EURO Opener: Poland-Greece

Posted by Patrick Nowak

The UEFA EURO 2012 opening day is finally upon us. The spirits and energy in Poland and Ukraine are very high right now, especially in Warsaw where the opening game between Poland-Greece is going to take place.


Poland's players are trying to keep composed while feeling immense pressure from their country to perform positively and start the EURO off with 3 points. Coach Franciszek Smuda is undoubtedly confident with his side that he has prepared in the span of 2.5 years - as he stated in a press conference on Thursday.


"Am I going to sleep well tonight? Yes, I surely will," he said. "Just before very important matches I have trouble sleeping, but this team has convinced me that I can rely on them; they have convinced me in every way during the last two and a half years. I just hope that together we will achieve what we desire."


Poland will start things off with a 4-2-3-1, looking to rely on it's attacking wings to help out the lone striker up front. Smuda is keen to using this system as it makes the most of the Polish Borussia Dortmind trio's abilities that worked so well in the Bundesliga - with Robert Lewandowski up front, Jakub Blaszczykowski in midfield, and Lukasz Piszczek in defense.


Lewandowski


Rybus-Obraniak-Blaszczykowski


Boenisch-Perquis-Wasilewski-Piszczek


Szczesny


Final Prediction:


Both sides have a record of strong defenses in the coming to UEFA EURO 2012, so no one should really expect a goal fest. However, I do not see the Poles screwing up in the first match (like past generations). It's going to be a match where whoever scores first will win. Watch for Robert Lewandowski to sneak one in past the Greeks for Poland to take the match 1-0.


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