Poland got off to a great start and no doubt were helped along by the electric atmosphere around them. They did flag a bit in the second half but hopefully in their next 2 games, Smuda might think about using his substitutes more wisely. There is no reason Poland can't get through. They certainly aren't the most skillfull team but their Borussia Dortmund trio gave them some direction and they were commanding in the first 45 minutes and the huge home support could help them through. They have a point to work with and, seeing as I can't see either Greece or Poland beating Russia, it will be down to how well they can play against the Czech Republic. If Greece fail to beat the Czechs tonight, it really will be game on.
Man Of The Team: Lewandowski
Greece also got off to a good start, bagging a point. They took their time to get into the game and again, the standard of football played was not exceptionally high, but they were more attacking that I was expecting. If they can build on this, they still have a game to ease them in a bit more before they face Russia. They really had a tough first half with almost all decisions going against them and to come out in the second half, a man down, and go and show such passion was fantastic and could carry them through the group stages.
Man Of The Team: Salpingidis
Well, Russia! They must have had the game of the tournament and just unleashed havoc against Czech Republic. Favourites going into the competition, I thought they would get through but I never expected they would go about doing so in such an electric fashion. Special mention to Dzagoev who lived up to expectation and was just fantastic for his mere 22-years and worked fantastically with Arshavin, who also had a belter of a game. Kerzhakov had a dismal game, missing 7 chances but his replacement Pavlyuchenko had a memorable time of the pitch. He set up Davgoev for a goal and then scored, what has so far been my goal of the Euro's, an unstoppable goal into the top corner. They were really looking good.
Man Of The Team: Dzagoev
Czech Republic did have a pretty miserable start to the game but it's not all doom and gloom and at least they know that the worst is over. Russia could quite easily go onto demolish Greece and Poland so the Czechs need to dust themselves off and move on quickly. They have Greece tonight which they could gain some points from. At the start of both halves, they were actually the better team on the pitch. From the off they appeared organised and dominant and Jiracek and Plasil showed some good link up play. They need to stay confident, stay organised and go forward with belief they can do this. They were quite unfortunate to be the first team to be playing Russia but the future is definitely orange.
Man Of The Team: Plasil
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