Here's a look at the 4 teams making up the group A division in this years Euro Cup tournament.
Greece
Overview:
Greeks will have the fond memories of victory in 2004, and the bitter taste of defeat from the 2008 campaign when their team takes the field in June. They have drawn the relatively weak group A, improving their chances of making it to the quarter-finals. They went undefeated, 7-3-0 in qualifying (in the relatively weak group F), and have played to a 3-5-1 record in their last nine international games.
Group Stage:
The Greek’s first test comes against hosts Poland. The two teams played to a draw last March. In the 16 games that these two nations have played against each other Greece has won only 4 times. On top of that, they have only played to draws 12.5% percent of the time; look for someone to come out ahead in that one.
Greece play their second game against the Czech Republic, a matchup that has only happened three times over the years. Greece beat the Czech’s in the semi-finals in 2004 on their way to winning the cup. The two other times these teams have faced off have resulted in scoreless draws.
Finally, Greece face off against the Russians. When the two sides met in November it resulted in a 1-1 draw. The Greeks and Russians have met in the group stage of the last two European Championships, with Russia coming out ahead both times. Also, in their past 10 international matches Greece has come out ahead only once.
Players/Personnel:
Tziolis and Panagiotis Kone have been left off Greece’s European Cup side as the coach has instead opted to include the young 19 year-old winger Kostas Fortunis. The team seems to have solid goal scoring support from the back as two defenders and a midfielder have 2 goals each in recent international games.
Poland
Overview:
Hosts Poland enters this tournament with solid play in their last five international matches. With 4 wins and a draw against international powerhouse Portugal, the Polish players will be riding a high that may very well carry them into the later stages of the European Championship. With earlier draws to Germany and Korean Republic, the Polish team could be another in the long list of teams that have taken advantage of home field play.
Group Stage:
Players and fans alike will look forward to the opening game against Greece for many reasons, however the well informed will know that this anticipation should be a result of the 10-2-4 record Poland has against Greece in international competitions; when a team wins the matchup 62.5% of the time it is nothing to be ignored.
Poland and Russia have only met 3 times in international football competition since 1996. With a 1-1-1- record this game will be tough to predict. Both sides have scored 5 goals, and their last meeting, in 2007, was played to a 2-2 draw.
Poland’s final match in the group stage comes against the Czech Republic. These two teams were in the same qualifying group for the World Cup in 2012. They played twice during that time with each team winning a game. In their international history since 1997 Poland has won 3 games to the Czech Republic’s 2 with no draws.
Players/Personnel:
Polish fans will look for Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny to stand tall between the posts and keep opponents from scoring moral depleting goals.
Czech Republic
Overview:
The Czechs have not won the European Championship since 1976 and this year doesn’t look like it is going to be their return to glory. The Czechs were 4-1-3 in qualifying, requiring them to enter a playoff in order to make the tournament. While they are a long shot to take the title, they have been placed in the easiest grouping, giving them a good chance to advance into the second round.
Group Stage:
Czechs first matchup is against Russia, these teams have gone head to head once since 1996 and the game ended in a 3-3 draw. The history leaves much to the imagination but Russia appears to have a stronger team.
The Czechs go on to play Greece in their second match. The teams have faced off 4 times, 3 ending in draws and 1 in a win for Greece. With 3 draws in 4 meetings, this is a tough one to call.
The Czechs last game of the first round will be against the tournaments host, Poland. These teams have met 5 times dating back to 1997, Poland making out with 3 wins and Czechs coming up short in their previous meetings with only 2 wins. The most recent meeting in 2009 went to the Czechs but Poland does have home court advantage, this one could go either way.
Players/Personnel:
The Czechs will be looking to Petr Cech put in a strong performance in front of the net. Tomas Rosicky joins Czech republic From Arsenal FC and his performance will be closely tied to their fate. Michal Kadlec has been the stand out for the Czechs thus far, this defender was the captain of the Czechs team in 1996 and has netted 4 goals in 10 games so far.
Russia
Overview:
Russia has won the European Championship just once and it was in 1960 as the USSR. Russia emerged from the qualifying round with a record of 7 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss. This qualifying record has Russia looking strong, but is less impressive when you look at the weak teams they faced. Look for Russia to be advancing again after being placed in yet another easy grouping.
Group Stage:
Russia opens the first round against Czech Republic, a team they have only faced once in their team’s history. The previous meeting ended in a 3-3 draw, offering little insight into the matchup, but Russia has the edge with a stronger team.
Russia’s next obstacle will be the Polish squad, who are enjoying home field advantage. In their previous meetings Russia tallied a win, a loss and a draw. With the 1-1-1 record and Poland’s home advantage, pundits will be divided on who will get the edge in this one.
Greece will be Russia’s last game in the first round and in the history of their meetings, Russia came out with 4 wins, 5 draws and 1 loss. Russia beat Greece in 2004 when Greece was in their finest form winning the tournament and this time should be no different, Russia will be looking for 3 points in this one.
Players/Personnel:
Arsenal FC’s Andrei Arshavin is widely accepted as Russia’s best player and despite the fact that he hasn’t tallied a goal yet, you can look to him for a strong performance moving forward. Midfielder Alan Dzagoev is another key player on Russia’s roster the youngster is building a name for himself in the world of football. If his 4 goals in the qualifiers are any indication of his performance moving forward, he will be relevant in the rest of Russia’s campaign. Roman Pavlyuchenko has also made his presence known with 4 goals in only 7 qualifying games.
