Poland
I actually don't mind Poland at all and have them on to come second in this group. They haven't had a great recent history in the land of football, but manager, Franciszek Smuda, seems to have got a much better team together. Before I continue, you will soon realise Poland have had all members of the team change their names to be as long and complicated as possible. This is because they a) hate commentators and b) realise they aren't that great at football and there is a lot to be said for winning the Group Scramble Championships in Kyrgyzstan later this year. They will have a huge advantage playing at home and having home support to power them on and have actually won all 3 of their pre-Euro's matches, only having 1 defeat out of their last nine games! Not bad, Poland! They do lack a certain amount of experience, intelligence and, at times, cohesion with the team seeming to work in 2 separate teams of defense and attack with little flowing inbetween. Germany have a lot of influence over this entire competition and Poland are not exempt from that; relying heavily on Blaszczykowski, Piszczek and Lewandowski who all play for title-winning team, Borussia Dortmund. Lewandowski is the best player in the team and last season he not only scored 22 goals but also won Player of the Season award. He's hard to mark and a massive threat on goal. They are not the strongest team, but they are not in the strongest group and if their form continues, they should be able to edge through the group stages. I also really like their kit.
Russia
Russia are the bookies favourites to win this group and they are certainly the most experienced, even if this also means most aging. I find them very boring indeed and really have very little to say about them. Dick Advocatt's team generally struggle to score and it says a lot when you heavily rely on Arshavin. He can do well on an international stage, and no doubt Russia will do enough to get through these initial games but after that it'll be a free for all. Dzagoev could be a player to watch out for, being very young and having an attacking flair.
Czech Republic
Another quite dull offering in Group A. Michal Bilek's team do offer the likes of Plasil and Rosicky (who has really come on over the last year) and nobody could look over spiderman Petr Cech who is never easy to defeat in goal. They are one of the classier sides in this group but still play quite regimented Eastern European football which is a running them in Group A. They have a decent midfield but quite often Bilek prefers a lone striker which can mean a lack of goals. Another running theme. God I will not be watching these games. CSKA Moscow player Necid could be a potential scorer and has done fantastically for his young age, however, he is only back from injury and a lack of support going forward may prove a challenge too much.
Greece
Oh Greece. Suprise Euro 2004 winners Greece probably are going to attack this competition the same way they did back then - by not attacking. In fact, it appears that even with a change of manger in the form of Fernando Santos, Greece know only one way to play football. You defend, you defend, you defend and then you defend some more. Then you go hell for leather, batshit crazy on set pieces and get all your men flailing their heads around furiously in hope of connecting with a ball and sending it goalwards. Failing that, you get your arses back and defend! They are a tough team to beat and very determinedly set in their ways, but I would hope they would not get past the group stages really. Ninis in midfield might show signs of excitement being a very pacey, young midfielder but I hold out little hope.
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