Euro 2012 Result – Poland – Russia

The game starts off very lively and both teams are going for it from the beginning. In the first 5 minutes Poland earned themselves a free-kick which was well delivered into the box and Poland are the first to test the opposition keeper forcing a smart save from Malafeev. From the resulting corner Malafeev is called into action yet again, a really bring start from Poland but Russia look very dangerous aswell.

Around the 17th minute mark, Poland are playing some beautiful football, when Lewandowski plays through Eugen Polanski who finishes really smartly but he was rightly ruled offside and the goal is scratched off. Great decision by the German officials.

The next few minutes are dominated by the Polish team with several opprtunities and some really good football, the team seem buoyed by the support they are receiving from the crowd. Poland are beginning to look like favourites of Group A, (you heard it here first ).

Russia slightly coming into the game more around the half an hour mark with the game becoming more even, Arshavin was inches away from poking a goal home. Just as I was about to write how the game had slowed and the teams were tiring slightly before the second half, Alan Dzagoev nods in his third goal in 2 matches after an excellent free-kick taken by Andry Arshavin. Poland almost with an instant reply though by jakub blaszczykowski, smartly saved by Malafeev – turning into quite a good game.

The second half begins at and average pace but Poland were the first to up the tempo. The next few minutes were filled with chances for both teams but Poland were definitely being the more threatening. Lewandowski has been brilliant up front forcing some smart goalkeeping from Malafeev while Kerzakov has wasted a few of his chances. Andry Arshavin was good for the first part of the second half.

The game really opens up and both teams are really going for the game, Russia were controlling possesion but Poland were causing more of a threat on the counter attack. Around 56 minutes jakub blaszczykowski scored by far the best goal of the competition with a stunning strike from outside the area. Poland fully deserved the goal and what a goal it was.

Both coaches made changes putting on another striker each and wasteful kerzhakov was replaced. The game then slowed down a little with Russia becoming very pedestrian with little chances being created while Poland still look like a threat. The game slows towards the end as the final whistle blown but a really good game. This Euro 2012 result is good for both teams but a much needed point for Poland who still chase the dream of qualifying.

The referee was Wolfgang Stark of Germany and he had a good game.