Euro 2012: My thoughts so far - Group A

So we're well into the tournament now, so I thought since I've failed on my promise to deliver a few match reports I'd do this instead. So without further ado, here's my general thoughts on each team and who I'm tipping to reach European glory later this month. Here's the first of four instalments.

Group A:

Poland - Tournament co-hosts and one of the lesser teams in the competition with all due respect. They've shown glimpses of being contenders to progress from their group, but then they've fallen away towards the end of matches. Most notably during the Greece game, after going 1-0 up and facing a Greek team with 10 men, they lacked that experience needed to close out games.

Key man

Robert Lewandowski - The Borussia Dortmund striker leads the line excellently for the Poles and is clinical when he gets the chance, he needs to be playing well for them to succeed.

Greece - The Greeks look like they won't be able to emulate their 2004 successes any time soon. They look sloppy on the ball and are lucky to have the one point they sit bottom of Group A with. There's very little chance that they will qualify, but that would hardly hold any injustice about it. Their main player, so to speak - Georgios Samaras, has been ineffective to say the least and the team look like they just don't hold enough quality to compete at this level.

Key man


Granted, I don't know much about Greek international football, but due to his pride salvaging appearance off the bench in the opening game it has to be Dimitris Salpigidis, he just looked to have a certain cutting edge that the rest of the team lacked.



Czech Republic - After racking my brain to try and recall their two matches I realised why I couldn't. The reason being that they've been the most average team in the tournament, no-one's really stood out for them, while holding the second qualification place, they still have to face Poland which I can only see going one way.

Key man


Petr Cech - The Chelsea goalkeeper has had two poor matches so far, for the Czechs to qualify, he needs to stay solid between the sticks.






Russia - By far the stand out team in the group. They're quick and fluent in attack and a rejuvenated Arshavin has looked at his best playing in a more favourable central role for him. While drawing with Poland, they can confirm qualification with a win over bottom of the table Greece.

Key man

Alan Dzagoev - Currently the tournament's joint top goalscorer and the only Russian ever to be called Alan. He's looked sharp on the ball and has the ability to finish when he gets the chance, expect a few more goals from him in the latter stages.