Group Elimination A: Friday, 8 June 2012 - Warsaw - Municipal Stadium

Opening day has the second of 2 matches being played on June 8th. Russia will be paired up against the Czech Republic.

Russia

Russia is just coming off of 7 wins out of 10 games from their qualifying group with their only loss at home to Slovakia. Team Russia played with a very competitive group which included Ireland and World Cup entry Slovakia. In the qualifying side Russia has only conceded a mere 4 goals and only 6 clean sheets in their last 7 matches. Russia has a very strong attack with mid fielder and captain Arsharvin and striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov along side with a great supporting cast in trio mid fielders Denisov , Zryanov and Shirokov.

Czech Republic

Czech Republic enters the tournament with a playoff win over Montenegro without having conceded a goal. Czech’s come in having to qualify in a group which included powerhouse Spain and Scotland. Team Czech also boast big name player in goalie Petr Cech,whose Chelsea team just won the Champions League also leading the way is “Little Mozart” Rosicky who is known to be the orchestrator and is said to have the best uncanny vision on the playing field. Also we have to mention striker Milan Baros who rounds out this core of this veteran Czech team.

One big concern about Czech Republic is that they do not score goals. Only having 12 goals in their last qualifying 10 games. Mid fielder Baros does not possess the scoring punch he once had only having 8 goals in his last 28 starts with his Galatasary club this season. Their left back lead them in the qualifying games with 4 goals (not a good sign).

Prediction: Russia wins 2-0

As good as goalie Cech is and their decent back 4 .I just can’t see them keeping up and withstanding Russia’s attack. Also, a huge concern is that the Czech team does not score goals. I see this being close in the 1st half but, in the second half I see Russia pulling away with this one winning Russia should easily be able to make it out of this Group A.

Euro 2012: Russia Crushes Czech Republic 4-1

Opening day for the Euro 2012 was not a disappointment especially from Group A Russia vs Czech Republic. Russia came is an right away made a statement in this game showing why they are the dominate force that they are. Russia looked flat out good they came with an impressive attack against a shoddy defense by the Czechs. They passed the ball with efficiency and looked to always attack on the break . Their movement came from young superstar Andrei Arshavin and Alan Dzafoev who were just too much for the Czech Republic to handle. This has been an awesome start to begin the Euro 2012. Here are some play developments from the game:

HALF-TIME: Russia 2, Czech Republic 0

2129: A header from mid-fielder Vaclav Pilar brought the first real save of note from Russia's goal keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev. The Russians won a free kick inside the Czech Republic half, as Plasil brought down Kerzhakov, The Czechs tried to keep the possession inside Russia's half as much as possible. The Czechs tried to battle their way back into the match, but Russia's defense looked a bit stronger than it did from the beginning of the match.

2119: Russians caused a lot of havoc with their movement going forward. The ball was pulled back from the left when Kerzhakov who hit the target, but instead blazed high and wide. That said, they look a little edgy on defense. The was a good penalty shout for Russia, Andrei Arshavin took a fall after a knock from Plasil.

2110: it started looking really ugly for the Czech’s Having been up against it, Russia looked like they were going to score and attack while Andrei Arshavin played stellar passing the ball into the path of Roman Shirokov.

This is just a glimpse of the opening day action of Russia vs Czech Republic you can check out and get full updates from SBOEuroCup2012.com

EURO 2012: Russia vs Czech Republic Timeline

• 90+2’ - Howard Webb blows to end the match. The final score is 4-1.
• 90+2’ - Czech Republic's Milan Petrzela has run offside.
• 90’ - At Municipal Stadium Wroclaw the fourth official shows that 2 minutes will be added to the Second half.
• 90’ - Czech Republic's G.Selassie gets in a shot but it is blocked by a Czech Republic defender.
• 87’ - A.Kokorin of Russia smashes in a shot on target. The keeper saves, though.
• 87’ - J.Plasil for Czech Republic gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
• 85’ - Michal Bilek (Czech Republic) is making a Third substitution, with David Lafata replacing Milan Baros.
• 84’ - Advocaat, Dick is making the team's Second substitution at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw with Aleksander Kokorin replacing Alan Dzagoev.
• 84’ - Czech Republic drive forward and T.Rosicky gets in a shot. Without netting, however.
• 82’ - It's now 4-1 in Wroclaw as Roman Pavlyuchenko scores for Russia.
• 79’ - Roman Pavlyuchenko with an assist there.
• 79’ - Goal! Russia extend their lead to 3-1 through Alan Dzagoev.
• 78’ - R.Pavlyuchenko (Russia) goes for goal but the shot is blocked by an alert defence.
• 78’ - At Municipal Stadium Wroclaw Andrey Arshavin (Russia) takes a corner from the Left.
• 76’ - Czech Republic make their Second substitution with Milan Petrzela replacing Petr Jiracek.
• 75’ - T.Rosicky gets his shot on target but fails to score for Czech Republic.
• 73’ - Roman Pavlyuchenko is on a sub for Aleksandr Kerzhakov for Russia.
• 72’ - In Wroclaw Czech Republic attack through G.Selassie. However, the finish is off target.
• 70’ - A.Kerzhakov of Russia gets in a strike, but is off target.
• 68’ - Russia are pushing forward but A.Kerzhakov's finish is wide of the goal.
• 64’ - Russia are coming forward and A.Kerzhakov gets in a strike, it misses the target, however.
• 64’ - In Wroclaw, V.Pilar of Czech Republic is presented with a shooting opportunity. But the strike is blocked by the covering defence.
• 63’ - In Wroclaw Russia attack through K.Zyryanov. The finish is off target, however.
• 57’ - Russia drive forward but Andrey Arshavin is judged offside.
• 55’ - R.Shirokov of Russia gets in a strike, but is off target.
• 54’ - Howard Webb has awarded Czech Republic a corner. Jaroslav Plasil takes the kick from the Right.
• 52’ - That's a fine assist from Jaroslav Plasil.
• 52’ - Czech Republic are back in the match in Wroclaw. Vaclav Pilar has scored to make it 2-1.
• 50’ - Russia's A.Kerzhakov misses with an attempt on goal.
• 46’ - Tomas Hubschman is replacing Jan Rezek for Czech Republic at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw.
• 46’ - The second half has started at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw.
• 45+2’ - The first-half has come to a close in Wroclaw.
• 45+1’ - Czech Republic are pushing forward but P.Jiracek's finish is wide of the goal.
• 45’ - The fourth official's board shows 2 minutes, which will be added to the First half.
• 45’ - V.Pilar (Czech Republic) gets in a powerful header but the ball is cleared away.
• 44’ - Howard Webb has awarded Czech Republic a corner. Jaroslav Plasil takes the kick from the Right.
• 37’ - Howard Webb blows against Czech Republic's Jan Rezek for offside.
• 33’ - Russia's A.Kerzhakov gets his shot away but it misses the target.
• 26’ - Czech Republic push forward through M.Kadlec, whose finish on goal is saved.
• 25’ - Roman Shirokov of Russia is pulled up for offside.
• 24’ - Andrey Arshavin instrumental with a fine assist.
• 24’ - Russia take a comfortable 2-0 lead thanks to Roman Shirokov.
• 23’ - J.Rezek (Czech Republic) strikes at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw but his header is cleared.
• 23’ - In Wroclaw Jaroslav Plasil for Czech Republic takes a corner from the Right-hand flag.
• 19’ - A.Dzagoev for Russia gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
• 18’ - In Wroclaw Czech Republic's Milan Baros is caught offside.
• 15’ - Goal! Alan Dzagoev gives Russia a 1-0 lead.
• 13’ - Corner awarded to Russia.
• 12’ - Czech Republic's T.Rosicky breaks free at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw. But the strike goes wide of the post.
• 6’ - Czech Republic attack but R.Hubnik's header doesn't find the target.
• 4’ - At Municipal Stadium Wroclaw Tomas Rosicky (Czech Republic) takes a corner from the Left.
• 3’ - Czech Republic have been awarded a corner by Howard Webb. Jaroslav Plasil steps up to take it.
• 2' - Russia's Andrey Arshavin is whistled for offside at Municipal Stadium Wroclaw.
• 1' - Howard Webb, has blown to start the match.

Don't miss a score! Catch real time updates on your favorite EURO 2012 MATCH. Which team will win?