Breakdown Round 2 - GROUP A

Guess what!? I got a prediction correct! The heavens hath openeth. It was Czech mate against the Greeks and the game was over in the first 6 minutes. I was not excited about this game at all, at all but after Jiracek and Pilar smashed in 2 goals in quick succession and Greece looked to have left their defenders at home to protect their banks, I was half-expecting Czech Republic to 'do  a Russia' but no. They used up their entire excitement quota and the rest of the game was the dull affair I was expecting. It is a huge win for the Czechs and the group really is wide open. With Greece facing Russia, you can't help feel it will be between Poland on 2 points and the Czech Republic on 3 to battle it out for second so their game will be a very interesting one. Greece did manage to get back into the game and looked more lively after half-time. They had had a goal disallowed and then an absolute balls-up by Cech the Czech gifted them a goal on a plate. Usually rock solid in between the sticks, Cech had a bad game against Russia and against Greece he let the ball slip between his hands straight to the feet of Gekas who only had an open net to beat. Greece's 4 strikers could not find another way past the Czech defense though and the Czechs held out for a 2-1 win. I said it would happen.

Man Of The Match: Jiracek

Here's one I did not predict correctly, one goal a piece between Russia and Poland and, dare I say it, the Poles looked the more dangerous out of the 2. After the thumping Russia gave the Czech Republic, I felt a little nervous for Poland who, after starting brightly against Greece, had tired into the latter phases of the game. They burst out of the blocks against Russia and I was again nervous that they would use up all of their energy and Russia would punish them badly. I was wrong. There were moments they faded but with smarter substitutions and the crowd lifting them, Poland fought until the bitter end. It was a brilliant game. Poland v Russia was the one the police were nervous about and the fans did not disappoint with kick offs not being limited to the pitch. Whoever thought it would be wise to allow 5,000 Russian fans march through the city before the game is an absolute idiot and things soon turned violent. That aside, the Polish team will hopefully have given their fans a beacon of light to hold onto as a win against the Czech Republic will carry them through to the final 8. Lewandowski, Polanski and Obraniak all had brilliant games and Blaszczykowski, who had had a quiet time to start, scored a belter of a goal.

Advocaat insisted on starting again with Kerzhakov (you know that dude that missed 7 chances in his first game?) who had a wasteful day and Arshavin, having played superbly against Czech Republic, had a bit of an Arsenal day. Dzagoev looks like a contender for the golden boot after again finding the back of the net and nearly had another chance in the second half but, after Poland equalised the score, it really was Poland that were on top. Russia looked very much to tire after having bundles of energy in their first game.

Man Of The Match: Blaszczykowski/Obraniak