Euro 2012 results: Czech Republic 1 Poland 0

Czech Republic 1 Poland 0: Co-hosts limp out as Jiracek sends Bilek's men through

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UPDATED:

21:03 GMT, 16 June 2012

Petr Jiracek's second-half goal ensured the Czech Republic squeaked into the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 as co-hosts Poland suffered an early exit.

Outplayed for the majority of the first half, the Czechs were seemingly stung into action after Greece took a half-time lead against Russia in the other Group A game in Warsaw.

That result left Michal Bilek's men needing all three points to reach the last eight and after dominating the tempo after the interval, Jiracek's calm finish ensured they topped the group, with Russia and Poland the eliminated teams.

Party time: The Czech Republic celebrate their goal (above) and qualification (below)

Party time: The Czech Republic celebrate their goal (above) and qualification (below)

Czech players celebrate after winning during the Euro 2012 championships football match between the Czech Republic and Poland

MATCH FACTS

Czech Republic:
Cech, Gebre Selassie, Sivok, Kadlec, Limbersky, Hubschman, Plasil,
Jiracek (Rajtoral 83), Kolar, Pilar (Rezek 87), Baros (Pekhart 90).

Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Suchy, Hubnik, Necid, Rosicky, Petrzela, Lafata, Darida, Drobny.

Booked: Limbersky, Plasil, Pekhart.

Goals: Jiracek 72.

Poland:
Tyton, Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch, Dudka, Polanski
(Grosicki 56), Blaszczykowski, Murawski (Mierzejewski 73), Obraniak
(Brozek 73), Lewandowski.

Subs Not Used: Szczesny, Wojtkowiak, Kaminski, Matuszczyk, Rybus, Wawrzyniak, Sobiech, Wolski, Sandomierski.

Booked: Murawski, Polanski, Wasilewski, Blaszczykowski, Perquis.

Att: 44,416

Ref: Craig Thomson (Scotland).

Poland knew nothing less than a win would see them reach the knockout stages at the expense of the Czech Republic, who also needed three points to guarantee their qualification for the last eight.

Similar to their previous two matches, Poland were understandably backed by boisterous home support and they nearly gave them something to shout about early on but Dariusz Dudka's overhead kick hit the side netting.

Yet they should have been behind soon after and were grateful for Vaclav Pilar completely fluffing his lines in front of goal after Theodor Gebre Selassie had picked him out with a low ball into the area.

The frenetic start continued, with Poland midfielder Ludovic Obraniak's free-kick from a narrow angle hitting the side netting once more while Robert Lewandowski should have done better after slicing horribly wide with a decent sight at goal.

It seemed only a matter of time that the Czech Republic defence would be breached and goalkeeper Petr Cech had to be at his best to push away Sebastian Boenisch's dipping 30-yard effort.

Winner: Jiracek scores slots the ball past Przemyslaw Tyton to send the Czech Republic through

Winner: Jiracek scores slots the ball past Przemyslaw Tyton to send the Czech Republic through

With the rain teeming down in Wroclaw, the action slowed down a touch although the Czechs, who beat Greece after losing to Russia, ended the half well.

Milan Baros, after beating the offside trap, failed to control David Limbersky's chip over the defence while Pilar's powerful strike from the edge of the area was gathered by Polish keeper Przemyslaw Tyton at the second attempt.

Devastated: Poland players react to their exit from Euro 2012 after defeat to the Czech Republic

Devastated: Poland players react to their exit from Euro 2012 after defeat to the Czech Republic

Devastated: Poland players react to their exit from Euro 2012 after defeat to the Czech Republic

As the teams trudged off at the interval it was the Czechs who would be going through but Greece taking a shock lead on the stroke of half-time against Russia meant both the Czech Republic and Poland needed victory if the result in Warsaw stayed the same.

Spurred into action the Czechs responded positively, dominating possession in the early stages of the second half but failing to create any clear cut chances.

Bored Czech Republic's Tomas Rosicky looks at his mobile phone while sitting on the substitutes' bench

Bored Czech Republic's Tomas Rosicky looks at his mobile phone while sitting on the substitutes' bench

However, Poland were conceding needless free-kicks on the edge of their area and were nearly made to pay for their reckless defending.

Plasil's excellent delivery found Tomas Sivok but his header was blocked and then instantly punched away by Tyton.

Heartbreak: A Poland fan looks on as her side is knocked out of Euro 2012 by the Czech Republic

Heartbreak: A Poland fan looks on as her side is knocked out of Euro 2012 by the Czech Republic

The Czechs were rewarded for their second-half persistence in the 72nd minute as Jiracek gave them a deserved lead.

Baros ran through on goal before sliding the ball to Jiracek, who cut past Boenisch and coolly slotted past Tyton.

Clash: Michal Kadlec and Robert Lewandowski challenge for the ball in Wroclaw

Clash: Michal Kadlec and Robert Lewandowski challenge for the ball in Wroclaw

Poland head coach Franciszek Smuda threw caution to the wind, bringing on Pawel Brozek and Adrian Mierzejewski immediately after but they failed to test Cech although the Czech Republic defended stoutly.

However, in injury time Poland's Jakub Blaszczykowski went through on goal and lifted the ball over Cech only for Tomas Sivok to head off the line, with the final whistle blown immediately after to herald scenes of jubilation from Bilek's men.

Battle: Czech midfielder Vaclav Pilar (left) vies with Polish midfielder Ludovic Obraniak

Battle: Czech midfielder Vaclav Pilar (left) vies with Polish midfielder Ludovic Obraniak

Czech Republic v Poland and Greece v Russia – EURO 2012 LIVE

EURO 2012 LIVE: Czech Republic v Poland and Greece v Russia – all the action as it happens

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UPDATED:

18:59 GMT, 16 June 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of Euro 2012 as co-hosts Poland look stay in the tournament as they take on Czech Republic and Russia look to make the knock-out stages with a draw or better against Greece.

Follow me on Twitter: @JamesAndrew_ or send me an e-mail to: James.Andrew@dailymail.co.uk

GROUP A – LATEST

Czech Republic 0 Poland 0

Greece 0 Russia 0

10mins: Another chance for Poland, this time Boenisch fires wide after a corner is only half cleared.

8mins: Another chance for Poland, this time Robert Lewandowski is played through but fires his shot wide. Good chance for the Poles

6mins: Poland go close again with Obraniak firing just wide with a free-kick from the corner of the area, Cech was happy to let the ball fly wide.

5mins: In the other game, Greece, who have to win, seem to be taking the game to Russia.

3mins: Let off for Poland as the Czech Republic should have taken the lead through Vaclav Pilar who fluffed his shot when in front of goal. Chances at both ends

2mins: Chance for Poland, a free kick is played into the Czech area and Dudka has an over head kick which goes just wide of Petr Cech's goal

7.45pm: We are off in both games, Greece get the game underway while Poland kick off the other game

7.43pm: From OptaJoe on Twitter: Petr Cech has conceded five goals from only six shots on target faced so far in Euro 2012.

7.40pm: The anthems are being sung by both sets of players in the two games.

7.35pm: We are just 10 minutes away from kick off.

7.30pm A stat from @InfostradaLive:

Greece have only scored goals through substitutes at Euro 2012: Salpingidis against Poland and Gekas against Czech Republic. Both players have earned a place in the starting line-up today.

7.15pm: Wojciech Szczesny is available again for Poland after his suspension following his red card against Greece in the opening day, but coach Franciszek Smuda has opted to keep faith with Przemyslaw Tyton in goal.

7.12pm: And here are the teams from the other game in Group A:
Czech Republic: Cech, Gebre Selassie, Sivok, Kadlec, Limbersky, Hubschman, Plasil, Jiracek, Kolar, Pilar, Baros.
Subs: Lastuvka, Suchy, Hubnik, Necid, Rezek, Rosicky, Petrzela, Rajtoral, Pekhart, Lafata, Darida, Drobny.
Poland: Tyton, Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch, Dudka, Polanski, Blaszczykowski, Murawski, Obraniak, Lewandowski.
Subs: Szczesny, Wojtkowiak, Kaminski, Matuszczyk, Rybus, Wawrzyniak, Sobiech, Mierzejewski, Wolski, Grosicki, Brozek, Sandomierski.
Referee: Craig Thomson (Scotland)

Ready and waiting: A Poland fans gets ready for the game in Wroclaw

Ready and waiting: A Poland fans gets ready for the game in Wroclaw

Time to deliver: Greece fans cheer prior to the game in Warsaw

Time to deliver: Greece fans cheer prior to the game in Warsaw

7.10pm: The teams are in:
Greece: Sifakis, Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Tzavelas, Katsouranis, Maniatis, Salpingidis, Karagounis, Samaras, Gekas.
Subs: Chalkias, Malezas, Makos, Liberopoulos, Mitroglou, Fotakis, Ninis, Holebas, Fortounis, Fetfatzidis, Tzorvas.
Russia: Malafeev, Aniukov, Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Shirokov, Denisov, Glushakov, Dzagoev, Kerzhakov, Arshavin.
Subs: Akinfeev, Sharonov, Izmailov, Pavlyuchenko, Kombarov, Granat, Pogrebnyak, Nababkin, Semshov, Shunin.
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)

7.05pm: No confirmed team news yet, but there are rumours that Czech Republic's Tomas Rosicky has not made the starting XI for the game against Poland, confirmation when we get it.

7.00pm: Good evening and welcome to live coverage of tonight's final games in Group A.

The task is simple for hosts Poland, win against Czech Republic and they are through, anything else and they are out.

Russia need just a point against Greece to make the quarter finals where as the the 2004 winners know anything other than a win will see them heading home.

Ready to go: Russia striker Andrey Arshavin is hoping to guide his side into the knock out stages of Euro 2012

Ready to go: Russia striker Andrey Arshavin is hoping to guide his side into the knock out stages of Euro 2012

Euro 2012: Poland 1 Greece 1 – match report

Poland 1 Greece 1: Szczesny nightmare with clanger then red card

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UPDATED:

18:41 GMT, 8 June 2012

Substitute goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton was the hero for Poland in a dramatic European Championship opener in Warsaw in which both sides finished with 10 men.

Tyton came off the bench in the second half for the co-hosts after Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny had been sent off for bringing down Greek substitute Dimitris Salpigidis.

Spot of bother: Greece threw away three points in the Euro 2012 opener after Giorgos Karagounis saw his penalty saved

Spot of bother: Greece threw away three points in the Euro 2012 opener after Giorgos Karagounis saw his penalty saved

MATCH FACTS

POLAND: Szczesny, Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch, Murawski, Polanski, Blaszczykowski, Obraniak, Rybus (Tyton 70), Lewandowski. Subs not used: Sandomierski, Wojtkowiak, Kaminski, Dudka, Matuszczyk, Wawrzyniak, Sobiech, Mierzejewski, Wolski, Grosicki, Brozek.

Goals: Lewandoswki 17.

Sent off: Szczesny

GREECE: Chalkias, Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Avraam Papadopoulos (Kyriakos Papadopoulos 37), Holebas, Maniatis, Katsouranis, Karagounis, Ninis (Salpingidis 46), Gekas (Fortounis 68), Samaras. Subs not used: Tzorvas, Tzavelas, Malezas, Makos, Liberopoulos, Mitroglou, Fotakis, Fetfatzidis, Sifakis.

Goals: Salpingidis 51.

Booked: Holebas

Sent off: Papastathopoulos

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain))

The reserve goalkeeper promptly saved
the resulting spot-kick from Greece captain Giorgos Karagounis to
ensure the points were shared in a wonderfully entertaining match in
Group A at the National Stadium.

Poland will be kicking themselves,
however, after throwing it away having gone in at half-time with a
one-goal lead and with Greece down to 10 men after defender Sokratis
Papastathopoulos was sent off harshly for two innocuous yellow cards.

The Poles, who began the game with swaggering intent in front their home fans, had dominated the first half.

It was no surprise when Robert
Lewandowski gave them the perfect start after 17 minutes, although the
goal had as much to do with the poor positioning of Greek goalkeeper
Kostas Chalkias as the sharpness of Lewandowski.

Chalkias found himself flapping his
arms in no man's land to leave the Borussia Dortmund striker, who scored
a hat-trick in the German cup final last month, to head home a swinging
cross from Jakub Blaszczykowski. It was no more than the Poles
deserved.

Seeing red: Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was dismissed for fouling Dimitris Salpingidis

Seeing red: Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was dismissed for fouling Dimitris Salpingidis

Seeing red: Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was dismissed for fouling Dimitris Salpingidis

They were hungrier, quicker to the
ball and seemingly desperate to prove that while they are the
lowest-ranked team in the tournament they have a realistic chance of
reaching the quarter finals at least.

In that 45 minutes the Greeks looked a
shadow of the organised side who had gained a reputation for being
tough to beat, having lost just one of 21 games under manager Fernando
Santos.

Net gains: Robert Lewandowski gave his side the lead inside 20 minutes with a header

Net gains: Robert Lewandowski gave his side the lead inside 20 minutes with a header

In fact, the Poles would have been
kicking themselves that they were not further ahead at half-time after
Rafal Murawski, Maciej Rybus and Lewandowski all missed clear-cut
chances.

Damien Perquis should also have
scored when the ball fell to him in the penalty area but the Polish
defender, in unfamiliar territory, drilled his shot wildly wide of the
post.

Pure delight: Lewandowski's strike sent the host nation into raptures, both inside and outside the ground

Pure delight: Lewandowski's strike sent the host nation into raptures, both inside and outside the ground

Pure delight: Lewandowski's strike sent the host nation into raptures, both inside and outside the ground

It looked as if the Greeks' fortune had deserted them completely, however, when Papastathopoulos saw red just before half-time.

The Greek defender had become the
first player to be booked in the tournament when he received the yellow
card from Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo for what appeared an
harmless challenge with a Polish attacker.

Shock: Sokratis Papastathopoulos was harshly sent off by referee Carlos Velasco Carballo for two yellow cards

Shock: Sokratis Papastathopoulos was harshly sent off by referee Carlos Velasco Carballo for two yellow cards

His second yellow was equally as
harsh when he was adjudged to have brought down Murawski. The referee,
however, produced red and Greece were down to 10 men and seemingly
heading to an opening defeat.

Perhaps fired up by the injustice the
Greeks, however, came out in the second half with more determination
and resolve and it paid off, even in they did have Szczesny to thank for
their equaliser.

Back in it: A mistake by Szczesny allowed Dimitris Salpigidis to poke his side back on level terms

Back in it: A mistake by Szczesny allowed Dimitris Salpigidis to poke his side back on level terms

Back in it: A mistake by Szczesny allowed Dimitris Salpigidis to poke his side back on level terms

Szczesny raced out of his goal
attempting to collect Vassilis Torosidis' right-wing cross but misjudged
it totally, allowing substitute Salpigidis to score from close-range.

The drama, however, was far from
finished and the teams were down to 10 players each after 70 minutes
when Szczesny endured a moment of madness, sticking out a leg to trip
Salpigidis in the penalty area.

Spotlight: The new National Stadium in Warsaw was a stunning arena for the match to take place, with all the traditional pre-tournament festivities

Spotlight: The new National Stadium in Warsaw was a stunning arena for the match to take place, with all the traditional pre-tournament festivities

Spotlight: The new National Stadium in Warsaw was a stunning arena for the match to take place, with all the traditional pre-tournament festivities

The resulting penalty was delayed
while PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Tyton came off the bench and Maciej Rybus
went off, but Tyton's first action was the most crucial of the match,
saving the tame spot-kick of Karagounis.

A point was probably a fair result. But what a dramatic way for Euro 2012 to begin.

Poland v Greece live – Euro 2012

EURO 2012 LIVE: Poland v Greece – follow the opening game from Warsaw as it happens

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UPDATED:

16:48 GMT, 8 June 2012

The long wait is over as Euro 2012 kicks into action when Poland play Greece in the tournament's opening game in Warsaw. Follow Sportsmail's live coverage of all the action as the 2004 winners attempt to spoil the party for the joint hosts in Group A. Send me your thoughts on the opening game here at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or contact me on Twitter @Ripinho.

Poland 1-0 Greece (5pm)

Click here for the live goals as they go in

Poland: Szczesny, Piszczek,
Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch, Murawski, Polanski, Blaszczykowski,
Obraniak, Rybus, Lewandowski.
Subs: Sandomierski, Wojtkowiak, Kaminski,
Dudka, Matuszczyk, Wawrzyniak, Sobiech, Mierzejewski, Wolski, Grosicki,
Brozek, Tyton.

Goals: Lewandoswki 17.

Greece: Chalkias, Torosidis,
Papastathopoulos, Avraam Papadopoulos (Kyriakos Papadopoulos 37), Holebas, Maniatis, Katsouranis,
Karagounis, Ninis, Gekas, Samaras.
Subs: Tzorvas, Tzavelas, Malezas,
Makos, Liberopoulos, Mitroglou, Salpingidis,
Fotakis, Fortounis, Fetfatzidis, Sifakis.

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)

45min: It's the first red card of the tournament but one of the harshest I have ever seen.

Papastathopoulos concedes another small foul by just putting too much pressure on Murawski, but picks up his second harsh booking and is sent off. Greece cannot believe it and frankly neither can I.

44min: RED CARD (Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Greece)

41min: The Poles have had the best chances but Greece are increasingly looking more composed on the ball. Creating chances seems a long way off though – Szczesny has been a bystander.

38min: And he has been caught cold already! The replacement clears poorly straight to Damien Perquis inside the box, but with the goal at his mercy the Pole fires wide – poor effort.

37min: Papadopoulos tried to run off his injury but it hasn't happened for him and he has been replaced by Kyriakos Papadopoulos.

36min: A harsh first yellow card of the tournament goes to Sokratis Papastathopoulos who is booked for using his arm as leverage when challenging an aerial ball with Lewandoswki. A foul yes. A booking Not for me.

34min: Counter-attacks aside, Poland are struggling to get forward now. They have little to worry about defensively though, Greece are not creating much and their set-pieces have been poor too.

32min: This doesn't look like the side that outsmarted Croatia in the qualifiers. Greece to their credit are attempting to go forward but they are really struggling to keep the ball – it makes England's ball possession look like 'tika-taka'.

29min: Better from Greece as they win a free-kick on the very edge of the box on the right side – but the set-piece is easily headed away by Poland.

26min: Greece are still holding on but their service to the strikers has been woeful so far. We have seen nothing from Giorgas Samaras with the Greeks lacking ambition on the ball.

23min: The Poles are playing with much more confidence now, that goal has really relaxed them. Greece can't get the ball but Papadopoulos is back on.

20min: It's getting worse for Greece. Avraam Papadopoulos is receiving treatment on a leg injury off the pitch. It doesn't look good for him.

Heads I win: Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring with an opportunistic header for Poland

Heads I win: Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring with an opportunistic header for Poland

Heads I win: Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring with an opportunistic header for Poland

17min: GOAL! POLAND 1-0 Greece

It's been coming but this is terrible goalkeeping. Chalkis races from his line to cut out a cross but he gets nowhere near the ball and allows Robert Lewandowski to head into the corner of the net. The Greeks will have to attack now.

15min: Oh what a chance! Lukasz Piszcek finds space on the right inside the box, but failing to decide whether to cross for Lewandoswki or shoot, he does neither and scuffs a ball across goal for nobody. Poland on top.

14min: Another half-chance for the hosts. Poland break down the right but a cross into the box is directed over by Jakub Blaszczykowski.

11min: The organised Greeks seem to be playing for set-pieces, as they take their time with a free-kick 40 yards out to the right this time.

Giorgas Karagounis delivers a long ball into the box and although Fanis Gekas manages to connect with it, he can only nod wide of the target.

8min: Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny hasn't touched the ball yet, with Poland starting much the stronger.

That goal-mouth action a few minutes back is the only real high note so far though.

5min: Poland are first to threaten. After a snap-shot is blocked, Rafal Murawski strikes form the edge of the box but Kostas Chalkis manages to tip the effort (which is straight at him) over the bar.

4min: From OptaJoe:

1 – Greece have only won one of nine group matches at European Championship finals. Spartan.

3min: Slow start to the game as Greece win a free-kick on the left 40 yards out. The cross in though is cleared by Robert Lewandowski.

Getting shirty: Greece's Sokratis Papastathopoulos challenges Poland's Robert Lewandoswki

Getting shirty: Greece's Sokratis Papastathopoulos challenges Poland's Robert Lewandoswki

Kick-off: Greece get Euro 2012 up and running.

16.55: Out come the teams, I'm getting a sense of deja-vu here. Who remembers when Greece entertained the hots nation in 2004 on the opening day We all know how that tournament ended.

16.52: The teams are in the tunnel, one thing that isn't the lacking is the home support. They are making a huge amount of noise. Will Poland thrive or freeze on the big occasion though.

Impressive: The opening ceremony was basic but entertaining

Impressive: The opening ceremony was basic but entertaining

16.49: As everyone comes together to form the Euro 2012 logo, the ceremony comes to and end and in truth it was enjoyable enough. Time to quickly clear the pitch – the teams are on in just over five minutes time.

16.46: Some Euro-techno takes over now as the dancers continually to impressively strut their stuff.

It all looks basic but it looks better than being overdone as was the case in South Africa two years ago.

16.43: The opening ceremony is under way, I always think the bar was set at USA 94 when Diana Ross missed a penalty – plenty of dancing and piano playing so far but not much else.

16.40: Poland meanwhile are the lowest ranked side in the world going into this competition at 62nd – but home advantage is going to be behind them.

To underline just how competitive this tournament is, Poland will not be seen as cannon fodder.

Sealed with a kiss: Polish supporters show their support while the Euro 2012 mascots pose in front of Greece fans

Sealed with a kiss: Polish supporters show their support while the Euro 2012 mascots pose in front of Greece fans

Sealed with a kiss: Polish supporters show their support while the Euro 2012 mascots pose in front of Greece fans

16.35: From InfostradaLive:

Greece have lost only once in 21 international matches under coach Fernando Santos. He started his Greek managerial career with an unbeaten run of 17 matches (W10-D7-L0), a national record. In total he is now on a 11W-9D-1L record with Greece. That only defeat came against Romania in a friendly last November (1-3).

16.30: The Greeks came top of their qualifying group ahead of Croatia, and with an experienced and tight-knit squad will aim to shine without the attention of being the holders – something that weighed them down at Euro 2008.

16.27: This game pits two sides who failed to win a game at Euro 2008, but Greece especially looked good during qualifying under Fernando Santos's watch – they haven't lost a competitive match under him.

Flying the flag: Poland and Greece fans show their support

Flying the flag: Poland and Greece fans show their support

Flying the flag: Poland and Greece fans show their support

16.24: The head-to-heads clearly favour Poland. Greece have never beaten the co-hosts in six attempts.

Interestingly, Poland defeated Greece 1-0 just days before the Greeks stunned everyone to win Euro 2004 – less interestingly the last meeting in March 2011 ended 0-0 – none of the latter tonight please.

16.21: Sportsmail's Ian Ladyman:

Poland players take to the field in Warsaw. Red and white everywhere. Heaven knows why the roof is closed. #euro2012

16.19: From InfostradaLive:

Jens Lehmann and Ivica Vastic are the only players to debut at a ECh at an older age than Chalkias but both had played at WCs.

16.16: So let's focus on our opening game, which to be honest isn't the most appetising I have ever seen.

But let's give it a chance, South Africa v Mexico wasn't billed to be a classic but it was one of the better games at the 2010 World Cup (I know that doesn't say much considering the dire tournament that turned out to be.)

Ready to go: Poland fans arrived early for their opening game with Greece

Ready to go: Poland fans arrived early for their opening game with Greece

Ready to go: Poland fans arrived early for their opening game with Greece

16.13: No time to waste though as the team news from our opening game between Poland and Greece is in:

Poland v Greece
Poland: Szczesny, Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch, Murawski, Polanski, Blaszczykowski, Obraniak, Rybus, Lewandowski. Subs: Sandomierski, Wojtkowiak, Kaminski, Dudka, Matuszczyk, Wawrzyniak, Sobiech, Mierzejewski, Wolski, Grosicki, Brozek, Tyton.

Greece: Chalkias, Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Avraam Papadopoulos, Holebas, Maniatis, Katsouranis, Karagounis, Ninis, Gekas, Samaras. Subs: Tzorvas, Tzavelas, Malezas, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Makos, Liberopoulos, Mitroglou, Salpingidis, Fotakis, Fortounis, Fetfatzidis, Sifakis.

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)

16.10: For the football fan at least, the European Championship is the biggest sporting event of the summer. Only the World Cup holds more importance but with so many strong sides saturated in this competition there is no where to hide at the Euros.

So as we prepare to witness 15 of the strongest teams from the continent and England* do battle, let me welcome you to Sportsmail's live coverage of the Euro 2012.

*(Just joking folks, COME ON ENGLAND!)

Red alert: Poland warmed up for the tournament with friendly wins over Latvia, Slovakia and Andorra

Red alert: Poland warmed up for the tournament with friendly wins over Latvia, Slovakia and Andorra

Poland v Greece live

EURO 2012 LIVE: Poland v Greece – follow the opening game from Warsaw as it happens

|

UPDATED:

15:15 GMT, 8 June 2012

The long wait is over as Euro 2012 kicks into action when Poland play Greece in the tournament's opening game in Warsaw. Follow Sportsmail's live coverage of all the action as the 2004 winners attempt to spoil the party for the joint hosts in Group A. Send me your thoughts on the opening game here at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or contact me on Twitter @Ripinho.

Poland v Greece (5pm)

Click here for the live goals as they go in

Poland: Szczesny, Piszczek,
Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch, Murawski, Polanski, Blaszczykowski,
Obraniak, Rybus, Lewandowski.
Subs: Sandomierski, Wojtkowiak, Kaminski,
Dudka, Matuszczyk, Wawrzyniak, Sobiech, Mierzejewski, Wolski, Grosicki,
Brozek, Tyton.

Greece: Chalkias, Torosidis,
Papastathopoulos, Avraam Papadopoulos, Holebas, Maniatis, Katsouranis,
Karagounis, Ninis, Gekas, Samaras.
Subs: Tzorvas, Tzavelas, Malezas,
Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Makos, Liberopoulos, Mitroglou, Salpingidis,
Fotakis, Fortounis, Fetfatzidis, Sifakis.

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)

14.16: So let's focus on our opening game, which to be honest isn't the most appetising I have ever seen.

But let's give it a chance, South Africa v Mexico wasn't billed to be a classic but it was one of the better games at the 2010 World Cup (I know that doesn't say much considering the dire tournament that turned out to be.)

14.13: No time to waste though as the team news from our opening game between Poland and Greece is in:

Poland v Greece
Poland: Szczesny, Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch, Murawski, Polanski, Blaszczykowski, Obraniak, Rybus, Lewandowski. Subs: Sandomierski, Wojtkowiak, Kaminski, Dudka, Matuszczyk, Wawrzyniak, Sobiech, Mierzejewski, Wolski, Grosicki, Brozek, Tyton.

Greece: Chalkias, Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Avraam Papadopoulos, Holebas, Maniatis, Katsouranis, Karagounis, Ninis, Gekas, Samaras. Subs: Tzorvas, Tzavelas, Malezas, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Makos, Liberopoulos, Mitroglou, Salpingidis, Fotakis, Fortounis, Fetfatzidis, Sifakis.

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)

14.10: For the football fan at least, the European Championship is the biggest sporting event of the summer. Only the World Cup holds more importance but with so many strong sides saturated in this competition there is no where to hide at the Euros.

So as we prepare to witness 15 of the strongest teams from the continent and England* do battle, let me welcome you to Sportsmail's live coverage of the Euro 2012.

*(Just joking folks, COME ON ENGLAND!)

Red alert: Poland warmed up for the tournament with friendly wins over Latvia, Slovakia and Andorra

Red alert: Poland warmed up for the tournament with friendly wins over Latvia, Slovakia and Andorra