Russia enjoying positive progress since Euro 2008
The Russians have considerably grown in confidence since captivating the public’s attention at Euro 2008. Bouncing back from a heavy 4-1 defeat against Spain in their opening fixture was never an easy task. In fact, pundits immediately ruled Russia out.
However, decent victories against then-reigning European champions Greece and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden ensured the Russian’s first qualification from the group stage in 16 years. Against all the odds, underdogs Russia went on to oust pre-Euro 2008 favourites Netherlands.
In what was arguably the match of the competition, the Eastern Europeans secured a dramatic 3-1 victory over the Dutch in extra-time. In the semi-finals, Russia met Spain again. Once again, the latter beat the former by a 3-goal margin.
This defeat apparently made the Russians stronger. Although they did not qualify for the next major tournament – in other words, the 2010 FIFA World Cup – Russia did not give up on chasing a bright future. If they are part of the 2012 European Championship, it is because they surely deserve it.
From Matchday 1 in the qualifiers, the goal was to finish as group winners and not runners-up; that was the plan to avoid the possible agony of losing in a two-legged play-off tie just like it happened against Slovenia in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification play-offs.
Russia have a terrific defensive record and an attack led by national team key players Andriy Arshavin and Alexander Kerzhakov. With all due respect to their Euro 2012 group opponents Poland, Greece and the Czech Republic, Russia deserve to be tagged Group A favourites.
The Russians have not lost any of their UEFA Euro 2012 warm-up matches. They avoided defeat against Copa America titleholders Uruguay in a 1-1 draw on May 25. Then after drawing goalless against Lithuania a few days later, Russia ended their Euro 2012 preparations with a slick 3-0 defeat of 2006 FIFA World Cup champions Italy.
A piece of advice departing coach Dick Advocaat might tell his players during the tournament in Poland and Ukraine is, ‘keep doing what you do best’.
Poland poised to join Russia into the quarter-finals
What will inspire Poland throughout their Euro 2012 campaign is the support of their home fans. After years of construction work, the country is now ready to host the continent’s biggest international football championship.
It will now be up to Poland’s national team to continue this huge project by hitting good standards on the pitch so as to gain more respect from the public.
The momentum is high in the camp ahead of the big kick-off on June 8. Poland are fresh from defeating Latvia, Slovakia and Andorra on the trot without conceding a goal.
Against Greece, the Euro 2012 co-hosts will be tested to the limit. Do the Polish have the nerves to cap off a ceremonious opening to the tournament with victory on June 8?
Eight years on and the Greeks are still buzzing from their 2004 European Championship triumph in Portugal. They know very well how to beat a host nation; they did it twice against the Portuguese and they would like to punish Poland as well.
Greece have their name written in history books as past winners of Europe's prestigious cup. Everyone is aware of the harm that they could cause in this year’s tournament. Expect co-hosts Poland to be armed to the teeth come June 8 because if the Greeks are underdogs, they perhaps have mouths to bite hard.
Meanwhile, the Czechs are not to be underestimated. Unlike Poland, they can boast about having played knock-out stage football in the competition before. However, they did flop in Austria-Switzerland and their results in pre-Euro 2012 friendly matches are not encouraging.
They enter Poland-Ukraine with a miserable 2-1 defeat against Hungary on their backs. Milan Baros’ input on the offensive may not be enough for the Czechs to get goals. It looks like the pressure is centred on midfielder Tomas Rosicky and Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech. Unless they decide to use negative tactics, the Czechs may have to suffer a negative UEFA Euro 2012 campaign.
Group A teams previous UEFA Euro record
Poland: 1 appearance; 2008 (group stage)
Russia: 9 appearances; 1960 (champions), 1964 (runners-up), 1968 (fourth place), 1972 (runners-up), 1988 (runners-up), 1992 (group stage), 1996 (group stage), 2004 (group stage), 2008 (semi-final).
Greece: 3 appearances; 1980 (group stage), 2004 (champions), 2008 (group stage)
Czech Republic: 4 appearances; 1996 (runners-up), 2000 (group stage), 2004 (semi-final), 2008 (group stage)
Group A matches schedule
June 8, 2012: Poland vs Greece
June 8, 2012: Russia vs Czech Republic
June 12, 2012: Greece vs Czech Republic
June 12, 2012: Poland vs Russia
June 16, 2012: Czech Republic vs Poland
June 16, 2012: Greece vs Russia
Prediction
• Russia will qualify as winners of Group A.
• Poland will finish as runners-up only if the outcome of their opening game against Greece is positive.
• If the Greeks or the Czechs are to qualify for the quarter-finals, they will leave it late.
Team profiles, news, editorials, live streaming and TV schedule info: find all you need and more on our UEFA Euro 2012 page.
