Euro 2012 Group A: News & Analysis

With t-34 you don't need a visa

 

Really good analysis. Yes, all three teams are the type of teams that Poland likes to play against (unlike Croatia, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, England and ofcourse the really top teams...) This is becasue of their style of play, especially Russia is very similar. All three teams aren't technical teams which is good news for Poland.

And yes, at home Poland has always done very well against these three. Much, much better than say against Denmark or Sweden for example.

 

I'm not gonna predict te outcome of group A. but i want to share a preview i have written for my website:

• Co-host Poland are determined to make it at least through the group stage. Euro 2008 was very disappointing for Poland, they finished last in their group with only one point. That will be the worst-case scenario for Poland this time, so prepare for a furious and aggressive Poland because they will not let that happen.
• Russia is the highest ranked nation on the FIFA ranking (12th) and have had a great Euro 2008 when they were knocked-out in the semi-finals by final winners Spain, after they beat the Netherlands in the quarter-final. They sure want to match this achievement in 2012. They were the only nation from the current group A who made it through the group stage in 2008.
• Former champions Greece went from being the best in 2004, to the worst performing team in 2008. The pressure of being the defending champion was too much for Greece four years ago, resulting in 0 (zero) points in the group stage, having scored only one goal (Charisteas vs. Spain). Now is the time to set that straight.
• When the Czech Republic first entered the European Championship in 1996 (until 1992 as Czechoslovakia) they made it all the way to the final. Eventually Germany was too strong for the Czech Republic in the final. Germany striker Oliver Bierhoff scored the golden goal in extra time and blew the Czech dream to pieces. In 2008 they only managed to win the opening game of Euro 2008 versus Switzerland, and that was all she wrote.

So, with this little preview we can conclude that all of these teams really have something to play for. Whether it's performing good for the home-crowd (Poland) hungry for more (Russia), or revenge for a disappointing Euro 2008 (Czech Republic, Greece and Poland). The majority may label this group as being the “weak” group, but this group will probably show fun and extincting matches to look forward to. Opening games: Poland vs. Greece on June 8, followed by Russia vs. Czech Republic on June 9.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFTXV4qMXoc"]Stadiums[/ame]

 

Just out of curiosity, what is ZSSR? I first thought it was a typo, but given the keyboard layout, that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

i don't know if Zahzah is Polish but its the Polish abbreviation for USSR or CCCP

i think it also works for some other Slavic languages that use the Roman alphabet

but of course you knew that

 

How?

 

from the context and the smiley face that you used

but if i was wrong and you did not know and the context did not provide you with any clues... then i guess you did not know

 

It was me who orinally inquired about zssr, and no the context didn't provide me with any clues and no I didn't know why zssr was used instead of ussr.

 

right, sorry

and my apologies to g74 as well for the mix up



but seriously, you guys did not get the context of ZSSR? from this paragraph?

Russia: 1 game played, 1 game won (3:1)
(If you take into ZSSR they have played 6 times with 3 draws and 3 wins for Poland with goals scored/conceded 8:4).

really?

 

I knew that the country discussed here was Soviet Union, I just didn't know at that moment why ZSSR was used as opposed to USSR and I guess I was to lazy to google it

 

Looks like both Cech and Rosicky are super hot at the right time; the Czech Rep is now becoming a major player in this group.

 

Certainly Lewandowski, Piszczek and Kuba at "Polonia" Dortmund have done very well this season.

So perhaps those three are grounds for some optimism for Poland.

 

those three, home advantage, relatively balanced group are the only point of optimism for the somewhat pessimistic Polish fans

 

Well I think the Lewandowski-Kerzhakov debate is over.

22 goals, third place in the Bundesliga scoring race for Lewandowski. And his second German title (might add a Cup next week).

 

We're always a bit pessimistic But I think it's ok, because we care more about quality of our NT. And I believe that coach and players care too.




But ofcourse, we mostly place hope in those 3 + Szczesny. Defensive formation is our worst fear though.

 

defensive formation or actual defensive players? Wojtek is money...but there is only so much he can do (see Boruc in Euro) I am curious how Perquis plays and whether Smuda will play Polanski with Dudka in middle......the defense is going be a problem area...Piszczek wont be going forward as much ha

 

Lewa looked brilliant again today v. bayern in the cup final...fergie was in the stands to watch the in-form Kagawa but he take note of Lewa terrorizing bayern's defense again
let's hope his form continues to Euro...

 

love that photo!

I've been trying not to get excited about the Euro, expecting our usual ending... but those three are a good spine for the team to build around

 

yeah....honestly it seems that it has been a long time since we had three players with this much success playing abroad

 

Last time, well....2002 we had Hajto, Waldoch and Dudek. All 3 with leading roles on their teams, but when it came to the nitty gritty they blew it. Now we got four great players all in a different formation, plus perhaps a better supporting cast, and a coach who may have a better understanding of how to utilize them. I believe it's all in Smuda's hands....he must figure out how to get the best out of the team, the way Klopp has done with BvB.

 

Actually I meant that in this whole "friendly road to Euro" they've been always playing with another players in the defensive line. I would love to see this line-up in defense with all guys in top form:
Piszczek(BvB) - Wasilewski (Anderlecht Brussels) - Kamiński (Lech Poznan) - Boenisch (Werder Brema)

but I bet Smuda won't try it. ;p

Don't forget about Murawski from Lech in the middel. Somehow Smuda loves him. I'm not sure if he's better than Polanski, but... maybe he is I never compared them before actually.
And I think that Piszczek will be going forward because as I noticed from last friendlies Polish NT is a BvB-wannabe Just compare highlights of the Pokal Final and the Poland - Germany friendly. Trying to press and to counter-attack after receiving the ball. Peszko screwed up three 99% occasions but luckly for us Germans screwed their occasions as well.


Doesn't this look familliar?

 

Is Boenisch even match fit....i know he has been injured most of the season but he fell out of favor with his coach...
as for Murawski...he appears to be a more creative player than Polanski...but Polanski's spacing and defensive workrate is much better...Peszko? let's just say that Koln should ask for a refund...
either way...i like our chances to come of the group as the group is very balanced....we are playing at home and our talent level is right on par with other teams in the group

 

hajto and waldoch never won a championship....the BVB trio has three trophies..

 

You're coming back after a long injury and coach put you in the first 11 vs. Schalke - I wouldn't call it "felling out of favor"

Even if he was injured for 90% time of the season I think he's better choice than Wawrzyniak. Wawrzyniak makes stupid mistakes + Boenisch is younger (he should get experience before 2014WC) and simply.. better.