Group A makes its second match day foray into Euro 2012 action as Greece take on the Czech Republic on Tuesday June 12 at the Municipal Stadium Wroclaw, Wroclaw.
With Greece having churned out a 1-1 draw with Poland, and the Czech Republic having been thumped by Russia 4-1, there is plenty to play for going into this clash.
Having the more attacking potential, Greece and has the additional option of Dimitris Salpingidis, a substitute against Poland who came on to score the equalizer and win the penalty that was subsequently missed.
Undefeated in the tournament qualifiers and plucky winners eight years ago, Greece provides both inspiration to other small footballing nations and hope to its fans so in need of a sporting distraction.
Greece contributed admirably to the thrilling tournament opener and, in Giorgos Samaras and Theofanis Gekas, coach Fernando Santos has two frustrating yet proven goal scorers to call on.
Playing for Eintracht Frankfurt during the 2010-2011 season, Gekas scored so many goals that his underrated team was in the top four of the top German league with around half all matches played. Then, mysteriously, he stopped scoring, and Eintracht was relegated.
However, Jaroslav Plasil and Petr Jiracek are part of a Czech midfield that should be able to dominate the central parts of the pitch. Plasil, in particular, is one to watch after setting up five of his side's first eight shots against Russia, according to Opta Sports.
Completing a tricky trio is Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky. Arsene Wenger, his club coach, when recently asked about Rosicky said simply, "I love Tomas Rosicky, personally, as a man and as a player."
0 comments:
Post a Comment