Euro 2012 Fearless Predictions - Day 5

With the first round of games in the books, the second game for each team is probably the most vital as the groups begin to see some separation between the haves and havenots. Group A takes center stage today as the hosts Poland renew hostilities against Russia while Greece takes on the Czech Republic.

Day 5

Greece - Czech Republic

Greece takes on the Czech Republic in a competitive match for the first time since 2004, when Greece edged the Czech Republic in the semifinals due to a Trianos Dellas' golden goal. Undoubtedly, the Czechs will have that match in the back of their mind, but there is so much turnover between both teams, that I do not think it is going to that big a factor. Really, it was eight years ago.

Greece enter their second match at the tournament in a midst of a defensive crisis. With Sokratis Papastathopoulos suspended due to his ridiculous red card and Avraam Papadopoulos out for the next 5-6 months due to a knee injury suffered in the first match, the Greeks will be starting two fairly inexperienced central defenders in Kyriakos Papadopoulos, no relation to Avraam, and Stelios Malezas. Greece will need to control the first 20 minutes of the match, curb the Czech initial attack, and built their own attack through wingers Ninis, Salpingidis and Samaras. Central striker Gekas will also need to impose his will on the match, and if he scores a goal I see Greece snatching all three points.

For the Czechs they were thoroughly outclassed in their opening match against Russia and will look to bounce back against Greece. The problem in their first match was the ease at which Russia were able to slice and dice the Czech defensive structure. While Greece does not have the attacking flair of Russia, they still have one or two players who are capable of springing a surprise on the Czech back four. The play of Milan Baros and Tomas Rosicky will be a deciding factor in this game.

Greece - Czech Republic (2-0)

Poland - Russia

The Poles should be disappointed that they squandered a fantastic opportunity to open the tournament with three points against a Greece squad that lost a player to a red card in the first half. It almost appeared as if Poland took their pedal off the metal and allowed Greece back into the game. But that was in the past, Poland needs a result against Russia before their final group game against the Czechs. The underlying theme will be the historical rivalry between both countries and if that tension makes its way on the pitch and in the stands.

For the Russians, there were simply scintillating in their opening game of the tournament and without a doubt they are the class of Group A. If Russia are able to grab another three points they will automatically qualify for the knockout stages. Win and they are moving in, very simple stuff.

Poland - Russia (1-3)

OVERALL RECORD

3-5