Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!
The first shockmate of this Euro 2012. The favorite of Group A, Russia, is eliminated.
Greece won 1-0 against Russia while Czech won 1-0 against host country, Poland.
- It's definitely a huge surprise to see Russia being eliminated in this Euro. Though, they have a better goal difference than Greece, the new Euro rule states that direct confrontation matters first. Thus, Greece victory gave them the extra plus.
- Russia definitely had a promising team. A team very dangerous on counters mostly but perhaps, the defense wasn't good enough and that was their downfall.
- And obviously, it was harder to pierce a packed defense despite them, having good chances.
- We still saw that Arshavin is a good player at times and a star was born in Dzagoev. Too bad, he couldn't show more of his talent.
- Czech aren't really the most deserving - especially since they finished first but they had the required experience to clinch those 2 victories against 2 "weaker" teams.
- Greece were to stereotypical against Czech while Poland dropped form in the match and handed it to Czech. Congrats to Cech and Co.
- Poland's main problem was the dropping form in this Euro. Despite the home support, they were never able to do a long period of good football. They did a great 45 minutes against Greece, a good 30-40 minutes against Russia and a good 25 minutes against Czech. And on a longer duration, they were eliminated.
- Greece just put another major upset in Euro history after their 2004 win.
- They were last before Matchday 3 but with a good hold-up goal in first half, a courageous display and 2 stellar performances by its captain Karagounis and striker Samaras, they did the impossible and kicked out Russia.
- Given their economic crisis in their country and its political instability, Greece's qualification to quarter-finals will be like a new lease of hope to certain of its people. And it's nice to see football and sports delivering these joy.
- I don't think either Czech or Greeks will go far but they still delivered a thunderbolt by qualifying and this time, it's not climate-related.
Haha, I wrote in the wrong team xd I meant Czech and Russia of course! 
But at least I got right on who went through xD:zonder:
