It’s elimination time in Group A! And it was hosts Poland and Russia who were the shock contenders to be eliminated after both being in pole position to qualify after losses to Czech Republic and Greece respectively.
Poland lost 1-0 to the Czech Republic as they disappointed all of the hype their fans expected before the tournament to go crashing out. Midfielder Petr Jiracek scored the only goal of the game with a poked effort past keeper Tyton, chosen ahead of first choice Szczesny as the Czech’s could go on to face tough opposition from Group B.
The Russians were dealt a major shock with a 1-0 defeat by Greece sending them out of the Euros on head to head rules. Captain Giorgos Karagounis scored a drilled effort to send the Greeks through after a tough game, and captain Andrey Arshavin and co will leave feeling robbed after such a promising campaign they had started.
So goodbye Russia and goodbye Poland (not literally because that is where the tournament is held!)
By Jason Barr
