Dzagoev shines once more for Russia

Alan Dzagoev headed the Castrol EDGE Index for the second successive game as his attacking efforts helped Russia earn a draw against an impressive Poland side in Warsaw. 

 

 Alan Dzagoev's reputation is blossoming at UEFA EURO 2012, and the talented youngster stood out once again as Russia were held in a hard-fought 1-1 draw by Poland in Warsaw.

After his goalscoring heroics in Russia's emphatic opening win, much was expected of the 21-year-old in this Group A clash between the co-hosts and their neighbours. Neither Dzagoev, nor the match, disappointed and the PFC CSKA Moskva man ended an enthralling encounter at the top of the Castrol EDGE Index for the second game in succession with a score of 9.06.

Before Poland levelled, it looked like the script had changed little for Russia. Dick Advocaat's charges brought dynamism in attack, and the same man opened the scoring, Dzagoev nodding in Andrey Arshavin's free-kick for his third goal of the tournament.

Indeed Dzagoev's performance was a near replica of his first. His link-up play was exceptional – he had seven incisive runs and deliveries (dwarfing the tournament average of 4.73) and six of those were into the final third. As in his first game, he refused to waste a chance, hitting the target with each his three shots – the only Russian to do so.

Unfortunately for his team, however, the similarities with the opening day ended with Dzagoev's sterling efforts, as an impressive Poland earned a point. Poles made up the rest of the top five, with Sebastian Boenisch (8.81) and Marcin Wasilewski (8.65) finishing second and third respectively.

Castrol EDGE Index: Poland v Russia
1. Alan Dzagoev (RUS) 9.02
2. Sebastian Boenisch (POL) 8.81
3. Marcin Wasilewski (POL) 8.65
4. Damien Perquis (POL) 8.44
5. Robert Lewandowski (POL) 8.3

Key facts
0 – Poland join Romania, Switzerland and Turkey as sides who have failed to win any of their first five games in UEFA European Championship final tournaments.
3 – Russia now boast both the top scorer (Dzagoev, three) and assist-maker (Arshavin, three) at UEFA EURO 2012.
11 – Russia forward Aleksandr Kerzhakov has now had 11 shots without getting one on target at UEFA EURO 2012 (nine off target, two blocked).
5 – Advocaat's side have been nothing if not clinical, converting five of the seven shots that they have fired on target so far at the EURO.
6 – Poland's nine shots on target forced Russian goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev into six saves.

Player view
Sebastian Boenisch: "At half-time we said that even though we were 1-0 down, it didn't mean anything and that we would go back out and fight. That is what we did in the second half."

Russia rue missed opportunity

Russia's players departed the National Stadium Warsaw with the feeling, in the words of keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev, they had "dropped two points" following their 1-1 draw with Poland. 

 

 

Russia's players departed the National Stadium Warsaw disappointed to have surrendered the lead against Poland and, in the words of goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev, "dropped two points" in their 1-1 draw. Although the result kept them top of Group A, captain Andrey Arshavin was also dissatisfied, claiming they were too open against the tournament co-hosts.

Vyacheslav Malafeev, Russia goalkeeper
I think judging by how the game developed, we dropped two points. We couldn't hold the advantage, as Poland pushed for a goal right after we'd scored, with their home advantage. I don't think they had [such] an impressive game and we could have gone on and won the match. I think it's always difficult to play in such an atmosphere. They counterattacked well, while on many occasions we weren't as quick as we'd like. We played better and faster against the Czechs.

Andrey Arshavin, Russia forward
I think we played a little too openly in the second half, and we allowed Poland to counter, which they love to do and are used to doing. Unfortunately, they got a goal. We also had chances but we could not put enough pressure on their goal.

Roman Shirokov, Russia midfielder
The Poles stepped it up [in the second half]. We fell back and started to make mistakes. We didn't create anything and it was a good goal [by them]. We can score goals, but there were not enough final balls today. We were supposed to play and create chances. We scored one goal, and then we stopped running, chasing the second one, and eventually they succeeded in scoring, and that's it.

Aleksandr Kerzakhov, Russia forward
At half-time the game was ours. I wouldn't say that there wasn't a collapse, they just succeeded in scoring the equaliser and after that nobody wanted to risk too much. Everything was more difficult than in the match against the Czech Republic but we still had our chance to score the second goal. We were lacking something in the final few metres.

Poland pleased with Russia point

Optimism reigns in the Poland camp after their 1-1 draw against Russia, with defender Sebastian Boenisch now looking forward to "a real final" against the Czech Republic on Saturday. 

 

 There was obvious contentment in the Poland camp after Jakub Błaszczykowski's thunderous drive salvaged a 1-1 draw against Group A leaders Russia in Warsaw. Defender Sebastian Boenisch concluded that the co-hosts "can be satisfied" with the result and is now looking forward to "a real final" on Saturday, when Franciszek Smuda's men must beat the Czech Republic in their final pool outing to reach the last eight.

Sebastian Boenisch, Poland defender
Well I think it was a very nice match for us, and for the fans. We had to give our best. We fell behind in the first half from a set piece. The Russians hadn't created a chance up to that point. At half-time we then said that although we were 1-0 down, it didn't mean anything and that we'd go out again and fight – and that's what we did in the second half.

We managed to fight back. We played attacking football and even wanted to score the second. I think we can be satisfied with the 1-1 draw and now we have a real final against the Czech Republic.

Jakub Błaszczykowski, Poland midfielder
It was a very difficult match. The Russians have shown that they are a very good side. I've just seen my goal on TV. I think I got a good pass from Eugen [Polanski], I moved towards the centre and hit it towards the far post. The goalkeeper didn't have much chance, really. A very beautiful goal.

The group situation is interesting. Even the Russians cannot be sure. Everything is open, but what happened tonight is now history. We are focused on what's coming up and will do everything to beat the Czech Republic. We are full of optimism ahead of that match. With support from the stands like we received tonight, I believe we will take the historic step of reaching the quarter-finals in Wroclaw.

Rafał Murawski, Poland midfielder
I'm very positive about how the match panned out – it was a very good game with a nice high tempo. Both sides had decent chances and it must have been a good game to watch. I think the fans will have enjoyed it.

The Russians are strong – we knew that before their match against the Czechs – but I think we played well and were solid tactically. We had watched their previous games and they played exactly the way we expected them to. We did our job really well and it was an even match.

We wanted to sit a bit deeper and deny them dangerous counterattacks. It worked really well and we had chances in both halves. The Czech Republic game is now, of course, a very important game. Who knows, maybe the most important game in recent years. We have to win and this is what we are going to Wroclaw to do. The Czechs are within our reach, but they do play good football.

Smuda relieved, Advocaat frustrated

Franciszek Smuda was delighted that "the pressure is dipping" around his Poland side but their 1-1 draw with Russia left opposite number Dick Advocaat feeling short-changed. 

 Poland coach Franciszek Smuda was delighted to feel the pressure around his side receding following their spirited 1-1 draw with Russia in UEFA EURO 2012 Group A. His opposite number, Dick Advocaat, meanwhile, came away a little disappointed not to have taken more from a game he felt his side dominated.

Franciszek Smuda, Poland coach
The pressure is always there. It is not getting any greater – in fact it was probably at its worst before the first game. Now that the tournament is up and running, and the first game is out of the way, the adrenalin level is lower and the pressure is dipping. Now we have a few days to prepare and to rest, to recover and regain our freshness. [The suspended] Wojciech Szczęsny is our No1 goalkeeper and there is no doubt about that, so there is a chance that he will return for the next game.

The supporters were behind us, and that was great, but it was the same in the first match. They were good all the way through that first game too. Any problems we had in the second half against Greece were our own fault. The open roof changes the conditions, though. We had much more air – we could run faster. When it comes to preparing for the next game, we will have to wait until our injured players have been examined by the team doctor so we know if there is anything serious we have to contend with. We will find that out tomorrow afternoon.

We have played a lot of good matches. In 2011 we came together to build a new team, and when you do that you do not always play perfectly. It is getting better and better. Today's match proved that we are good enough to win against the Czech Republic. Our team can see that we have a chance of reaching the knockout stage and we will do everything we can to use that chance.

Dick Advocaat, Russia coach
Russia were the better team and Igor Denisov had a very good game, but when you score a goal like [Jakub Błaszczykowski] did, you must be a good player. It was a nice goal. Maybe he was man of the match officially, but for us Denisov was the best player.

I thought Russia were a better team than Poland today, but it was a very good game and we played really well, and it was a pretty good result because they had 40,000 people behind them, and that is a big advantage. The first win was nice, and I really thought this one was going to end 1-0 because we controlled the game. We won that first game 4-1, but this one was like an away game, and you just have to accept that their equaliser was a beautiful goal. If you are objective, you would say that both teams worked hard, but Russia had more possession and created more, but you have to give both sides credit for the way they played.

Was Andrey Arshavin getting tired at the end? I get tired too, but I carry on. He was one of our most dangerous players. He made a few mistakes defensively but he is so sharp on the ball. I did think about substituting him, but every time he got the ball something happened, so I didn't. I don't want to talk about individuals. Alan Dzagoev is a good player, sure, and he scored, but we all need to be equally good in the next game on Saturday. For me, Russia are the best team in the tournament so far in terms of the way we have played. What did I say to Franciszek Smuda on the way out of the press conference? I wished him a pleasant evening!

Błaszczykowski strike reins Russia in

Poland 1-1 Russia
Jakub Błaszczykowski struck a superb second-half equaliser to keep Poland's hopes intact as Russia failed to build on Alan Dzagoev's opener.

Co-hosts Poland know they will reach the last eight of UEFA EURO 2008 with victory against the Czech Republic on Saturday after Jakub Błaszczykowski cancelled out Alan Dzagoev's 37th-minute opener in this Group A game at the National Stadium Warsaw.

Russia rode some early pressure before taking a lead through the tournament's leading scorer, Alan Dzagoev, but having failed to find a finishing touch after breaching the Poland defence on numerous occasions, Dick Advocaat's side fell prey to a passionate second-half rally, with home captain Błaszczykowski thudding a powerful effort past Vyacheslav Malafeev on 57 minutes.

For the first time in a UEFA European Championship finals, Russia fielded the same starting XI in consecutive games, with Advocaat selecting Aleksandr Kerzhakov despite some wayward finishing in their opening 4-1 win against the Czech Republic. With Przemysław Tytoń replacing the suspended Wojciech Szczęsny, Poland's only outfield adjustment saw AJ Auxerre midfielder Dariusz Dudka step in for the less experienced Maciej Rybus.

As they had against Greece on Friday, Franciszek Smuda's side shaped up fast, and might have gone in front after six minutes, Malafeev scrambling the ball away with his foot after Sebastian Boenisch met Ludovic Obraniak's free-kick from the right. Robert Lewandowski came within two metres of the goal of his life when he volleyed over the bar from distance in the 11th minute, and Poland then had the ball in the net but Eugen Polanski's effort was chalked off for offside.

It was the culmination of a darting move which the Russians would have been proud of, and a sign that while they may have lacked their opponents' innate menace, Poland's passion can move mountains. Under pressure, though, they never seemed comfortable; with Andrey Arshavin insinuating his way into the game, Poland's rearguard foundation creaked.

Saving tackles and Russia's haphazard finishing papered over the cracks, but the whole edifice buckled on 37 minutes, when Arshavin man whipped in a free-kick from the left, which Dzagoev darted in from nowhere to nudge around Przemysław Tytoń. Not a big man, the PFC CSKA Moskva forward, but he is indisputably clever and has three goals at UEFA EURO 2012 already.

Poland's response was suitably spirited, Malafeev diving to force a powerful Obraniak drive away. They twice picked out Lewandowski in the box just after the restart, though the lone wolf forward was denied a shot on both occasions. Russia looked like they could shred their opponents on the break, but that was not Poland's concern; optimism drove them forward, and their slightly reckless spirit was rewarded on 57 minutes when Błaszczykowski took the ball on the edge of the box, nudged it infield and sent a venomous shot past Malafeev.

Tytoń then made a diving save from Dzagoev on a par with his effort to deny Giorgios Karaounis from the penalty spot against Greece, before Malafeev got down low to block a Polanski effort as the action switched ends at dizzying speed. Russia closed in, Poland sprang free, again and again. Russia, still group leaders, will wonder how they failed to add to their tally as they look ahead to Saturday's last group fixture against Greece. For Poland, meanwhile, it was not a win, but a small triumph for hope over experience.

Netherlands feel heat ahead of Germany test

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk was "irritated and tense" by his own admission, but Germany's Joachim Löw expects to face a Dutch side shorn of their shackles on Wednesday. 

 

 If there were the embryonic signs of tension in the immediate aftermath of the Netherlands' loss to Denmark, the three days since seem to have done little to improve Berth van Marwijk's demeanour.
The Dutch coach was quick to concede that his team were "under pressure" after one sucker-punch condemned them to that defeat by the Danes, but Wednesday's encounter against Germany hardly represents the easiest fixture to kickstart their UEFA EURO 2012 campaign. History alone says as much: the 1974 FIFA World Cup final, the 1988 UEFA European Championship semi-final, not to mention a heated meeting at the 1990 World Cup.

Throw in a 3-0 friendly reverse against Germany last year and it is easy to see why Van Marwijk and his team, in temperatures upwards of 30C, are feeling the heat. "Of course the atmosphere is tense," said the 60-year-old. "For a big game like this – especially after you have just lost – of course it's going to be tense, here and in the Netherlands. That's why sometimes we're going to be irritated, but that's why we're going to have to be even more motivated."

Pressed on everything from the Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and/or Robin van Persie debate to the Dutch squad's decision to stay in Poland, Van Marwijk was not given an easy ride. However, for the assembled media in a city that is home to Svobody Square – one of the largest in Europe – pressing Van Marwijk merely left them going in circles.

"We're preparing for one of the most important games for the past few years," he said. "How to beat them? I won't tell you that because I'll tell my own team that. The Germans are very strong but we can also beat them. How we do that and where we do that, I won't tell you now."

Joris Mathijsen played a full part in Tuesday's open training session after missing the Denmark game with a hamstring injury, leaving both coaches with fully fit squads. Joachim Löw, though, looks to be selecting his side with far less weight on his shoulders; the 1-0 win against Portugal was Germany's 12th competitive triumph on the trot. The brains behind all that, Löw is keen to avoid Wednesday becoming unlucky No13.

"Both teams have fantastic possibilities up front," he said. "Our defence will be under pressure; what's important is the players show how good we are as a team. It won't always be possible to double up on players as they play fast football. Our defenders will have to win their one-on-ones. Holland need possession, they play attacking football and have world-class players up front who cause problems for any defence. I can't believe Holland will completely change their style or their tactics because of their last result."

Löw is not a man prone to hyperbole and is keen that the slate is wiped clean despite the unavoidable history between the sides. "It is a big rivalry with legendary matches in tournaments," he said. "They're the most interesting and best matches of the last 20-30 years. It will be very intense, there's a huge rivalry and technically it will be a very good, but what happened in the past is history now." As could the Dutch be if they lose on Wednesday.

Denmark and Portugal skip history lessons

Portugal boss Paulo Bento says "it's not yet time for alarm bells" as his side look to revive their fortunes against a dreaming Denmark team they need no introduction to. 

 

 

Talk of past glories – even ones from Saturday – have been prominent in the build-up to Denmark's meeting with Portugal, but neither side is taking much stock of history ahead of a match that could help make or break their campaigns at UEFA EURO 2012.

Denmark's surprise victory over the Netherlands has reawakened memories of their famous march to glory in 1992, but Group B opponents Portugal already needed no introduction to their threat. Five times the sides have met over the past six years and Denmark's three wins to Portugal's one ultimately forced the Selecção das Quinas to come through the assault course of play-offs to qualify for both this tournament and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Neither coach is drawing too much from that. Morten Olsen insists his team "got lucky in a couple of the qualifiers"; Paulo Bento stresses that "this is another time, with different circumstances". The Portuguese added: "The last time we played each other, in October, Denmark played a certain way as they needed to win in order to come first in their qualifying group and they did, 2-1. Will it be the same approach?"

Olsen, predictably, was keeping his cards close to his chest on that, but while victory over the Netherlands was a "dream scenario" he is not allowing his players to rest on their laurels. "It has given us a real lift and built confidence but we cannot fall asleep now. Portugal were unlucky against Germany, while we needed good fortune ourselves [to beat the Netherlands]. We needed it to be our day."

The theme of provenance has been high on the agenda in the Portugal camp after Saturday's 1-0 loss to Germany though Bento is keen to move on. "If we keep looking for that little bit of good fortune, it's not going to happen for us," he said of a side that has scored only once in four games. "We have to accept that Denmark have an advantage over us, an advantage of three points. The Germany defeat has left us in a difficult situation but we have been here before."

Indeed, a well-versed Bento cited UEFA EURO 2004, when Portugal lost their opener against Greece but recovered to meet – and lose to – Otto Rehhagel's men again in the final. Then there is 1984, when they recovered from a sluggish start to storm into the last four before encountering a Michel Platini-inspired France. "We can quote many situations, we can refer to history, but we must be realistic," he concluded, returning to the task in hand. "And the reality is that we have to beat Denmark."

Olsen, too, prescribed a heavy dose of realism in response to suggestions that Denmark could repeat their 1992 trick. "You must dream but you have to appreciate how different football is today. If we get through the group stage it would be like winning the tournament back in 1992." That would likely spell bad news for Portugal and while Bento says "it's not yet time for alarm bells", he will be eager to jolt Denmark from their dream.

Composed Kadlec stands out in Czech victory

A solid defensive display by Czech Republic centre-back Michal Kadlec led to the Bayer 04 Leverkusen player topping the Castrol EDGE Index for his team's Group A win over Greece. 

 

 

In a match which evoked memories of the UEFA EURO 2004 semi-final between these nations, Czech Republic centre-back Michal Kadlec stood tall as his team dealt Greece's tournament hopes a significant blow.

The Bayer 04 Leverkusen defender, who topped the Castrol EDGE Index with a score of 9.24, helped the Czechs avenge their extra-time defeat in Porto eight years ago.
During a first half in which Michal Bílek's side raced into a two-goal lead, the 27-year-old was particularly economical with his distribution, finding his intended target with all but one of his 24 passes. Though his accuracy waned after the break, Kadlec still outshone all others with a match-high completion rate of 86%.

The former AC Sparta Praha player also excelled in the basic arts of defending such as blocking – including a volley from Dimitris Salpingidis – retrieving possession and maintaining a sturdy defensive line. Such was the Czechs' success in this department that Fernando Santos's charges were flagged offside six times, a tournament high.

Midfielder Tomáš Hübschman (8.83) and left winger Václav Pilař (8.7), scorer of the Czechs' second goal, made it a clean sweep for the Národní tým. Pilař, who had shone against Russia on Friday, was in fourth place in the overall Index after the first set of group games.

Castrol EDGE Index: Greece v Czech Republic
1. Michal Kadlec (CZE) 9.24
2. Tomáš Hübschman (CZE) 8.83
3. Václav Pilař  (CZE) 8.7
4. Giorgos Karagounis (GRE) 8.6
5. Petr Jiráček (CZE) 8.44

Key facts
2 – Czech goals in the first six minutes, courtesy of Petr Jiráček and Pilař.
4 – Touches by the Czech Republic in the Greece penalty area in the first half; two of those resulted in goals.
6 – Times Greece were flagged offside, a tournament high.
26 – Fouls committed by the Czech Republic, more than any side in a single game at UEFA EURO 2012 so far.
96 – Percentage of passes completed by Kadlec in the first half in Wroclaw.

Player view
Tomáš Hübschman: "The main aim of today was to get a good result that would give us a chance of advancing from the group. It feels great to get the win and it has given us the chance to go into the match against Poland with a good opportunity of advancing."

Czech defence delights Bílek

Czech Republic coach Michal Bílek praised his team's defending in their 2-1 victory against Greece while Fernando Santos was left to rue Greece's slowness out of the blocks in Wroclaw. 

 

 

Czech Republic coach Michal Bílek saw his team score two goals more quickly than any other nation in EURO history, but it was their defending which most pleased him in the 2-1 defeat of Greece. His opposite number, Fernando Santos, lamented the fact his team once more made a sluggish start, and then "used our hearts more than our minds".

Fernando Santos, Greece coach
The game started very badly for us. We were trailing very early on, and we knew this might happen. Given that they had seen our first game, we knew they would come out strongly and try to dominate. Although we'd been warned and we knew they'd pressure us, we failed to respond. We had a defence which had conceded four goals in ten official games, and within two games here, we've conceded three goals.

Unfortunately, these first few minutes of the first half were really costly. Against Poland we had managed to equalise, but it was very difficult to come back this time. We weren't on the pitch in the first ten, 15 minutes. We did everything to try and score the equaliser, but couldn't. Now we have to turn our eyes to the next match. We have only a slight chance, but there is still hope.

We mustn't forget that this was the same team with only [Giorgos] Fotakis added in midfield. This is the XI that played really well in the second half against Poland and managed to equalise, and that's why I thought this was the best lineup for this match. At half-time, I told them to clear their minds. Everything that happened in the first half was a burden; so we tried to have the most rational plan for the second half to turn the game around because we believed we could. In such cases, when you're in a very difficult position, you have to display heart, a clear mind and cold-bloodedness to dominate your opponents and show your qualities. We used our hearts more than our minds in the final 15 minutes and this didn't pay off.

Michal Bílek, Czech Republic coach
It was a great start. We started well against Russia too, but we were lucky enough to score twice today. The first half was great, the combinations were great, we were dangerous. The second half was complicated as Tomáš Rosický couldn't play on and it took us some time to get back in the game. We conceded a really bad goal, which gave Greece hope. It was a mistake. Petr Čech didn't communicate with Tomáš Sivok and it was an unnecessary goal to concede.

We all know that in the first match we had problems retaining possession, and that the defence was too open. That's why we wanted to be tighter at the back by bringing in Tomáš Hübschman, and why Petr Jiráček had to play in an unusual position for him on the right. But he played excellently. He got into the game, he's a great footballer. But I have to praise my whole team. They performed very well, and there's not one player I'm dissatisfied with.

There were lots of situations in front of our goal in the second half. Our opponents were trying to score, but we didn't give them any chances. We defended really well, and we're happy to still have a chance of going through. We knew it would be the end of our EURO if we'd have lost. You can start the [final group-stage] match thinking that a point is enough, but it's never good to play with this attitude. We have to fight in the last match and get the points out of it. We won't start thinking a point will be enough.

Greece trio call for improvement

Giorgios Samaras, Fanis Gekas and José Holebas know Greece must be on their game from the first whistle against Russia in their final Group A match after paying for another slow start. 

 

 Giorgios Samaras, Fanis Gekas and José Holebas all lamented Greece's slow start – they were two goals down inside six minutes on their way to a 2-1 loss to the Czech Republic – and know the team must be on their game from the start against Russia on Saturday to be in with a chance of qualifying from Group A.

Giorgios Samaras, Greece forward
This is not the end. I believe that once again we lost because of a bad start. However, in the second half we did our best to change the result. We did not manage it, but we go on. We still believe in our team and in ourselves, and we will keep going until the last minute of this tournament.

Fanis Gekas, Greece forward
We can't explain it. We saw our mistakes; we tried to improve them, but again in the first minutes we performed really badly. The Czech Republic caught us napping, and managed to win the match. We tried to react to those two goals, but we couldn't.

During the second half we started stronger – we wanted to react very quickly. We pushed ourselves to get the second goal but didn't manage to do it, although we had the chances. The only thing we have to do is to win, and if we get a good result we will manage to qualify.

José Holebas, Greece defender
It's difficult to explain. It was like during the first game, the first 20-25 minutes ... I don't know, we were asleep. We completely slept through the first 30 minutes, during the first half. Simple as that. For us it means a final against Russia, that's for sure. We need to get the three points, there's no other way.

Every single one of us needs to have their mind on the game, and right from the start. We must have the will to win the game and not only in the second half like today. We played better then and created some chances but this must happen from the first minute. You have to take control of the game to win it.

Czechs glad to be back in contention

"We're back in the competition," said Czech Republic midfielder Tomáš Hübschman after the 2-1 success against Greece that got their UEFA EURO 2012 campaign back on track. 

 

 

"We're back in the competition," declared Czech Republic midfielder Tomáš Hübschman after the the 2-1 victory against Greece that got their UEFA EURO 2012 campaign back on track. It was not all good news – the Czech players felt their second-half performance level dropped after Tomáš Rosický's departure with an Achilles injury – but there was still satisfaction at a hard-fought victory which leaves them with everything to play for against Poland in their final Group A fixture.


Petr Jiráček, Czech Republic midfielder
For any player, if you get an [early] goal like this, it makes things easier for you. I'm glad it helped us because we needed it, the goal was important and by battling, we managed to keep our lead in the second half. They were two goals down after six minutes, we were dominating, the fans were driving us on – they really made themselves heard. In the second half, though, our level dropped and we had to a battle to hang on for the win. We succeeded so we are all satisfied.

[For the goal] I got a fantastic pass from Tomáš Hübschman. I was actually alone in front of the goalkeeper, I wanted to hit it close to the post, avoiding him and I managed to do that, so naturally we're happy. Now the important thing is not to rest on our laurels – we knew we faced a fight and now we'll start to concentrate on the last match against Poland which will be very important.

Tomáš Hübschman, Czech Republic midfielder
Today, the most important thing was to get the three points. We wanted to make up for the result against Russia so the main aim was to get a good result to give us a chance of advancing from the group. It feels great to get the win.

I don't ever remember taking a two-goal lead after six minutes. But we did have a good start and I am happy that it went that way. It is a pity we then eased off a bit and gave the Greeks the chance to play. The first half was OK but our second half was poor – perhaps not poor, but from the moment we conceded we somehow stopped playing and Greece came back into it. Our main aim was then just not to concede another goal, and we did that.

[Greece] did not have a clear chance. They did apply a lot of pressure, though – they played some dangerous long balls and had three tall players who saw a lot of the ball during the second half. The important thing is that we won the ball back a lot and allowed them no clear chances. We are back in the competition and it is good that we will go into the match against Poland with a chance of advancing. That was our target.

Tomáš Rosický, Czech Republic midfielder
The whole first half was very good from our side, and I cannot judge the second half, because I did not see it. I watched from the 75th minute, because I was getting treatment [after going off at half-time]. I have a problem with my Achilles tendon, and I do not know [the extent], we'll have to see.

We will see what the result from the Russia-Poland match is, but of course I am very happy we kept cool heads. We know that we have a good team, we can get through the group, and we showed it today.

[Beating Greece in a rematch of the 2004 semi-final] is not such a satisfaction, because from the teams then there is only [Giorgios] Karagounis and [Kostas] Katsouranis and from our team me, Milan [Baroš], Petr Čech or [Jaroslav] Plašil. Maybe it is a small satisfaction, but I did not go into the match with any thoughts that it might be some revenge for what happened in 2004.

Czechs leave Greece standing with flying start

Greece 1-2 Czech Republic
Petr Jiráček and Václav Pilař scored inside six minutes as the Czechs recovered from their opening loss to rekindle their Group A ambitions.

After making their worst-ever opening to a major final tournament, the Czech Republic made amends thanks to a lightning start as they beat Greece 2-1 to reignite their hopes of making the knockout stages.

The 4-1 defeat by Russia last Friday in their Group A curtain-raiser had clearly stung Michal Bílek's men. They responded by taking the fastest-ever two-goal lead in UEFA European Championship history as Petr Jiráček and Václav Pilař both found the net inside six minutes in Wroclaw. Though an uncharacteristic slip by Petr Čech allowed substitute Fanis Gekas to pull one back eight minutes after the break, the Czechs held on to register a maiden win over Greece, though both teams still harbour ambitions of reaching the quarter-finals.

Fernando Santos's hand had been forced with injury and suspension depriving him of the two central defenders who had begun the opening game against Poland. The Greece coach soon had reason to curse the fates.

Almost no sooner had they been put together than the makeshift centre-back pairing of Kyriakos Papadopoulos and midfielder Kostas Katsouranis were pulled apart as Tomáš Hübschman measured a pass between them for Jiráček to open the scoring.

The only goal in the three previous meetings between these two had been Traianos Dellas's silver goal in the UEFA EURO 2004 semi-finals. Jiráček's was worth its weight in gold for the Czechs. Santos had seen his team make a slow start against Poland, and had promised it would not happen again, but there was not even time for Greece to regroup before they fell still further behind.

Theodor Gebre Selassie's overlapping run escaped the attentions of everyone bar Tomáš Rosický, who picked out the full-back on the right. The subsequent low cross evaded goalkeeper Kostas Chalkias's dive and Pilař bundled the ball, and the unfortunate Katsouranis, across the goal line. After being roundly jeered by his compatriots among the crowd when his name was announced before kick-off, there was more than a hint of vindication about Czech coach Bílek's celebratory punch of the air.

The sight of Chalkias limping over to the bench with only 23 minutes on the clock did little to raise the spirits of the Greek fans, unsurprisingly outnumbered by their Czech counterparts inside the Municipal Stadium Wroclaw. Chalkias's replacement, Michalis Sifakis, did his best to improve morale by turning aside a long-range Rosický effort, and when Giorgos Fotakis headed in Vassilis Torossidis's cross, the blue-and-white clad supporters erupted – before the assistant referee's flag quickly pooped their party.

It did not take long after the break for it to restart, though, as the Czechs unwittingly helped Greece back into the game. Milan Baroš dallied when a ball broke kindly in the box; Gekas did not extend the same courtesy, rolling the ball into the empty net after Čech allowed Giorgos Samaras's seemingly innocuous centre to slip through his habitually sure grasp. A similar gaffe had ended Czech hopes at UEFA EURO 2008, yet though Greece pushed for an equaliser, the Chelsea FC goalkeeper's rare mistake did not prove as costly four years on.

Blanc keeps calm amid home euphoria

Ukraine may be "in a state of euphoria" after their win against Sweden but it will not affect Laurent Blanc's preparations as France eye up a first victory following a "frustrating" opening draw. 

 

 

Laurent Blanc believes France's task of beating Ukraine in their next Group D fixture may have become even harder after Andriy Shevchenko sent the country into "a state of euphoria" by scoring both in the 2-1 win against Sweden on Monday.

Les Bleus go in to Friday's contest at the Donbass Arena two points behind Oleh Blokhin's team after registering a 1-1 draw with England, and Blanc is expecting a stern test from the co-hosts and their in-form talisman. "I read an article on 'Sheva' a few days ago that said he could hardly walk anymore and his back was in pieces," Blanc said. "Well, he showed against Sweden that great players never lose it. I'm happy for him because he's somebody I appreciate a lot."

Although the two-time European champions are staying outside the centre of Donetsk, Blanc said he could feel the lift that Ukraine's victory had given to the nation. "The country is in a state of euphoria," he declared. "The people will be behind the team more than ever now. It's going to be a hard game, there's no doubt about it, but we will prepare ourselves in the same way we have planned."

There was a lingering sense of frustration in the French camp on Tuesday morning having failed to turn long periods of possession in to clear-cut chances against a resolute England the previous night. Blanc was keen to point out that his side had managed 18 attempts on goal to just three from Roy Hodgson's charges, although he did concede that many of those efforts were relatively harmless long-range strikes.

"It was frustrating for periods," the 46-year-old reflected. "We lacked a presence in front of goal sometimes. But we tried to play our style of football. We like playing balls in to feet and exchanging quick passes. Unfortunately England defended extremely well, with two banks of four, and they denied our players any space at all."

Blanc also defended striker Karim Benzema for regularly dropping deep. "Karim drops off a lot with Real Madrid too," he explained. "When you find yourself stuck in the grip of [John] Terry and [Joleon] Lescott you have to find a way of getting free. Anyway, that's how Karim plays usually, although he's still capable of running in behind because he is athletic enough. But it wasn't an easy game for a striker."

Van Marwijk stays out of Netherlands debate

The Netherlands is sometimes known as 'the land of 16 million national coaches' but Berend Scholten is still trying to ascertain the thoughts of the one that matters, Bert van Marwijk. 

 

Bert van Marwijk may be the only man with the official title of Netherlands coach but whenever a major tournament comes around, every Dutch citizen also appoints themselves to that position.
The Netherlands then turns into 'the land of 16 million national coaches', it is said, although this might include babies and toddlers as well. Naturally, after their team began UEFA EURO 2012 with a 1-0 defeat by Denmark, all these coaches have their own plan. Should Robin van Persie play, or Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, or maybe even both?

However, it is Van Marwijk who has the task of setting a winning formation against Germany on Wednesday, but obviously he has no intention of revealing his plans quite yet.

 

"How do we beat them?" he said after travelling from their Krakow team base to match venue Kharkiv. "Well I won't tell you that because I'll tell my own team that. The Germans are very strong but we can also beat them. How we do that, I won't tell you now."

Now, looking back at the Denmark game, it is still unbelievable that no Oranje goal result from 28 attempts. The Danish goal just seemed jinxed. But still, creating so many chances is something to hold on to for the Germany match. Indeed, it was something to which Wesley Sneijder, sitting next to Van Marwijk, referred.

"We created lots of chances against Denmark and we have to take that with us against Germany," he said. "There's nothing nicer than playing against Germany; there's a lot of pressure but that's what's so nice about it."

Despite all the pressure, it was very nice to see that at the end of the press conference when leaving, player and coach were joking and laughing with each other. With a win against Germany, all the other 16 million Oranje national coaches will do the same tomorrow.

 

Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets has promised that Spain will "remain true to their philosophy of football" against the Republic of Ireland on Thursday as they target a first win in Group C.

Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets has promised that Spain will "remain true to their philosophy of football" against the Republic of Ireland on Thursday as they target a first win in Group C. 

 

There was a slight air of bewilderment about Sergio Busquets as he faced the assembled media in Gniewino, where Spain are continuing to bridge the gap between drawing 1-1 with Italy in their Group C opener and facing the Republic of Ireland side of revered Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni.
'Why don't you show more faith and patience?' and 'How can you question the set-up in midfield?' was the general gist of his responses as the debate danced around whether or not Sunday's performance augured well for a strong defence of the title they won at UEFA EURO 2008.

His inquisitors wanted to pore over that hoary old chestnut of whether a double-pivot system – using both Busquets and Xabi Alonso as holding players – prejudiced Spain's capacity to play offensive, creative football. Broadly, the idea is that with just one of Alonso or Busquets controlling the middle of midfield and players like Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta by his side, Vicente del Bosque could then use three outright strikers up front.

However, Busquets, always equable and articulate, would not hear of it. "The centre of our midfield isn't overcrowded; it's based on having players with a good touch in the centre of the field and seeking to gain an advantage like that," said the FC Barcelona man. "Moreover, Spain have been playing that way for four years.

"I think there is a lack of patience shown when Spanish international football is being analysed. That wasn't just anyone we drew against – it was a very strong Italy side. But if we don't win, there always seems to be a 'but' from somebody or other. It's precisely what happened in the World Cup."
Busquets simply raised an eyebrow upon hearing how Trapattoni has suggested that the manner in which Chelsea FC eliminated Barcelona during this season's UEFA Champions League semi-finals will be Ireland's template in Gdansk on Thursday.

Spain have grown accustomed to facing very few sides, particularly in the midst of a knockout competition, who dare to go toe-to-toe with them. Having watched the set of results which completed the first round of action here in Poland and Ukraine, Busquets has clearly calculated that getting the win Spain need will, again, cost as much patience as it will effort and skill.

"Really, we don't care if Ireland set up like that. Spain will remain true to the philosophy of football which has taken us this far and brought us success. But it will help us if we could get an early goal because that always means the opposition needs to open up a little more. Moving the ball rapidly and breaking tackles are important to us and, until that starts to happen, we will need to show patience.
"We've been watching the tournament so far and you can see how tight the games between England and France or Holland and Denmark have been. The field is very equal and we have said from the start that it will be hard work to win this EURO again."

 

Krohn-Dehli hopes to progress without a hitch

Michael Krohn-Dehli admits his winner against the Netherlands had an element of luck but is keen to prove that result was no fluke – not, as his girlfriend attests, that he is a dreamer. 

 

Michael Krohn-Dehli is not the romantic type according to his girlfriend, but his winner against the Netherlands on Saturday has got the whole of Denmark dreaming.

Twenty-four minutes of the Group B opener in Kharkiv had elapsed when the 29-year-old struck perhaps the most significant blow at UEFA EURO 2012 to date, though he admits it was as much down to luck as sound judgement. "I received the ball accidentally," he told UEFA.com. "I actually wanted to shoot straight away, but noticed a few players were close to me so I feigned a shot and then I was completely free to put the ball in. It was a great moment for me."

It was Krohn-Dehli's slick footwork that first caught the eye of his (coincidentally) Dutch girlfriend, Kelly, at a club in Amsterdam six years ago. She told Danish daily Ekstra Bladet it was love at first sight but she is still waiting, impatiently, for him to go down on one knee. "I have often tried to make subtle hints, but Michael is just not the romantic type," she said. "He doesn't believe our relationship would be better from getting married. I'd like to, though it isn't up to me to propose."

The midfielder obviously likes to keep his feet on the ground, seeing the world with realism, not idealism. So while many of the five and a half million people back in Denmark dream of a repeat of their 1992 triumph, Krohn-Dehli is more prosaic. "It's true that we are closer to making it out of the group than we were before the first game, but we are not there yet. And we played far from a perfect match; if we can add another 5-10% then I think we could do well."

Their opponents on Wednesday, Portugal, have been warned, though having met Denmark five times in the past six years they do not really need it. The Danes hold the upper hand, winning three to Portugal's one and coming out on top in qualifying for both the 2010 FIFA World Cup and this tournament. It is, says Krohn-Dehli, a real source of optimism. "It gives us a sense that victory is possible. We have also lost to them, of course, and they are a good team, but it gives us confidence that we are capable of getting a good result.

"We've had a good start to the finals and needn't fear anyone. While we need to respect every opponent, we have shown that they also need to respect us."

 

Human touch cheers Croatia

Elvir Islamović had a relaxed day at Croatia's camp, talking music with Slaven Bilić and seeing the players in jovial mood, and hopes it bodes well for their return to Poznan to play Italy. 

 

 

It was a lovely day in Warka. I don't mean the weather, which by the way was mostly cloudy, I mean the atmosphere in Croatia camp.

Everyone was cheerful, from the coaches and other staff who woke up earlier in the morning, to the players who deservedly got permission to sleep a bit longer than usual. After they returned from Poznan yesterday following Sunday's victory against the Republic of Ireland, this was their only full day in camp before heading back for Thursday's Group C match with Italy.

"The players were a bit tired – happy but tired," Slaven Bilić told me while we prepared for a UEFA.com interview. "Maybe we need an extra day here between the matches, our mentality is like that and we need a bit longer time to recover. Fortunately, we are playing against Latin opponents so we are in similar situations."

The Croatia squad are close

 

Very happy he was too, very calm and relaxed. We talked about music at length, Bilić revealing how he spent hours listening to Van Morrison and Bruce Springsteen last night, and also how it's just a coincidence that he has worn a woolly hat during the team's biggest victories.

Yes, he was wearing it at Wembley when Croatia defeated England, in Istanbul when they beat Turkey 3-0 in the UEFA EURO 2012 play-offs, and now in Poznan against Ireland. "It was cold in Istanbul and in Poznan it was raining – it's only that," said Bilić.

Then I spoke to some of the players and they were were also upbeat. Some of them were cycling around – Mario Mandžukić, Ivan Perišić and Gordon Schildenfeld even brought bikes into the press conference. They had light training and watched a DVD of Thursday's opponents Italy.

But mostly it is clear that the squad are very close, with jokes flying around. "It's a really fantastic atmosphere," Vedran Ćorluka said. "We had a good sleep, we recovered and we are now charging towards the next match. The big one."

It would be great to see Croatia like this later in the week. And that means returning from Poznan once again with big smiles on faces. After a big win over Italy.

Nani not ready to abandon Portugal hope

Portugal winger Nani is confident that his side are "capable of winning matches against big teams" as they set out to claim their first Group B points versus Denmark in Lviv. 

 

As the scorer of Portugal's only goal in their last four matches, one might expect Nani to be feeling a little extra pressure ahead of Wednesday's crucial Group B meeting with Denmark. Yet the winger has retained faith in a side that he believes is "evolving", and says Portugal are at UEFA EURO 2012 for the long haul despite their opening 1-0 loss to Germany.

"The team showed that we have quality," he explained, "and that we are capable of winning matches against big teams like Germany. We're a bit disappointed because we deserved better than a defeat, but we are confident because we still have two matches left."

Looking to "take inspiration from the past", the Manchester United FC wide man is confident that Portugal's run to the UEFA EURO 2004 final can serve as a blueprint for continued progress, with that campaign having also commenced with a reverse – inflicted by eventual winners Greece.

"In the match [against Germany] we improved in comparison to the ones before," he said. "I hope that the same thing will happen in the next game and that we get to the final and look at that one and say: 'Yes, we've improved a lot compared to the match against Germany and we're very satisfied.'"
For the moment, Nani's thoughts dare not travel beyond the game in Lviv against Denmark, opponents who have given Portugal much recent difficulty – but against whom Nani scored a sizzling double in coach Paulo Bento's first match at the helm, a 3-1 qualifying win in October 2010.
The 25-year-old knows Morten Olsen's men carry their own forward threat, however, enthusing over counterpart Michael Krohn-Dehli's excellent winner against the Netherlands on Saturday. "Their attack is their main strength," he warned. "They attack well. Usually when we play against them, they create a lot of danger from high balls, but we will be ready to control their strong points."

One of the four other 'captains' appointed pre-tournament by Bento to back up armband-holder Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani is one of the senior figures in the set-up and is relishing the responsibility. Describing Bento's appointment as "a change for the better", the winger also sees the arrival of his former Sporting Clube de Portugal coach as crucial in refreshing the squad.

"There are some very young players who have been getting a chance now, and who have shown great character and dedication," he said. "They have evolved under the guidance of the more experienced players and the coach. We are on the right track and the team will be stronger in the future."
Not that Nani has any wish to see the present curtailed, having missed out on the 2010 FIFA World Cup through injury, and he told UEFA.com he wants "to make up for lost time". His main hope for UEFA EURO 2012, quite naturally, is "to enjoy it as much as possible" – and for as long as possible.

 

Irish undaunted by Spanish test

"There's no reason why we can't get something out of it," said Republic of Ireland's Robbie Keane of Thursday's meeting with Spain and teammate John O'Shea shares his confidence. 

 

 

Robbie Keane's confidence in the Republic of Ireland's prospects of emerging intact from UEFA EURO 2012 Group C has not been affected by Sunday's 3-1 defeat by Croatia.

Nor does the treacherous path ahead – Spain await for the Irish on Thursday, then Italy on Monday – cause Keane to watch his step. The Ireland captain fully believes in himself, his team, and their destiny. "We know it's going to be a tough task on Thursday," said Keane. "After all, they are one of the best teams in the world but there's no reason why we can't get something out of the game.
"In any case it's very difficult as a player to go into a game thinking you just want a point. But it wouldn't be the end of the world if we did." A defeat, by contrast, would mean the end of their quarter-final ambitions, yet there is a positive mood among the Irish players.

"We have done it in the past against the top teams and are good enough to get results," said defender John O'Shea. "Our backs will be against the wall for probably the majority of the game, but that's normally when we come out and shine. Our team shape is going to be so important. We will have to stay with the runners and not follow the ball with one-twos. Clearly the Barcelona trait is evident through their team. We will have to be on our game but I am confident we can cause them some problems too."

One man who seems a likely candidate to cause problems is striker Jon Walters who impressed when introduced as a second-half substitute on Sunday and who excelled in training again today. While the same 4-4-2 system is guaranteed, the starting lineup may not be. Giovanni Trapattoni's main selection considerations surround the various merits of Stephen Ward and Stephen Kelly for the left-back position with Walters competing with Kevin Doyle and Keane for an attacking role.

O'Shea, meanwhile, is relishing the prospect of competing with the reigning world and European champions. "We are coming to an elite competition," he said, "meeting the cream of Europe, and we have a chance to play against some of the best players in the world. Spain have proven how good they are, and it is great to have the chance to show our stuff against them."

Sweden left in 'difficult spot'

Sweden coach Erik Hamrén reflected on a night spent rewatching where his side went wrong against Ukraine as Kim Källström admitted they now had no margin for error. 

 

 

Ahead of Sweden's UEFA EURO 2012 opener against Ukraine, Erik Hamrén said he had no problem sleeping. After Monday evening's match he was kept awake by vivid images of Andriy Shevchenko, as the coach rewatched his team's 2-1 defeat in the middle of the night. "I was working until 4.30 and up again at seven," he said.

In a change from Sweden's previous approach under Hamrén, they went for a long-ball tactic throughout much of the goalless first half in Kyiv. "The player with the ball had very few options," the coach said. "That's what I spoke about mostly at the break. Not enough players showed that they wanted the ball."

After taking the lead early in the second period through Zlatan Ibrahimović, the home side turned it around through two Shevchenko headers. The first one caused Hamrén particular displeasure. "We were eight players against their three in our defensive third," he said. "Conceding a goal then is not good."

Midfielder Kim Källström spoke of a very quiet bus ride to the team hotel after the match. "This morning we are still enormously disappointed", said the Olympique Lyonnais player. "We've put ourselves in a difficult spot."

After Hamrén's half-time talk, there was more movement off the ball from Sweden, making it easier for them to play according to their plan. "The irony is that we conceded two doing what we should do and none when we didn't," said Källström. "But that's football." When asked by reporters if there were likely to be many changes for the next match, against England on Friday, Källström replied: "How we pick the starting XI is far from my job."

Midfield partner Rasmus Elm acknowledged the need for urgent improvement against Roy Hodgson's team, who drew 1-1 with France in the other Group D match. "We absolutely have to do better against England. If we play like we did in the first half it's going to be hard to beat any team," said Elm. "But our second half yesterday was much better than the first one."

The gravity of Sweden's situation, having lost to supposedly their weakest group opponents, was not lost on Källström either. "We don't have much margin for further mistakes – we've used up our joker," he said."

Perišić delighted with Croatia start

A beneficiary of Slaven Bilić's decision to switch captain Darijo Srna to right-back, Ivan Perišić took his chance in Croatia's first XI with aplomb against the Republic of Ireland. 

 

 

When Ivan Perišić arrived at UEFA EURO 2012 it was expected he would provide cover for Ivan Rakitić on the left wing.

Yet two days before Croatia's Group C opener against the Republic of Ireland, coach Slaven Bilić shuffled his pack, moving skipper Darijo Srna to right-back and switching Rakitić from his usual left-midfield berth to the opposite flank and the position vacated by the FC Shakhtar Donetsk player.
The upshot was that Perišić suddenly had a place in the starting XI for the encounter with Giovanni Trapattoni's side, and he did not disappoint. One of the liveliest performers on the Municipal Stadium Poznan pitch, the 23-year-old showcased his shooting ability on a couple of occasions as well as laying on Mario Mandžukić's second, Croatia's third goal, with an inviting cross.

"I could even have scored myself," the Borussia Dortmund midfielder told UEFA.com. "I had two shots. The first was well saved and, as for the other, I really thought I would score in a situation like that, but my shot wasn't good," added Perišić, who hit seven goals in the Bundesliga in 2011/12 but has yet to score for his country.

All in all, though, Perišić's major tournament debut could not have gone much better. "It was my dream to play for Croatia and this was my first match in such a big competition," said the former Club Brugge KV player, who made his international bow in March last year and appeared six times in qualifying.

"I had extra motivation because in my last few matches for Croatia I didn't show what I can really do," he added. "I still need some time to adapt to this team and I hope my game will improve in the forthcoming matches."

As for Bilić's decision to alter his lineup, Perišić said: "During the preparations for EURO we have been changing our tactics and players, and the coach decided to pick this system. He got it right and we can all be happy that he selected this one. This is the Croatia our fans want to see. If we can maintain this level of play we can do something good, but if we don't we won't have as much chance against Italy and Spain. We need to keep the same motivation and team spirit as against the Irish and anything will be possible."

'Fairy tale' reward for Ukraine work

Ukraine's win over Sweden was described as a "fairy tale" and a reward for years of preparation in a press conference marking the country's first set of UEFA EURO 2012 matches. 

 

 

Ukraine's opening victory against Sweden was described as a "fairy tale" and a reward for five long years of preparation in a press conference at Kyiv's Olympic Stadium to mark the conclusion of the first set of UEFA EURO 2012 matches in the country.

The comments were made by Grigoriy Surkis, Football Federation of Ukraine (FFU) president and UEFA Executive Committee member, who was joined by Borys Kolesnikov, Ukrainian deputy prime minister, and the UEFA EURO 2012 tournament director Ukraine, Markiyan Lubkivskiy. They were speaking the day after the stadium hosted Ukraine's 2-1 Group D win, and following the rest of the opening matches in the country's other host cities of Lviv, Kharkiv and Donetsk.

"I want to thank everyone. We had a great holiday in Ukraine, a great celebration [with] this fairy tale," he said. "I want to thank the supporters who came to the Olympic Stadium, to the first game in a beautiful renovated stadium. It was great joy for our fans because our team won."

He emphasised the duration of the work ahead of UEFA EURO 2012. "In 2007 in Cardiff, Poland and Ukraine were awarded the tournament. It was a great moment, but the next three years were difficult. However, [President] Viktor Yanukovych and his team did amazing work. In April 2010 it was hard to imagine what we have now."

Deputy prime minister Kolesnikov added: "The tournament has started and these years of preparation passed very quickly." Praising the efforts of those involved in the construction of stadiums, airports and roads, he said: "Lots of visitors have now come, they have spoken to their compatriots, and we expect even more tourists and spectators."

Lubkivskiy, who made presentations on behalf of the local organising committee to both his colleagues on the podium, gave his progress report, saying: "Four of our 16 games have taken place, there has been an unforgettable atmosphere, we have had positive feedback from fans and journalists. A lot of people who have come to Ukraine have enjoyed the wonderful welcome and hospitality, and have shared in the celebration of the victories.

"The volunteers have helped this football celebration. The teams are satisfied with their training facilities in Ukraine. They have the best possible conditions for resting and training."

Catch of the day in Gdansk

After a long night on his trawler pondering UEFA EURO 2012, Gdansk fisherman Roman told UEFA.com: "Football is like the sea, sometimes you hate it but you can't live without it." 

 

The cool summer breeze that sweeps into the city of Gdansk from the vast Baltic Sea holds a seductive sway over fans who will no doubt want to return to this picturesque spot one day. However, when the crowds begin to leave and UEFA EURO 2012 winds down on the northern tip of Poland, local fisherman Roman will still be going about his business here.

Amid the early morning joggers and weary revellers in search of a bed, Roman pulls into port at 7am, his shift now over. Unwilling to talk at first he eventually relents and tells me what it means to him to have the EURO taking place on his doorstep. "I think it brings a message to the people of Europe that after many years of political struggle we are back to normal and form part of a united continent," he told UEFA.com.

As we continue to chat – especially about football – Roman begins to relax. "We have a ball on one of the boats," he said enthusiastically. "Of course we don't play while at sea, it's far too dangerous. We play chess instead.

"It doesn't happen often but if we go out past the Hel Peninsula we sometimes dock and meet with our Swedish counterparts," he added. "We saw them this morning and they were in good spirits despite the loss to Ukraine last night. Some Italians came to see us and were very friendly. We didn't speak each other's language but we communicated in football terms and laughed a lot. I like the fact that all of the teams coming to Gdansk are connected with the sea. Croatia have the Adriatic, Italy and Spain the Mediterranean and Ireland is an island."

And what of Roman's team? "I support Lechia Gdańsk", he says with a shrug. "They don't often play pretty football but you follow your team through thick and thin, don't you? Football is like the sea, sometimes you hate it but you can't live without it."
 

Greece goalscorer Salpingidis answers your tweets

Dimitris Salpingidis created history against co-hosts Poland in the opening game of UEFA EURO 2012 and the Greece forward sat down with UEFA.com to answer users' tweets. 

 

Dimitris Salpingidis equalised for ten-man Greece against co-hosts Poland in the opening game of UEFA EURO 2012 to become the first Greek player to score in both a UEFA European Championship and a FIFA World Cup. It was no wonder then that questions came flooding in via Twitter for the PAOK FC forward, who was keen to stress the importance of team achievements over personal accolades.

@balla_com_cy: How do you feel being the only Greek player to have scored at the final tournament of a UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup?
Dimitris Salpingidis: It is something that is very important to me and I feel very happy to have done this, even more so because it was really important for the team as well. At the World Cup we managed to win a match [against Nigeria], but this time my goal allowed us to have the chance to progress in the tournament. However, it is something that you cannot be distracted by. An ambitious person must always look to the future and must look at his team as a whole. This is how I managed to score those goals and I feel really lucky and grateful for that.

@greekfooty: You've scored three huge goals for Greece, in the FIFA World Cup play-offs against Ukraine, in the World Cup group stage against Nigeria and now against Poland. Which did you enjoy most?
Salpingidis: Unfortunately, I cannot choose one. All three are very important, not only to me but to all Greek people and it would be unfair if I chose one.

@GiorgosSim: How did coach Fernando Santos inspire you at half-time to still believe you could get something from the match?
Salpingidis: To tell you the truth, I did not hear his team talk because I was getting warmed up to play the second half. He just gave me some orders and I think he told the other players more or less the same thing. He told us to be more aggressive, which is normal since we were losing the game and that is what we tried to do.

@Marco4J: Is it more satisfying to change a game from the bench or play well for 90 minutes?
Salpingidis: The greatest joy is to be fit at the end of the match and, of course, to have won the match. In my opinion, this is the best thing for any player regardless of whether he played from the first minute or was called in to help later in the game.

@KD_84: What is your favourite position? Striker or winger?
Salpingidis: People tend to ask me this question and I have said that I do not really care. However, the truth is, and you can see this if you take a look at my CV, that my position is as an attacker with a partner, but this is a system which is not too popular with the majority of coaches. Therefore, I have been playing as a right attacking midfielder and have been trying to improve myself and get used to the changes of football on the global scene. This means that if we have a system with three attackers I can play both on the right and in the middle. I am always trying to implement my coach's advice as well as I can on the pitch.

Kuyt relishing latest chapter of Germany rivalry

The Netherlands may have been down in the aftermath of defeat by Denmark but Dirk Kuyt says they are ready to play Germany – a match he expects to "become part of history". 

 

 

The Netherlands could have been forgiven for feeling deflated after their opening defeat by Denmark; dominant in possession, they created a hatful of chances but failed to find the net and were hit by a first-half sucker-punch. For Dirk Kuyt, though, who came on as the Dutch went for broke in the second half, there is no reason to wallow in the loss. Next up is the small matter of Germany, and Kuyt – bound for Fenerbahçe SK next season – cannot wait.

UEFA.com: Dirk, how did the team react to defeat by Denmark?
Dirk Kuyt: There was great disappointment. We all started the tournament full of energy and I think we played well, but we failed to score, which was very disappointing, but we have to move on. The great thing about this tournament is that we get to play a game every four days, and have a massive one on Wednesday, which is a unique opportunity for us and will allow us to show everybody how good we really are.

UEFA.com:What went wrong against Denmark?
Kuyt: I think we played pretty well, we made some great chances but if you don't take those chances, it is common in football for the other team then to score. Denmark made good use of their first chance. In the second half we created even more chances – in the first six minutes we could have scored a few goals, but it didn't happen however hard we tried. I think we have to improve defensively, but we have to be more creative and take our chances.

UEFA.com:The next game against Germany is an important one...
Kuyt: Yes, for us it's like a final. From now on we have to win every match, which we wanted to do from the beginning of the tournament. You have to be able to beat every opponent in a tournament like this, and this means beating Germany.

UEFA.com:Can you describe what it means for you to play against Germany?
Kuyt:I have been brought up knowing the importance of Holland against Germany. Everybody can remember the previous matches, like in 1988 and 1990. I know about these matches because they have become a part of history and I think the match this Wednesday will do too.

UEFA.com:You already said that you played attacking football against Denmark, so is it possible to try even harder against Germany?
Kuyt: I think the competitiveness between us and Denmark grew throughout the match, which meant we had to attack more and more. I think this will be the case against the Germans. We are capable of creating a solid defensive wall, and if we can create that stability next Wednesday I do not foresee us having any problems.

UEFA.com: You also have a lot of options up front. Do you think it's possible that [Robin] Van Persie and [Klaas-Jan] Huntelaar will play together?
Kuyt: Yes, but's that's a decision that [Bert] Van Marwijk should make. I agree with you, that we have a lot of options up front, but we have so many good players to fill those positions and that's a problem for the coach. We are convinced the coach will put the best team together to get the best result. We have that confidence in our trainer, and we all have to make sure that, individually, we do our best.

UEFA.com:How do you handle the stress that comes with losing the first game and then possibly having to win the next two?
Kuyt: Well, some stress is good and that's what makes playing so much fun. We had a lot of stress during the World Cup, especially against Portugal. But you have to remember that you must enjoy those matches too, and you enjoy them most if you win.

UEFA.com:Are you expecting an exciting evening?
Kuyt: It will be very exciting and that's what the European Championship is all about. Sometimes during the World Cup you have easy games to start with, but in the European Championship even the first games are very difficult. When your group consists of Denmark, Germany and Portugal , every game is like a final.

The ever evolving style of Germany

Steffen Potter says one of Germany's primary strengths is their depth of attacking options and believes Joachim Löw will switch his forwards around depending on the opposition. 

 

'Never change a winning team' is what they say. Yet Joachim Löw stated quite clearly yesterday that he does not abide by this old football adage, adding: "Sometimes I like surprises."

Löw surprised many by including Mats Hummels and Mario Gomez in the starting XI for Germany's opening victory against Portugal and this latest comment leaves plenty of room for speculation ahead of the clash with the Netherlands in Kharkiv tomorrow.

To share my thoughts, I have to elaborate a bit. Much has been made of Germany's transformation from a counterattacking side to a more possession-orientated one. While it was certainly one of the most important things for Germany in 2010 to make the transition quickly from defence to attack, I am sure Löw would have liked to have more of the ball in the semi-final against Spain – his team just weren't there yet.

Germany play to their strengths

 

Spain still set the standard and many have argued that Germany are on their way to playing like Spain. I disagree. After the first round of UEFA EURO 2012 games, no team currently comes close to the insane tiki-taka-ing of the world and European champions, who passed the ball 733 times in their 1-1 draw with Italy. Germany's 463 passes were a decent average, with the Dutch (517) and the French (654) coming even closer.

Trying to copy Spain would mean being a second-best version of the original. Germany should strive to find a unique style playing to their own strengths. One of their greatest attributes is probably the depth of their attacking options. Against a physical Portugal, Löw went for a cautious approach and was rewarded with a win. And let's not forget that among the pre-tournament favourites his side were alone in winning their opener; Spain, the Netherlands and dark horses France all fell short.

It may be that playing Lukas Podolski and Thomas Müller is the wrong approach against teams sitting deep like Portugal, and other opponents could now employ that same cautious tactic. This would call for the introduction of more creative players like Mario Götze or Marco Reus on the wings, even though the Dutch game should be more open with lots of space to play 2010-style counterattacks.

In summary, my guess is that against the Netherlands Löw could keep the same lineup, while against Denmark Reus and/or Götze, may come in.

Midfielder Nazarenko central to Ukraine chances

If two-goal Andriy Shevchenko took the plaudits after the co-hosts' defeat of Sweden, Ukraine team reporter Boris Popov hails the performance of the unsung Serhiy Nazarenko. 

 

The Ukrainian media, unsurprisingly, are gushing with praise for the co-hosts the day after their Andriy Shevchenko-inspired victory against Sweden, who were regarded as the opponents Oleh Blokhin's team had to beat in a section also containing England and France.

"Beginning well is half the battle," insisted Sport-Express which – like all the other papers – hailed the country's captain fantastic. "For Shevchenko this European Championship is not only the first and the last, but can also become his testimonial."

A pleasant surprise for the home supporters was the attacking mindset and the amount of possession enjoyed by the Synyo-Zhovti (Blue and Yellows). Boss Blokhin said: "We turned the match around because we controlled the game. We were faster and more technical. This was a performance I more or less expected from my team. We still made tactical mistakes and we did not have enough time to prepare. We can still play better. Now we have three points, and we will alter things tactically for the matches to come."

The right side is Ukraine's strongest suit. Three FC Dynamo Kyiv players – Oleh Gusev, Andriy Yarmolenko and Andriy Shevchenko – are capable of getting on top of any opposition. While their role is well recognised, I would like to sing the praises of Serhiy Nazarenko, the often undervalued SC Tavriya Simferopol midfielder, who played the key role linking defence and attack yesterday. Nazarenko's smart passing tore open the Sweden defence and he also went close to scoring with a free-kick.

Serhiy Nazarenko was a useful link man against Sweden

Nazarenko, 32, has been criticised in the past for a perceived lack of defensive nous, but against Sweden he seemed to be everywhere. This is corroborated by the official statistics, which identify the No18 as having covered more distance than anybody on the pitch.

Having spent his entire professional career at FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, Nazarenko signed for Tavriya Simferopol at the start of last season and is currently in the form of his life. To my mind he's the man capable of leading Ukraine to the quarter-finals and beyond.

Aside from his passing and shooting abilities, Serhiy is considered one of the top set-piece practitioners operating in Ukrainian football, and his talent at delivering a mean dead ball is prized now more than ever. France and England should keep a close watch on the bald midfielder, for they ignore him at their peril.

Shevchenko the symbol of Ukraine success

He was already his homeland's most famous son and his double against Sweden was just the latest notable example of Andriy Shevchenko's remarkable sense of timing. 

 

 

Shevchenko is one of the most revered names in Ukraine. No town is complete without a statue of the great man situated in a prominent position, including Kyiv whose university bears his name. Taras Shevchenko, the 19th-century poet and one of the founders of Ukrainian literature, is now a symbol of Ukraine. On Monday night the chances of another statue bearing the name Shevchenko being erected in Kyiv increased exponentially.

Around the world, Ukraine has long been associated with Shevchenko of course – although not the author. From my own limited travelling experience I remember men and boys wearing T-shirts with the name of the Ukraine team captain on the back in countries as far afield as Paraguay, the Philippines, or Mozambique. To all these people, Andriy Shevchenko is the modern symbol of Ukraine.

Contrary to popular opinion, Shevchenko was not a village boy who had to travel 100km to train with FC Dynamo Kyiv but a Kyiv resident who moved to the city from his birthplace Dvirkovshchyna at the age of three. Success came quickly; he was part of the Dynamo team that lifted the Soviet Under-16 league title in 1991 and a glittering career for the young Shevchenko was predicted by no less an authority than Ian Rush, the Liverpool FC striker giving the young pretender his boots as a present.

Later that year came an event that would prove pivotal in Shevchenko's life as the Soviet Union – and with it the league – broke apart, leaving clubs such as Dynamo to play against local lower-league sides in the absence of opposition from Russia and other countries. As a result most of the top players moved abroad yet, if this was a serious blow for the Ukrainian league, for the products of the top clubs' youth academies, it gave their fledging careers an invaluable kick-start. The most gifted prodigy was Shevchenko, who made his Dynamo debut aged 18.

That group of teenagers would form the bedrock of the new Ukraine national team for the next decade and beyond. Shevchenko has been there through the highs and lows, never refusing the call and never being accused of playing half-heartedly.

Before the team he now captains took their UEFA European Championship bow against Sweden in his home city on Monday night, Shevchenko had scored 46 goals in 108 international matches. Appropriately, then, when his side most needed it after Zlatan Ibrahimović had given Sweden the lead, two powerful Shevchenko headers came to Ukraine's rescue to give the co-hosts the points and send a packed Olympic Stadium into raptures.

Now 35, Shevchenko’s status as a national treasure has long been assured following a glitteringly successful career at Dynamo, AC Milan, Chelsea FC and now Dynamo again. That makes Shevchenko an icon for millions of Ukrainian fans, equally respected by the older generation – who remember players like Oleh Blokhin and Ihor Belanov – and teenagers who barely caught his golden era. There are many discussions about Ukrainian history, language and politics, but the football team is universally supported.

That makes Shevchenko not only the country's most prominent symbol overseas but also the most popular man in his homeland, a responsibility he carries with remarkable lightness. "I'm just happy, I feel ten years younger," he said after his latest triumph. "It's like a dream."