Poland v Greece (Group A) - Match Thread

[Asha]

So today's the day! The 2012 European Championships are here, the first game sees Poland take on Greece in the Polish capital.

I remember that in the World Cup, we had an individual match thread to discuss each game, so I'm starting the first one here

Poland are the lowest ranked team in the tournament, but obviously have home advantage. Greece won the tournament in 2004, but lost all three games in '08. How will they do this time round?

http://www.bbc.co.uk...otball/18137687 The BBC match preview there, and coverage starts at 4.15pm.

My prediction for this game: 3:1

[AKCJ]

Should we just have a 'Group A' thread, a 'Group B' thread and so on?

We'll end up with no end of threads, otherwise

[Asha]

Hmm, maybe

It worked during the World Cup though, and I seem to recall every single game had at least a few pages of discussion, and thus meriting it's own thread.

It'll be a lot easier to look back later on when wondering 'What was the reaction on here to Ashley Young's dive against France...', as you can find the match thread straight away without trawling through posts about the Ukraine's racist hooligans, Sweden's female fanbase and various other Group D-related matter.

[davieG]

There's pros and cons for separate topics, I wouldn't worry about too many topics though as each match will disappear off the front page as soon as the next round of games are played.

[foxfanazer]

I agree with doing individual threads for the games I think this will finish 2-2

[Asha]

I would expect Poland to possibly line-up something like this:

Szczęsny

Piszczek Wasilewski Perquis Boenisch

Polanski Murawski

Błaszczykowski Mierzejewski Obraniak

Lewandowski

That would be my team anyway, but then I'm not Franciszek Smuda

[HEGGSY]

Can't we just have a general thread for every other game much like "Premier League 2011/12" thread and then separate match threads for England?

Not that I care, just a suggestion.

[foxfanazer]

I would expect Poland to possibly line-up something like this:

Szczęsny

Piszczek Wasilewski Perquis Boenisch

Polanski Murawski

Błaszczykowski Mierzejewski Obraniak

Lewandowski

That would be my team anyway, but then I'm not Franciszek Smuda

You're not?!

[AyewJoking]

A glamorous game to kick off the tournament!

I'm rooting for Poland 2-1

[Nick]

Any black players in this match?

Odds on the ref abandoning the opening game

Not likely, there could be a crowd of 30,000 in monkey suits and throwing banana's and the officials would say "It was a celebration of the opening of a near by monkey sanctuary a week last Tuesday..."

[ScouseFox]

What a glamorous opening fixture this is.

[Haydos]

Poland have some decent attacking players, expect them to put a couple past Greece.

[sphericalfox]

Apparently Lewandowski is an MUFC target. I know this should go somewhere else but that's what I've just heard

[steveherbe]

Haven't EUFA - or whoever is running this circus - shot themselves in the foot by announcing that if there is racist chanting, the referees have been instructed to take the teams off the pitch? Will that mean an abandoned game? If so, I can see 3000 England fans chanting some very racist remarks at England players once the 3rd French goal goes in next monday. Hope not of course.

[AKCJ]

This group I expect Poland and Russia to fight for top spot and Greece and Czech republic to fight to avoid bottom spot.

I reckon Poland will win this one 3-1 and Lewandowski will shine.

[Father Ted]

Boring 0-0 haha

[AlphaMaleFox]

Szczęsny

Piszczek Wasilewski Perquis Boenisch

Polanski Murawski

Błaszczykowski Obraniak Rybus

Lewandowski

This. I'm Franciszek Smuda

[LCFC FOX]

Think it will be a good game as everyone thinks it will be awful and boring

[Asha]

This. I'm Franciszek Smuda

Rybus is a good player but I just prefer Mierzejewski.

And I like Obraniak more in a wider position than centrally.

Your XI would represent consistency because obviously that was the starting line-up against Andorra, but then that wasn't the most convincing performance ever.

Hmm, let's wait and see.

[Jaspa]

5-2 Poland

This Competition will be an absolute goal-fest

[AlphaMaleFox]

Rybus is a good player but I just prefer Mierzejewski.

And I like Obraniak more in a wider position than centrally.

Your XI would represent consistency because obviously that was the starting line-up against Andorra, but then that wasn't the most convincing performance ever.

Hmm, let's wait and see.

[James18]

Prediction 2-2, Lewandowski to score first.

[Kitchandro]

Have Gary and the others actually gone to Ukraine/Poland?

Instead of sitting in a bright studio overlooking one of the cities like usual, they're in a dark room with pictures in the background. I'm pretty sure ITV didn't send anyone other than the commentators to Austria/Switzerland. Seems to be another noticeable cost cutting measure from the BBC.

Always love the first game though it doesn't jump out as an exciting fixture, Greece usually defensive and Poland usually crap.

[Captain...]

Have Gary and the others actually gone to Ukraine/Poland?

Instead of sitting in a bright studio overlooking one of the cities like usual, they're in a dark room with pictures in the background. I'm pretty sure ITV didn't send anyone other than the commentators to Austria/Switzerland. Seems to be another noticeable cost cutting measure from the BBC.

Always love the first game though it doesn't jump out as an exciting fixture, Greece usually defensive and Poland usually crap.

They haven't, they said at the start of the programme.

As for the match,

1:1 is my prediction.

[shen]

Rooting for Poland, but Greece should have good memories from the 2004 opener against the hosts. Greece have also performed very strongly in the qualifiers and friendlies, but I have no clue what to expect from Poland. I expect a low-scoring game though.