Group A

Czech still haunted by Euro 2004 Greece defeat

Wroclaw (Poland): Eight year later, the Czech Republic is still haunted by the Silver Goal scored by Greece in the 2004 semifinals. Czech Republic captain Tomas Rosicky, one of three players at this year's European Championship who was in the 2004 squad, has called it the most bitter moment of his international career. "It was the most painful loss for me with the national team," said Rosicky, who has made...  

Tensions high ahead of Poland vs Russia match

Warsaw: Poland and Russia are doing their best to keep their minds on soccer ahead of a Euro 2012 Group A game on Tuesday that off the pitch looks like one of the tournament's potential flashpoints. Authorities in Warsaw have been working hard behind the scenes to ease concerns over a planned march by Russian fans through the city to the national stadium. Minister of Sport Joanna Mucha has played...  

UEFA charges Russia over fan violence

Warshaw: UEFA charged the Russian soccer association on Saturday after fans were filmed fighting with stadium stewards after a European Championship match. UEFA also is seeking more evidence to investigate reports of "alleged abuse directed at Czech Republic players" during Russia's 4-1 win in Wroclaw on Friday. "UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Football Union of Russia for the improper conduct of its supporters," it said in a statement....  

Greece defender Papadopoulos out of Euro 2012

WARSAW: Greece central defender Avraam Papadopoulos will miss the rest of Euro 2012 after suffering a knee injury in their 1-1 draw in the tournament's opening game against co-hosts Poland on Friday. He was replaced after 37 minutes by his namesake Kyriakos, before being taken to hospital where scans showed the 27-year-old had suffered damaged ligaments in his left knee. After returning to the team hotel, the Hellenic Football Federation...  

Champions of Europe: Arshavin back to his best

CNN-IBN panel of experts discuss the first two opening matches of Euro 2012 in great detail. ...

Russia fire warning shots to Euro 2012 elite

Wroclaw: In what many were predicting would be a group filled with bore draws, Russia have set the tournament alight with a 4-1 drubbing of the Czech Republic. The sbornaya have an outstanding record in European Championships and they have sent out a warning to whichever team that they meet in the quarter finals - a stage they now look almost certain to reach. The Russians showed the spark and...  

Thank God I saved penalty: Poland's Tyton

Warsaw: Przemyslaw Tyton was relieved after his save from a penalty ensured Poland recorded a point against Greece but felt his side should have done better. The hosts dominated the first half and took the lead through Robert Lewandowski inside 20 minutes, with Sokratis Papadopoulos sent off for a second bookable offence before half time. But their opponents equalised after the restart and the PSV goalkeeper was required to replace...  

Russia cruise past listless Czech Republic 4-1

Wroclaw: An outstanding attacking display from Russia had as its highlight two wonderfully taken goals from Alan Dzagoev, as they cruised to a 4-1 win over the Czech Republic in Euro 2012's Group A. Dzagoev and Roman Shirokov hit before half time to put the Eastern Europeans in a commanding position, although they could have led by more if not for wasteful finishing. Vaclav Pilar then gave the Czechs a...  

Greece coach proud of his men after Euro opener

Warsaw: Greece boss Fernando Santos has spoken of his delight at his team's effort in the 1-1 draw with Poland in the inaugural game of Euro 2012. The Ethniki fell behind courtesy of a goal by Robert Lewandowski, and shortly after had a player sent off, as Sokratis Papastathopoulos was given his marching orders for two yellow cards. Nonetheless, they managed to fight back, grabbing an equaliser through substitute Dimitris...  

Poland's dream start ruined by Szczesny

Warsaw: After all of the off-the-field issues surrounding the build up to Euro 2012, both Poland and Greece opened the competition in a welcome thrilling encounter at Warsaw's stunning Stadion Narodowy. With Franciszek Smuda's right-side providing the basis of the majority of Poland's attacks during the opening period, it was only a matter of time before the Biae-Ory opened the scoring " and after just 17 minutes, Lukasz Piszczek, Jakub...  

Poland held by Greece 1-1 in Euro opener

Warsaw: Poland and Greece played out a thrilling 1-1 draw with two red cards and a penalty in the opening game of Euro 2012 at the National Stadium in Warsaw. Franciszek Smuda's men dominated the proceedings in the first half and deservedly took the lead through Robert Lewandowski. Just before half-time, Sokratis Papastathopoulos was sent off for a second bookable offence, leaving Greece with an uphill task to overturn their...  

Russia's aiming for SF spot in Euro: Arshavin

Warsaw: Andrey Arshavin is desperate to repeat Russia's Euro 2008 performances at this summer's European Championship, as he wants his country to make it to at least the semi-finals in Poland and Ukraine. The Russians were beaten 3-0 by eventual winners Spain four years ago, and Arshavin is keen to reach the final four of the competition once more. "Getting to the semi-finals would be a success. because then we...  

Hosts Poland held by Greece in Euro opener

Warsaw: Dimitris Salpigidis earned Greece a 1-1 draw with co-host Poland on Friday in the opening match of the European Championship. The substitute striker knocked in a loose ball in the 51st minute, only six minutes after coming on at halftime. Robert Lewandowski had given Poland the lead by heading in a goal in the 17th minute. Both teams finished with 10 men, and Greece missed a chance to take...  

Champions of Europe: Cream of Europe to compete

CNN-IBN panel of experts analyses the teams and other factors ahead of the upcoming Euro 2012 opener. ...

Euro 2012: Let the beautiful game begin

The Euro 2012 will kick off on Friday, with 16 nations battling for the most prestigious European football trophy. ...

Russia lack the pace, admits Arshavin

Wroclaw, Poland: Andrei Arshavin says his Russia team lacks the pace needed to be seen as a serious contender for the European Championship. Russia, who take on the Czech Republic on Friday in the teams' Group A opener, have the oldest forward line at Euro 2012 with an average age of 30. However, they have looked fit and sharp in training this week. Arshavin tells the UEFA.com website Russia "lack...  

Russia aim to start Euro on a high

Wroclaw: Beating Italy 3-0 in a final pre-tournament friendly was not good enough for Russia coach Dick Advocaat. After last Friday's match, the Dutchman scanned video of the match looking for ways his team could improve. "The good thing is, hopefully it gives us confidence we can score three times against a team like Italy with all its individual stars," Advocaat said. "On the other hand, I saw the game...