June 16, 201214 yr Been really disappointed with Poland in this second half. Really expected so much more but the Czech Republic have just ascended in their control of the game.
June 16, 201214 yr Russia keep trying to pass through the center, and it's just not working. Greece are as comfortable now as they've been all game.
June 16, 201214 yr Hopefully there will be no Czech collapse like 4 years ago against Turkey. Poland can't do anything to worry Cech at all.
June 16, 201214 yr Czechs have started to play some decent football now they've heard about Greece. Russia could be in trouble if there's a goal in this game. Nice prophecy, Ian!:D
June 16, 201214 yr Sod off Russia! :laugh3: Who put a bet on Russia not making the knock outs after that 4-1 victory? Fantastic turn around in this group we are about to see. Keep it cool Czech Republic. Don't do anything ridiculous.
June 16, 201214 yr They are through! Header off the line by Kadlec in the last two seconds! Hearts in your mouth moment! Greece about to join them?!
June 16, 201214 yr What a turn around! The Czech's and the Greeks through to the knock outs! Greece against the odds once again! Don't like Russia so I'm pretty pleased! Cocky so and so's after that victory last Friday.
June 16, 201214 yr If we go through to the next round tomorrow we will play against the Czech Republic.
June 16, 201214 yr Well. That was a bit unexpected! All we need now is Denmark to beat Germany and Portugal to win. Then Germany are out as well!!
June 16, 201214 yr The Dutch will need a rocket up their arse to get anything out of it. They can start by dropping Van Persie. He's been naff.
June 16, 201214 yr The Dutch will need a rocket up their arse to get anything out of it. They can start by dropping Van Persie. He's been naff. Van Persie? He's not been great but it's Robben who has been appalling! Continued the shit he showed against Chelsea last month in the CL Final.
June 16, 201214 yr All we need now is Denmark to beat Germany and Portugal to win. Then Germany are out as well!! Uh, no, because Germany beat Portugal, and unlike the world cup, who beat who is more important than goal differential. Some one slap me if I'm wrong.
June 16, 201214 yr Uh, no, because Germany beat Portugal, and unlike the world cup, who beat who is more important than goal differential. Some one slap me if I'm wrong. Nope, not wrong. That's why Russia is out and Greece still in.
June 16, 201214 yr I certainly wouldn't cry if Germany was out. They're a massive threat. I have to say I'm happy for Greece. Not because I'm cheering for them per se, but because that country needs a reason to smile and they got one today. :)
June 16, 201214 yr Nope, not wrong. That's why Russia is out and Greece still in. Its a bit more convoluted because of Denmark. If Denmark beat Germany they go above them on goals head-head. Portugal are already above Denmark on head-head. So if Portugal win & Germany lose they will top the group... maybe! BBC website...Germany Win - Secures qualification and top spot. Draw - Secures qualification and top spot. Lose - Through with a 3-2 defeat, or a higher-scoring one-goal loss. Otherwise, out if Portugal beat Netherlands, but through if the Portuguese do not claim three points. Then again that could all be bollocks!! :) They should just do it on goal difference. Would make for better games. More incentive...
June 17, 201214 yr Full reports Greece stun Russia to go through Greece 1-0 Russia Wasteful Russia v Greece •Attempts on goal: 31 •Shots on target: 2 •Shots off target: 17 •Blocked shots: 12 Source: Opta Sports Giorgos Karagounis scored the only goal as Greece produced a major shock to knock Russia out of Euro 2012 and seal their place in the quarter-finals. Russia had dominated the game before Karagounis pounced on a Sergei Ignashevich error to drill in a shot. Roman Shirokov had earlier been denied a penalty after claiming a push by Karagounis, who himself had a strong spot-kick shout waved away later on. Giorgos Tzavellas struck the post with a free-kick as Greece secured victory. Alan Dzagoev sent a late header wide from an Andrey Arshavin cross but Russia struggled to break down a resolute Greece and their first defeat in 17 games cost them dearly. They finished on the same points in Group A as second-placed Greece but were eliminated because of their head-to-head record. It was a remarkable turnaround for both sides as Russia had been tipped as potential tournament winners after beating the Czech Republic 4-1 in their opening game. Greece, on the other hand, were given little chance of making it through to the last eight after winning a solitary point from their first two matches. But the underdogs - who ground their way to unlikely Euro 2004 glory by relying on a stubborn defence and catching teams out on the counter-attack or with set-pieces - again managed to spring a big surprise. They knew only a win against Russia would be enough to get into the quarter-finals and they started positively. Kostas Katsouranis had a glanced shot from a Karagounis corner palmed away by keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev, and Vassilis Torossidis had a shot blocked. But as the game progressed, the Greeks sat back, happy to soak up the pressure while trying to catch their opponents out on the break. Dick Advocaat's Russia were allowed to pass and probe, quickly threatening as Arshavin's prodded shot was saved by keeper Michalis Sifakis. Aleksandr Kerzakhov fired a sweet shot agonisingly wide before Shirokov was denied a penalty for what appeared a clear push by Karagounis. A Zhirkov 22-yard shot went just over and Russia's failure to convert their domination into goals was punished by an unlikely goal for Greece. Russian defender Ignashevich missed a headed clearance from a Greece throw-in and Karagounis, who was making a record-equalling 120th appearance for his country, raced clear before finishing with a great deal of composure. The strike stunned Russia and Zhrikov was nutmegged by Torossidis, whose low cross was crucially intercepted by Aleksandr Anyukov with Fanis Gekas waiting to tap in. Russia were now on the backfoot and Karagounis had strong claims for a penalty when he appeared to be tripped by Ignashevich. Instead, referee Jonas Eriksson booked the Greece captain for diving, leaving Karagounis furious before being substituted. The midfielder's frenzied protests almost had him tearing his hair out in despair as he also ran to the fourth official to complain. His yellow card also means he will miss the quarter-final. Russia, though, could not find the creativity to break down Greece and secure an equaliser. Indeed Greece came closest to scoring when a Tzavellas effort struck the woodwork. But Karagounis's solitary effort turned out to be decisive and Greece will now play the winners of Group B - who will be Germany, Denmark or Portugal. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18138461
June 17, 201214 yr full reports Czechs knock out co-hosts Poland Czech Republic 1-0 Poland Czech landmarks •This is the second time Czech Republic have qualified from a Euro group stage with a negative goal difference (also in 1996). •Czech Republic are only the second side to top a group at the Euros despite conceding five goals (after Spain in 2000). Source: Opta Sports Petr Jiracek scored the only goal of a scrappy game in Wroclaw to break Polish hearts and send Czech Republic into the quarter-finals as winners of Group A. The Wolfsburg midfielder poked the ball beyond Poland goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton 18 minutes from time to dump the co-hosts out of Euro 2012. Poland came into the game knowing that a win would have taken them into the last eight for the first time. Captain Jakub Blaszczykowski had a last-gasp effort cleared off the line. But Poland were left to rue enough missed chances to have rescued matters long before then. The co-hosts had dominated the first half, creating and then spurning a series of opportunities that would ultimately cost them dear. As the game wore on, Michal Bilek's Czech side turned the momentum their way to leave their opponents and a nation inconsolable at the final whistle. The Czechs will now play the runners-up from Group B, likely to be either Portugal or Denmark, although the Netherlands also have a chance. For Poland, the result was all the more painful with this billed a historic night, a night when a nation came together in an effort to write their own feel-good story. Before kick-off a vast red-and-white flag was unfurled in the stands. It had taken 30 seamstresses three days to produce at the cost of £15,000 and though it carried no slogan, the message was clear. A nation expected. Poland coach Franciszek Smuda had spoken of a fear that his side might be "paralysed by pressure". His words were ultimately to prove prophetic, yet in the early stages Poland were tremendous. Sharper to the ball and swifter to use it, the co-hosts immediately found their fluency. Their attacking play was rapier sharp, their movement inventive. But while Poland's attacking quartet created a succession of clear-cut chances in an opening half-hour they dictated, all of them were, crucially, spurned. Striker Robert Lewandowski had the best of them, linking up delightfully with Blaszczykowski only to slice a left-footed shot wide of the upright under pressure from Theodor Gebre Selassie. Ludovic Obraniak's left-footed free-kicks were also a constant threat for Poland and twice almost brought goals. The first curled narrowly wide of Cech's post, the second was blocked on its path to goal, before Sebastian Boenisch fired the rebound narrowly wide. But just as the thunder and lightning started to rumble in the skies over Wroclaw, the momentum began to swing. Poland crumbled as Czech Republic turned the tide in a way that defied logic. The force, long absent, was with them now with the impish figure of Vaclav Pilar pulling the strings as the red shirts poured forward time and again, scattering white shirts like laundry torn from a washing line. But while the Czechs were a constant danger now, it was news of a Greek goal in Warsaw that really changed the landscape of Group A at half-time, with both sides left knowing only a win would be enough. If the opening exchanges had been accompanied by the overwhelming passion of the home support, the second half was played to a soundtrack of hushed tension. David Limbersky's surging runs tore the Poland defence apart time and again, while the tireless Pilar probed and prodded in midfield. For long periods, Poland were pinned deep in their own half. First Pilar's scrambled shot was cleared, before Gebre Selassie rose to head narrowly over. Poland goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton was forced into a point-blank save when Tomas Sivok headed goalwards moments later but hope was visibly draining from the Polish players. On the rare occasions they did break forward passes were misplaced, mistakes crept in. It was from one such rare attack that the Czech Republic struck the blow that would decide the game. On this occasion it was Rafal Murawski who lost the ball - and the Czechs broke with devastating speed. Milan Baros, for so long a bystander, beat his man and found Jiracek who broke into the penalty area, cut cleverly away from Boenisch's despairing tackle and rolled the ball into the net. Tempers flared and frustrations boiled over as Poland began to recognise their fate. But they battled on in the knowledge one goal could still deny the Czechs their place in the last eight. In the final minute Blaszczykowski found space in the area and managed to dink the ball over Cech. The ball appeared goalbound but Michal Kadlec appeared from nowhere to divert the ball to safety and secure the Czechs safe passage on a night of high drama. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18138771
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