that would have handed Poland the three points.
    • 89' Three minutes to be added to the match. Now or never for both these teams.
    • 88' Piszczek needing a time out after taking a sore one in the ribs. Poland on the ball.
    • 87' Lewandowski clatters Papadopoulos as he tried to bound beyond the defence. Almost time up in Warsaw.
    • 86' Fernando Santos out of his technical area demanding that his side focus in these closing moments.
    • 85' The free-kick again comes to nothing. Disappointment for Greece. Karagounis looking a bit disappointed with that.
    • 84' Perquis nudges Samaras in the back, and the visiting side have a free-kick 35 yards from goal.
    • 83' Torosidis brought down by Boenisch. Poland fans loud and proud, but will their side get the win that they crave.
    • 82' Greece may well be happier with this result than Poland as Lewandowski smacks a volley into the side of the home goal.
    • 81' Karagounis drills a shot well over the bar from distance. Heading for the death throes of this match.
    • 80' Polanski wallops a shot at goal from distance, but straight into the arms of Chalkias. Weak effort.
    • 79' Obraniak throws over a cross from out wide, but just too much pace on the ball for Lewandowski.
    • 78' Ball breaks to Samaras on the edge of the box, but he lifts the ball over the bar from long range.
    • 77' Greece taking up residence in the home area. Looking a lot more confident on the ball here.
    • 76' Obraniak races into the Greece area. Looking for a penalty under pressure from Papadopoulos, but was never a penalty.
    • 75' Torosidis smacks a volley well over the bar from distance. Worth a bash, but never on target.
    • 74' Szczesny will be suspended for his country's second Group A match against Russia due to that red card.
    • 73' Obraniak throws a free-kick into the area. Headed clear by Greece before Samaras gives the ball away needlessly after Greece tried to break.
    • 72' Greece have looked a lot better in this second half. Salpigidis tucks the ball in the net, but is deemed to be just offside.
    • 71' Wasn't the best penalty. Sacrificied power for direction and got neither really. 1-1 now with both men down to 10 men.
    • 70' Tyton saves the penalty! Karagounis places the penalty to his right, but the goalkeeper went right and saved. Drama in Warsaw.
    • 69' Rybus is going to depart to be replaced by PSV Eindhoven's Tyton for this penalty. What a chance this is for Greece....
    • 68' GREECE HAVE A PENALTY! Szczesny has been sent off for bringing down Salpigidis in the box. Both teams with 10 men now. What a transformation in this match.
    • 67' Change for Greece as Gekas departs to be replaced by Fortounis.
    • 66' Giorgios Karagounis has picked up a record seventh yellow card in eight games at the European Championships.
    • 65' Boenisch picks out Rybus in the Greece area, but his header flies harmlessly wide of the target.
    • 64' Samaras working hard to close down space as he stops Perquis from launching the ball long.
    • 63' Torosidis fouled in the air by Rybus as Greece are awarded a free-kick in their own box.
    • 62' Poland just going through a sticky period in this match. Karagounis on the ground, but no damage done.
    • 61' Chance for Samaras as he wallops the shot well wide from the ball by Katsouranis. Lovely ball, but not taken by the Celtic forward.
    • 60' Polish crowd continue to make plenty of noise as Rybus brings down Torosidis. Greece with a free-kick deep in their own half.
    • 59' Greece with 10 men in their own half. One imagines Greece might well be a tough nut to crack in this second period.
    • 58' Karagounis knocks the ball into the Poland area, but Szczesny comes off his line to collect the cross with Gekas lurking.
    • 57' Obraniak puts plenty of power into the shot, but the free-kick flies wide of goal for a goalkick to the visiting side.
    • 56' A free-kick chance here as Lewandowski goes to ground 30 yards from goal.
    • 55' Poland being patient as Murawski carries the ball forward for the home side. All very pretty before Chalkias comes off his line to collect the loose ball.
    • 54' Karagounis has been booked for a handball. No complaints there. A blatant handball.
    • 53' Only one team has ever come from behind to avoid defeat after having a man sent off at the European Championship: Yugoslavia vs Slovenia in 2000.
    • 52' Polish fans stunned in Warsaw. One bit of quality from the Greece side brings about the leveller. The 10 men would take this outcome. Torosidis with the cross for that goal.
    • 51' GOAL! Salpigidis slams the ball into the empty net after Szczesny came and missed the cross. 1-1 and Greece are back in this game.
    • 50' Samaras more a wide man than a striker these days as Karagounis is fouled by Murawski in the middle of the pitch.
    • 49' News of the referee for this game: Carlos Velasco Carballo dished out 16 red cards in just 19 games in La Liga this season. Perhaps no surprise he got his red out tonight.
    • 48' Lewandowski chased by Samaras before the Polish forward lifts a shot over the bar from inside the visiting area.
    • 47' One change at the break for Greece with Ninis departing to be replaced by Dimitrios Salpingidis. Looks a long way back for the visitors here.
    • 46' Poland get the second period off and running.
    • 45+3' There goes the whistle for the break. A 1-0 lead for Poland who have everything going for them now against the 10 men of Greece.
    • 45+2' Samaras flicks the header wide of Szczesny's goal. That should be that for the first period.
    • 44' We are into three minutes of time added on....
    • 43' Pequis accidentally touches the ball with his arm. Referee doesn't want to know before Holebas is booked for complaining. Referee is having a poor game. But not as bad as Greece.
    • 42' Free-kick flies into the area, but Perquis flicks a header wide of the goal. Greece down to 10 men. We're going to see a lot of red cards if that is how we judge a red card in this tournament.
    • 41' A wretched decision by the referee. Takes out Murawski midway inside his half. Never a yellow and never a red. Greece day goes from bad to worse.
    • 40' Papastathopoulos is off the park! A red card for the Greece defender. Disaster for the visitors.
    • 39' Samaras closes down space but the ball flies back off him for a goalkick to Poland. Szczesny hammers the goalkick down the park.
    • 38' Greece had the lowest goals per game scored rate in qualifying to reach Euro 2012 - 1.4 goals per game. Suggests they don't want to lose another goal here.
    • 37' Szczesny finally sees some action as he comes off his line to punch clear the corner from Ninis before Poland break to the other end to win their own corner.
    • 36' Greece manager Fernando Santos looking slightly dazed on the visiting bench. Not sure who looks more concerned: the manager or his players....
    • 35' Perquis smashes the ball wide from 12 yards out with the Greece defence again all over the show. Awful finish. Should have been 2-0 to Poland.
    • 34' Avraam Papadopoulos departs to be replaced by Kyriakos Papadopoulos for Greece.
    • 33' Papastathopoulos has been booked for a foul on Lewandowski. Poor call that as he seemed to be playing the ball. Poland have a free-kick.
    • 32' Szczesny finally gets a touch in the Poland goal, but he could be sitting in that home goal on a deckchair such is the action he has seen with an aimless ball heading into his paws.
    • 31' Obraniak brings down Karagounis and the visiting side have a free-kick 40 yards from goal. Poor finish again as the ball hits the wall. Nothing going right here for Greece.
    • 30' Samaras doing well to win the ball for his side, but he is hampered by a lack of support again. Greece's attacks continue to lack any real penetration or direction.
    • 29' Papastathopoulos rises to head the ball away from Lewandowski, who is showing Manchester United what he can bring to the table.
    • 28' Polish crowd cheering every touch their side take. Greece getting the run around.
    • 27' The last three host sides have all lost their opening games at Euros (Portugal in 2004, Switzerland and Austria in 2008). Poland looking good to change that stat so far.
    • 26' Boenisch brings down Ninis on the egde of the Polish box. Almost inside the area. Dangerous moments for Greece, but Ninis's free-kick is headed away after his initial effort threatened nobody.
    • 25' Obraniak with a free-kick into the Greece area, but Papadopoulos rises to nod out of his box. Greece struggling to keep the ball for any length of time.
    • 24' Chalkias comes off his line to punch clear after Obraniak had pierced the area with a fine corner. Poland continue to move forward.
    • 23' Lewandowski wins a corner in a foot race with Papastathopoulos. Nothing going Greece's way at the moment.
    • 22' Greece have only won one of nine group matches at European Championship finals. Doesn't look like that stat is going to change unless their formation changes.
    • 21' Plenty of boos around the stadium as Holebas decides to go for a run up the park. Katsouranis drags a shot well wide of the target from distance.
    • 20' Papadopoulos is back on the park as Greece return to 11 men. That should help their cause. Ninis deemed to be guilty of fouling Murawski.
    • 19' Gekas is ploughing a lone furrow for Greece. He has yet to settle, and neither has his team-mates. He needs support and he needs better quality support.
    • 18' Papadopoulos continues to receive some treatment. This doesn't look too good. Could be a knee injury. Meanwhile, Poland continue to enjoy their day out with the stadium bouncing.
    • 17' Poland have never won a game at the European Championships. Their one previous appearance in 2008 saw them exit at the group stage following one draw and two defeats.
    • 16' Blaszczykowski throws over the cross with Chalkias nowhere to be seen as the Poles strike for a 1-0 lead. Papadopoulos needing a bit of treatment.
    • 15' GOAL! Lewandowski scores for Poland and the party can begin. Fine move and finish with his head. Warsaw is rocking. What a crackling atmosphere! Awful goalkeeping it must be said.
    • 14' The Polish fans in in party mood as Lewandowski fires a volley wide of goal. Complaining that he was having his shirt pulled, but the referee is having none of it.
    • 13' Obraniak needing a spot of treatment before he gets off his feet to return to the action after taking a head knock.
    • 12' Piszczek fires a ball across the face of goal, but just missed Lewandowski as he raced into the box. Poor cross really. Should have been the opener with the Greeks all over the place at the back.
    • 11' The last side to win a European Championship finals tournament that they hosted were France in 1984. None of the last eight hosts have won the tournament in their home nation, while only one of those (Portugal in 2004) have reached the final.
    • 10' Blaszczykowski lifts a volley miles over the bar from inside the Greek area. Poor finish. Mistimed that by some margin and the groans are palpable around the stadium.
    • 9' Gekas flicks the ball wide from Karagounis's long free-kick into the Polish area. First real chance for the visiting side, but not taken.
    • 8' Greece haven't let a goal in since last November. That is one mean defence. Brings back memories of their Euro 2004 glory days under Otto Rehheagal when they beat Portugal twice, France and Czech Republic in lifting the trophy.
    • 7' Greece on the ball at the back. Getting a few touches on the ball. Samaras gives the ball away needlessly. He has had a fine season at Celtic. Today would be a good time for him to continue his form.
    • 6' Greece being pushed back in these opening moments by a tidal wave of support as much as the Poland players. This is what you call 'weathering the storm' in football parlance.
    • 5' Lewandowski is apparantly set to agree a move to Manchester United this summer. Chance to impress this afternoon. Read about that story here.... Lewandowski 'set to join United'
    • 4' Lewandowski sees a shot blocked before he rolls the ball back to Murawski, whose shot is tipped over the bar by Chalkias in the visiting goal from the edge of the box. Decent stop by the Greek goalkeeper.
    • 3' Plenty of noise in this stadium. Rybus's cross is cut out by Katsouranis. Poland quickly into their stride in this cauldron with Chalkias coming to collect a cross.
    • 2' Greece going with a 4-3-3 formation. Kostas Chalkias is in goal for the Greeks. Greece conceded just five goals in qualifying so they are not prone to losing a lot of goals as Lewandowski is deemed to be guilty of fouling Papastathopoulos in the home half.
    • 1' Poland set to go with a 4-5-1 formation spearheaded by Robert Lewandowski of Borussia Dortmund. We are off and running here then in Warsaw. Greece kick us off.
    • 16.55 A quick reminder of those teams for you as the teams enter the arena for the respective national anthems. Poland: Szczesny, Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch, Murawski, Polanski, Blaszczykowski, Obraniak, Rybus, Lewandowski////Greece: Chalkias, Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Avraam Papadopoulos, Holebas, Maniatis, Katsouranis, Karagounis, Ninis, Gekas, Samaras
    • 16.50 Plenty of applause from the UEFA president Michel Platini after the conclusion of the opening ceremony. A full house in for this one. Almost here then. Plenty of expectant fans on both sides today. The red and white of Poland, the blue and white of Greece. Will be interesting to see how this one unravels. Players in the tunnel as we speak.
    • 16.45 The opening ceremony begins. Large bells, some giant cascading strips..a lot of kids running around the pitch....1,000 performers contributing to this opening ceremony.....you get the general picture. And suddenly a guy hits a piano in the middle to pay tribute to Polish composer Frederic Chopin. Marvellous stuff. Before a DJ starts spinning a few tracks on his decks. Who needs football.
    • 16.40 Odds for this one today: Poland evens, Greece 10/3, Draw 11/5...Poland look the likelier side, but the opening match of tournament is traditionally a very nervy and unpredictable affair. My money would be on 1-1. For what it is worth.
    • 16.35 We also have Eurosport's Sean Fay following the Republic of Ireland squad as they return to a major competition for the first time since the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea. They open their tournament against Croatia on Sunday evening. As well as downing a few pints of the black stuff, he will be writing a regular blog on what is going on with all things Irish in Poland..which could get interesting... Lord of Gdansk: McCarthy remembers Euro '88
    • 16.30 Our man in Ukraine is Tom Adams, who is busy sending a few bits and pieces from the front line, so to speak. The opening match of the tournament is in Poland, but Tom has been scribbling down his thoughts on what it all means to the Ukraine. Read his latest offering below. Ukraine aims to come in from the cold
    • 16.25 The big news of the day concerns the Dutch squad and the racist abuse their black players suffered during a training session. Read about it here... Dutch squad report racial abuse
    • 16.20 Greece manager Fernando Santos is hoping to invoke the spirit of the 2004 side which won the tournament in Portugal eight years ago. :  "I think defence has been key to the success of this team, but attack and defence are equally important. If we could only defend we wouldn't be here."
    • 16.15 The Poland manager Franciszek Smuda would dearly love to lead his country out of the group stages. They certainly appear to have a decent chance with Czech Republic and Russia alongside them in a tame-looking Group A. Smuda said: "Just before very important matches I have trouble sleeping, but this team has convinced me that I can rely on them; they have convinced me in every way during the last two and a half years. I just hope that together we will achieve what we desire."
    • 16.10 Poland had doubts over the fitness of defender Damien Perquis as the Sochaux centre-half recovers from an elbow fracture he suffered in March, but he takes his place in the starting line-up. Greece manager Fernando Santos had injury concerns over defender Vassilis Torosidis, who has a knee problem, but he makes it as does Sotiris Ninis, who is set to overcome a shoulder issue to feature. Celtic foward Georgios Samaras is given a start up front for the visitors.
    • 16.05 The referee for today's match is Carlos Velasco Carballo of Spain.
    • 16.00 The teams are in: Poland: 1-Wojciech Szczesny; 20-Lukasz Piszczek, 13-Marcin Wasilewski, 15-Damien Perquis, 2-Sebastian Boenisch; 16-Jakub Blaszczykowski, 7-Eugen Polanski, 11-Rafal Murawski, 8-Maciej Rybus; 10-Ludovic Obraniak; 9-Robert Lewandowski/////Greece: 1-Kostas Chalkias; 15-Vasilis Torosidis, 8-Avraam Papadopoulos, 19-Sokratis Papastathopoulos, 20-Jose Holebas; 2-Giannis Maniatis, 21-Kostas Katsouranis, 10-Giorgos Karagounis; 18-Sotiris Ninis, 17-Fanis Gekas, 7-Giorgos Samaras
    • 16.00 Good afternoon and welcome to LIVE coverage of the opening match of the Euro 2012 finals. Co-hosts Poland face Greece in an eagerly anticipated Group A match at Warsaw's Stadion Narodowy. Can't wait for this one before Czech Republic and Russia continue the action later on this evening. Follow all the matches minute-by-minute with us at Eurosport.

  • Summary

    • 90+1' Katsouranis almost knocks a driven cross into his own net. So close to an own goal that would have handed Poland the three points.
    • 70' Tyton saves the penalty! Karagounis places the penalty to his right, but the goalkeeper went right and saved. Drama in Warsaw.
    • 68' GREECE HAVE A PENALTY! Szczesny has been sent off for bringing down Salpigidis in the box. Both teams with 10 men now. What a transformation in this match.
    • 61' Chance for Samaras as he wallops the shot well wide from the ball by Katsouranis. Lovely ball, but not taken by the Celtic forward.
    • 51' GOAL! Salpigidis slams the ball into the empty net after Szczesny came and missed the cross. 1-1 and Greece are back in this game.
    • 40' Papastathopoulos is off the park! A red card for the Greece defender. Disaster for the visitors.
    • 35' Perquis smashes the ball wide from 12 yards out with the Greece defence again all over the show. Awful finish. Should have been 2-0 to Poland.
    • 15' GOAL! Lewandowski scores for Poland and the party can begin. Fine move and finish with his head. Warsaw is rocking. What a crackling atmosphere! Awful goalkeeping it must be said.
    • 12' Piszczek fires a ball across the face of goal, but just missed Lewandowski as he raced into the box. Poor cross really. Should have been the opener with the Greeks all over the place at the back.
    • 9' Gekas flicks the ball wide from Karagounis's long free-kick into the Polish area. First real chance for the visiting side, but not taken.
    • 4' Lewandowski sees a shot blocked before he rolls the ball back to Murawski, whose shot is tipped over the bar by Chalkias in the visiting goal from the edge of the box. Decent stop by the Greek goalkeeper.
    • 16.55 A quick reminder of those teams for you as the teams enter the arena for the respective national anthems. Poland: Szczesny, Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch, Murawski, Polanski, Blaszczykowski, Obraniak, Rybus, Lewandowski////Greece: Chalkias, Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Avraam Papadopoulos, Holebas, Maniatis, Katsouranis, Karagounis, Ninis, Gekas, Samaras
    • 16.00 The teams are in: Poland: 1-Wojciech Szczesny; 20-Lukasz Piszczek, 13-Marcin Wasilewski, 15-Damien Perquis, 2-Sebastian Boenisch; 16-Jakub Blaszczykowski, 7-Eugen Polanski, 11-Rafal Murawski, 8-Maciej Rybus; 10-Ludovic Obraniak; 9-Robert Lewandowski/////Greece: 1-Kostas Chalkias; 15-Vasilis Torosidis, 8-Avraam Papadopoulos, 19-Sokratis Papastathopoulos, 20-Jose Holebas; 2-Giannis Maniatis, 21-Kostas Katsouranis, 10-Giorgos Karagounis; 18-Sotiris Ninis, 17-Fanis Gekas, 7-Giorgos Samaras

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Poland

    Manager: Franciszek Smuda

  • Greece

    Manager: Fernando Santos

Comment 197 - 217 of 217

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  1. The ref in this match didn't exactly cover himself­ in glory in the Papastathopoulos sending off was a­ total joke. Neither of the two challenges he was­ cautioned for were fouls. However, it did make for a­ greater match than would possibly have occurred if no­ player had been sent off. I doubt if either of these­ two will get through the group. Both the Russians and­ the Czechs were streets better, especially the­ Russians.

    From Barney Rubble, on Sat 9 Jun 14:16

  2. The ref in this game was disgraceful. Completely­ spoiled the game and I though that he looked like that­ rat Michael Moon in Eastenders. Haha.

    From John, on Sat 9 Jun 14:14

  3. Dyscrimination and Racist behave Censorship! Pathetic!­ from Yahoo! Anyway what we expect they are who they­ are!

    From Krzysztof, on Sat 9 Jun 10:35

  4. the Ref rot the match completely.I don't know where­ Mr.Platini got these craps. First,two unjustified­ caution resulting in marching orders for the Greek for­ two imaginary faults. Then s More than justified­ hanball in the penalty box during first time­ stoppage.Moreover these two extras ref behind goal­ lines. What are their roles ? What are they suppose to­ do except being telegraphic posts? What are they paid­ for ? Take this money and invest in electronic­ refereeing please. You are a disgraced disaster Mr­ Platini

    From Treblig, on Sat 9 Jun 8:38

  5. What bad refereing in the opening fixture. The spanish­ refree made the epl referees look like saints. Hope he­ doesn't get any more games.

    From Sudip, on Sat 9 Jun 3:23

  6. Bias game at first half by the Raferee.....

    From Rajamalar, on Sat 9 Jun 2:37

  7. greece

    From Europhile, on Sat 9 Jun 0:19

  8. An opening match could use some more goals and less­ cards. The two teams really need to wake up, because­ Czechs and Russians won't be playing for a draw­ with them.

    From Nnamezie, on Sat 9 Jun 0:02

  9. I saw lots of missed chances, and gameplay can be more­ technical and less physical. I don't believe­ Greece or Poland will win this tournament.

    From Nnamezie, on Fri 8 Jun 23:59

  10. COME ON POLAND !!!gooool

    From Joanna, on Fri 8 Jun 22:34

  11. Well at least we r not the only rubbish here, England­ that is

    From Anthony, on Fri 8 Jun 21:54

  12. OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

    From KITTY, on Fri 8 Jun 19:35

  13. Im still ok after the game if You know what Im mean ;),­ congrats both teams but Im bit dissap with Poland they­ could win 3-0 in first half, anyway come on Poland!!!

    From Peter Gwiazda, on Fri 8 Jun 19:05

  14. Good game.

    From Mr.EvoLuTioN, on Fri 8 Jun 19:01

  15. greece extremely boring italian-like style...poland­ extremely clumsy german-like style

    From NeUr, on Fri 8 Jun 18:59

  16. Arsenal selected wrong polish­ keeper...Szczęsny gave up 1 goal and almost­ gave up another...great first game to euro 2012...

    From Steve, on Fri 8 Jun 18:59

  17. God that was horrible. I gave up. Greece were bad for­ half an hour but the poles showed nothing and the ref­ was a disgrace. On top of that we get those racist­ comments, yuck.

    From jm, on Fri 8 Jun 18:58

  18. 'Live' commentary? Yahoo are about 3 minutes­ behind the action. The teams were off the field by the­ time the reporter filed the end of the game!

    From roger, on Fri 8 Jun 18:56

  19. Hiphoppopodopolous, is coming on

    From Peter C, on Fri 8 Jun 18:55

  20. Well done Greece, that ref was a disgrace, he­ shouldn't avenother game in these championships!

    From steven, on Fri 8 Jun 18:55
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