POLAND
vs. GREECE
The
first game kicked off at exactly 16:00 GMT between Poland and Greece. Greece
had put economic crisis and woman-beating neo-nazi politicians behind them and
in unison sang heartily to the first National anthem blared out of loudspeakers
in the tournament.
Within
three minutes, Poland had had a purposeful shot on target which was tipped over
by the Greek ‘keeper. A real statement of intent. Just before the quarter-hour
mark, Robert Lewandowski missed a header
that would have put Poland ahead. The Greek defence had been carved open by
some crisp Polish passing.
In
almost a replay of the earlier chance, “Kuba” Blaszczykowski crossed for his club team-mate
Lewandowski but this time the latter headed in brilliantly for the first goal
of the tournament. That was in the 17th minute.
Just
before half-time, the first red card of the tournament was flashed in the face
of Sokratis. It was his second of two soft fouls that had earned him a yellow
card each. The Greek gods clearly were not smiling down on the team because
earlier the regular central defensive partner of Sokratis, Avram Papadopoulos
had been taken off injured. Then after the controversial sending off, Greece
were denied a penalty (handball) decision.
Greece
came out after the half-time break with all guns blazing and hit the equalizer
with their first shot on target. Salpingidis scored opportunistically. After a
bit of a plateau, the game bolted back to life albeit controversially when
Sczecsny got sent off for a challenge on Salpingidis in the 18 yard box.
Stand-in Polish goalkeeper Titon’s first touch of the ball was the penalty
save. The game remained 1-1.
Even
after the penalty save, the Greeks grew in confidence and managed to hold the
Poles.1-1 it ended.
Lenny
Briscoe II& Poison Pen
.
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