Greece 1 - 2 Czech Republic ( euro 2012 )

Early goals from Petr Jiracek and Vaclav Pilar saw Czech Republic revive their Euro 2012 campaign with victory over Group A rivals Greece in Wroclaw.

GettyImages

Fanis Gekas takes advantage of Petr Cech's error

MATCH SUMMARY

Man of the Match: Theodor Gebre Selassie. The right-back was a bundle of energy for the Czechs, continuing to offer attacking support even in the second half when his country faded - indeed, he covered over 10km. He provided the assist for Vaclav Pilar as he got in behind the Greeks' defence before pulling back a cross that left goalkeeper Kostas Chalkias looking rather silly indeed.

Greece verdict: Twice now they have paid the price for starting matches slowly. Against Poland they were asleep for the first half, and this course of events repeated itself on Tuesday evening. In the second period, when the Czechs were not their bustling first-half selves, Greece upped the ante. And, again like Matchday One, a substitute proved effective as Theofanis Gekas popped up with a goal. Alas, they do not appear as if they have enough to make it to the knockout phase.

Czech Republic verdict: A response was required, and a response was witnessed. After a humiliating 4-1 loss against the Russians in their opening game, the Czechs played with the bit between their teeth, although they were aided by the aimless Greeks. Petr Jiracek epitomised a more gutsy display which puts them back in the Group A reckoning, yet an injury to Tomas Rosicky, who was replaced at half-time, is cause for concern.

Could do better: Petr Cech. Not a great match for goalkeepers as the injured Kostas Chalkias was replaced after 22 minutes having been at fault for both goals. Not to be outdone in the egg on face stakes, however, was Chelsea keeper Cech as he spilled the ball like a bar of soap to allow Gekas to pounce. Fortunately, it did not cost his side three points.

Stat attack: Only Peter Schmeichel (20) has ever conceded more goals at European Championship finals than Petr Cech.

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The Czechs were 2-0 to the good inside just six minutes as midfielders Jiracek and Pilar made the most of some generous Greek defending. Substitute Fanis Gekas pulled a goal back after a terrible error by Petr Cech, but Fernando Santos' side lacked the guile to carve out an equaliser.

Poland 1 - 1 Russia ( euro 2012 )

Jakub Blaszczykowski's 58th-minute equaliser salvaged a crucial point for co-hosts Poland and scuppered Russia's hopes of becoming the first team to book their place in the Euro 2012 knockout stages as the match finish 1-1.

Ireland 1 - 3 Croatia ( euro 2012)

AP

Nikica Jelavic scores as Ireland appeal for offside

Man of the Match: Mario Mandzukic.Decisive contributions at the beginning of each half from the Wolfsburg frontman were responsible for Croatia's victory. Tucked in on the right of Nikica Jelavic, Mandzukic's link-up play provided a constant threat and he showed his eye for a goal by heading Croatia in front early on, before his header hit the post and deflected off Shay Given for Croatia's third.

Croatia verdict: Possessing a lively front pair, Slaven Bilic's side offered plenty of excitement in attack, with Luka Modric pulling the strings in midfield. Goalkeeper Stipe

Spain 1 - 1 Italy ( Euro 2012 )

PA Photos

Francesc Fabregas celebrates his equaliser

Spain and Italy shared the spoils in their Group C encounter in Gdansk after Cesc Fabregas equalised Antonio Di Natale's opener.

Di Natale put the Azzurri ahead minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute for an out-of-sorts Mario Balotelli, but reigning European champions Spain picked themselves up immediately - Barcelona's Fabregas pouncing on a through-ball from David Silva to bring them level just two-and-a-half minutes later.

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Giovanni Trapattoni has led Ireland to an impressive unbeaten run ahead of the tournament

Group C

14:45 EDT, June 10, 2012

Stadion Miejski (Poznan)

Video: Netherlands 0 - 1 Denmark

1st

Live stream: Germany v Portugal Live football

Live stream: Germany v Portugal Live football

Euro 2012

Group B

18:45 +00:00, June 9, 2012

Arena Lviv, Ukraine

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Russia 4 - 1 Czech Republic

Russia went top of Group A in Euro 2012 as Alan Dzagoev's double helped them to an impressive victory over the Czech Republic at the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw.

MATCH SUMMARY

Man of the Match: Alan Dzagoev. The golden boy of Russian football, who has been linked with Manchester United and Real Madrid, scored a brace to make his mark on the Euros. His constant movement in the final third of the pitch meant he was always open to receive or provide a pass and his finishing was clinical.

Russia verdict: The scoreline does not flatter Russia, who apart from a slight wobble when the Czechs pulled a goal back to make it 2-1, dominated the match in Wroclaw. Andrei Arshavin was pivotal for the Russians, linking particularly well with Zenit team-mate Dzagoev. However, they did needlessly allow the Czechs to pose a threat for brief periods in both halves, so complacency could be an issue.

Czech Republic verdict: Showed a lack of ideas going forward until too late. Vaclav Pilar sparkled occasionally with a well taken goal but seasoned performers such as Tomas Rosicky and Milan Baros looked old, rather than experienced. The lack of a cutting edge is particularly troublesome given that they can't defend either.

Could do better: Alexander Kerzhakov. The Zenit St Petersburg striker was fed a host of chances by his team-mates, only to waste every single one. He becomes the first striker in European Championship history to have 7 shots off target in a single game. He was hauled off after 74 minutes. His replacement, Roman Pavlyuchenko, set up Alan Dzagoev then scored Russia's fourth goal himself.

Stat attack: Russia's Alan Dzagoev, 21, is the second youngest player to score a brace at the Euros. England striker Wayne Rooney did it when he was 18-years-old.

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Dick Advocaat's side made a slow start but soon found their

Hungary 0 - 0 Ireland ( friendly)

GettyImages

Ireland striker Kevin Doyle battles for 

possession with Hungary's Adam Szalai

Shay Given and John O'Shea proved their fitness ahead of Euro 2012 as Republic of Ireland extended their unbeaten run to 14 games in Hungary.

Given excelled on his return from a knee injury before making a half-time exit, while O'Shea was given the full 90 minutes to prepare him for Sunday's opening Group C fixture against Croatia in Poznan.

With Croatia boss Slaven Bilic among the crowd, Ireland once again demonstrated the resilience which helped them qualify for the finals, although they failed to take any of the chances they created to win the game.

Olić out as Croatia call on Kalinić

Ivica Olić will miss UEFA EURO 2012 after tests in Munich confirmed he had torn a hamstring, prompting Croatia coach Slaven Bilić to call up Nikola Kalinić as a replacement.Slaven Bilić has suffered a setback in his planning for UEFA EURO 2012 with forward Ivica Olić ruled out of the competition because of a hamstring injury, forcing the Croatia coach to turn to Nikola Kalinić as a replacement.

England lose defender Cahill to broken jaw

England have suffered another injury blow after Gary Cahill was forced to withdraw from their UEFA EURO 2012 squad because of a fractured jaw.

The 26-year-old, who recently won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea FC, sustained the injury when colliding with England goalkeeper Joe Hart during last night's 1-0 friendly victory against Belgium at Wembley.

EURO stage braced for teenage kicks

UEFA EURO 2012 will showcase some of the most recognised footballers in the world but there is also a clutch of teenage starlets hoping to make a name for themselves.

When UEFA EURO 2012 gets under way in earnest in just over a week, aficionados of the beautiful game will get to see some of the finest players in world football. From Xavi Hernández to Cristiano Ronaldo, Robin van Persie to Philipp Lahm, Zlatan Ibrahimović to Gianluigi Buffon, the continent's best-known footballers will be all competing to emerge as conquerors of Europe.
But at every major tournament a new star is born.

Spain 4 - 1 South Korea ( friendly)

Netherlands 2 - 0 Slovakia ( friendly)

Netherlands suffered two injury scares ahead of Euro 2012 as Wilfred Bouma and Wesley Sneijder were forced off during a 2-0 home victory over Slovakia in Rotterdam.

GettyImages

Wesley Sneijder,Stijn Schaars and Ibrahim Afellay celebrates the opening goal

PSV Eindhoven centre-back Bouma had to be substituted after a collision in the first minute when he and defensive colleague Johnny Heitinga clashed heads. Feyenoord's Ron Vlaar was Bouma's replacement, while Heitinga was comfortable enough to stay on the pitch.
Ibrahim Afellay helped to put Holland in front after seven minutes when the Barcelona forward, who returned to action only last month after a serious knee injury, produced a tricky run along the left and his low cross prompted Slovakia defender Kornel Salata to put the ball into his own goal.
After defeats to Bayern Munich and Bulgaria, Holland were seeking a confidence-boosting win ahead of their European Championship campaign.
Robin van Persie fired a shot over the crossbar but was mostly kept quiet by Slovakia around the penalty area, and Klaas Jan Huntelaar came off the bench to replace the Arsenal man midway through the second half.
Sneijder had already gone off by that stage, the Inter Milan playmaker suffering an ankle knock in the 51st minute, with Holland boss Bert van Marwijk wanting to take no further risk with such a key player.
Rafael van der Vaart doubled Holland's lead after 75 minutes with a precise low right-footed shot from 15 yards across goalkeeper Jan Mucha and into the left corner.
Afellay made way for Dirk Kuyt late on, while Luciano Narsingh was brought on in place of Arjen Robben for an international debut.
Holland complete their match preparation for Euro 2012 when they play Northern Ireland in Amsterdam on Saturday.
Source: Soccernet.com

Euro 2012: Trapattoni reveals tough decision in leaving Foley out of Republic squad

Giovanni Trapattoni has revealed Paul McShane was handed Kevin Foley's ticket to Euro 2012 amid fears of a crisis in central defence.
Kevin Foley last night said he felt "betrayed" after he was dramatically cut from Ireland's Euro 2012 squad by Trapattoni.
The Ireland manager decided to bring Paul McShane to Poland instead due to his ability to also cover centre-half, as there are slight doubts hanging over Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger and Darren O'Dea.
But that was no consolation for the distraught and usually mild-mannered Foley, who emotionally hit out after asking to play in last night's 5-0 friendly win over a local Tuscany selection so he could prove to the wider world that he has fully recovered from a hamstring problem.
The Wolves man had no idea what was coming when he was called for a meeting with Trapattoni 30 minutes before the deadline for submitting the 23-man squad to UEFA.
"I just feel betrayed, that's all I want to say," said Foley. "I said that to the manager, I obviously wasn't happy.
McShane was only drafted in as the 24th member of the squad last week after being called up from stand-by with Richard Dunne , John O'Shea and Sean St Ledger all struggling with injury.
And although Dunne and St Ledger have since returned to action, Darren O'Dea has joined O'Shea on the sidelines in recent days.
As a result, Trapattoni opted to hand a place to the man who spent the second half of last season on loan at Crystal Palace because he can play at both full-back and in the middle.
The 73-year-old said: "We based our decision on the fact of the centre-halves - Dunne, O'Shea and O'Dea - all have problems. We are not sure if they will be 100pc.
"McShane did a careful medical check and we decided to include him in the 23.
"The reason behind this is we need one more central defender and we know they are more subject to bookings."
Trapattoni, who took a similar decision to leave Roberto Baggio at home for the 2002 World Cup when he was Italy's manager, was clearly emotional as he outlined the reasons for his decision in Pistoia last night.
He said: "I spoke to Kevin this morning and with regret, I communicated my decision to him. Obviously, he was clearly upset. Also me.
"But I have a responsibility to our team and the Irish nation. It's my duty to take this decision disregarding personal feeling.
"For me and for [assistant] Marco [Tardelli], it was very difficult, but we had to decide on one defender more.
"I said to him [Foley], 'We are happy if you decide to stay with us.'
"He said, 'Okay, I will think about it.'
"Obviously he is a little bit sad. That's normal."
Trapattoni's comments came after he had watched his team defeat a Tuscan Select XI 5-0 at the Stadio Melani, the home of Serie D club Pistoiese.
Robbie Keane's first-half double either side of Simon Cox's strike gave Ireland a commanding lead before he, keeper Keiren Westwood, Dunne and James McClean were given a breather.
Substitutes Shane Long and Jon Walters continued the good work after the break, the latter converting from close-range after Foley's free-kick had been parried.
The game came at the end of a day which had seen northern Italy rocked by a second earthquake this month, but although the tremors were felt in Montecatini, Trapattoni was unaware of what had happened until he was told.
He said: "My wife in Milan felt the earthquake. I didn't feel it in our hotel, but some of the players did."

Source: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/