Euro 2012 Group A
GROUP A
[Team Jersey Images © Soccerphile]
Poland
The draw has been kind to the joint hosts and fervent home support could see the 40/1 outsiders for the tournament advance from a group that includes Russia, Greece and the Czech Republic. Poland's coach Franciszek Smuda has problems in defence and will rely on Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski as a lone striker to provide the goals from assists by his club colleague Jakub Blaszczykowski, who has had an excellent season in the Bundesliga. Since being named co-hosts, Poland have played 19 times, winning six, losing five and eight draws, losing just one of their last eight friendlies to Italy.
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Poland Kit 1 |
Poland Kit 2 |
Poland v Greece 8 June; Warsaw
Poland v Russia 12 June; Warsaw
Poland v Czech Republic 16 June; Wroclaw
Coach
Franciszek Smuda
Record
1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 Did not qualify, 2008 Group stage
Men to watch
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski, Anderlecht stopper Marcin Wasilewski, Poland Player of the Year in 2011, Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski
Could make it out of the group on the back of strong home support but it's going to be tough.
Euro 2012 Betting
How they qualified
Poland qualified automatically as co-hosts with Ukraine.
On the sidelines
Poland will stay at the Hyatt Regency in Warsaw and train at Polonia Warsaw's stadium.
Analysis
Russia
Russia have a number of good options upfront including Aleksandr Kerzhakov, Fulham's Pavel Pogrebnyak and ex-Tottenham Roman Pavlyuchenko but in qualifying Russia struggled for goals. At the back the cupboard is much barer. Advocaat favors a 4-3-3 formation with the two full backs getting forward. Expectations are not high and Russia will probably not repeat their performance at Euro 2008 where they reached the semis. Advocaat will step down as coach after the tournament.
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Russia Kit 1 |
Russia Kit 2 |
Russia v Czech Republic 8 June; Wroclaw
Russia v Poland 12 June; Warsaw
Russia v Greece 16 June; Warsaw
Coach
Record
Did not qualify 1976, 1980, 1984, 2000; Group stage 1992, 1996, 2004, Semi-finals 1968, 2008; Runners-up 1964, 1972, 1988; Champions 1960
Men to watch
Zenit's trio of Andrei Arshavin, Aleksandr Anyukov and Aleksandr Kerzhakov.
We predict Russia will come second in Group A.
How they qualified
Topped Qualifying Group B ahead of the Republic of Ireland and Slovakia.
On the sidelines
Russia will stay at the Le Meridien Bristol Hotel in Warsaw.
Analysis
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic play a 4-2-3-1 formation and much will depend on the form of Arsenal playmaker Tomas Rosicky, who pulls the strings in midfield. Young CSKA striker Tomas Necid is an exciting talent but is coming back from injury so veteran Milan Baros is likely to fill the lone striker role.
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Czech Republic Kit 1
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Czech Republic Kit 2
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Czech Republic v Russia 8 June; Wroclaw
Czech Republic v Greece 12 June; Wroclaw
Czech Republic v Poland; 16 June; Wroclaw
Coach
Michal Bilek
Record
1960 Third place, 1964, 1968, 1972 Did not qualify, 1976 Champions, 1980 Third place, 1984, 1988, 1992 Did not qualify as Czechoslovakia*
Men to watch
Chelsea's Petr Cech, CSKA striker Tomas Necid and attacking full back Michal Kadlec.
We think they'll struggle to get out of the group.
How they qualified
The Czech Republic came through a play-off after finishing second in Group I behind Spain.
On the sidelines
The Czech Republic are based at the Hotel Monopol in Wroclaw and will train at the Stadion Oporowska.
Analysis
Greece
Greece are more attacking under Portuguese coach Santos than his predecessor and Euro 2004 winner Otto Rehhagel. Favouring a 4-3-3 system, Santos will rely on veterans Katsouranis and Karagounis in midfield and hope young star Sotoris Ninis has fully recovered from injury.
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Greece Kit 1
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Greece Kit 2
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Greece v Poland v 8 June; Warsaw
Greece v Czech Republic 12 June; Wroclaw
Greece v Russia 16 June; Wroclaw
Coach
Fernando Santos
Record
1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, Did not qualify, 1980, 2008 Group stage; 2004 Winners
Men to watch
Olympiakos duo of Giannis Fetfatzidis and Giannis Maniatis.
Will Greece give their debt-ridden country some reasons to smile this summer or suffer an early exit from the Euros? We think rock bottom of the group.
How they qualified
Topped Group F ahead of Croatia.
On the sidelines
Greece will be based just outside Warsaw at the Hotel Warszawianka Serock and will practice at the Miejski Stadion.
Analysis