What: Euro 2012 Group A
Who: Poland vs Russia
When: Tuesday 12th June, 2012, at 19:45 UK Time
Where: National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland

Back To Earth

“This is the most talented Poland of the last 20 years”, said goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny before his side’s Euro 2012 opener against Greece. Unfortunately however, the Poles showed their skills for only 45 minutes and the final 1-1 draw was more disappointing for Greece than the co-hosts, who were denied victory after a superb save from Przemyslaw Tyton, who kept out Giorgos Karagounis’ penalty.

Thanks to Szczesny’s blunder, Poland conceded their first goal since November. However, what the country’s fans are most worried about is the team’s lack of consistency throughout the opening match. While the co-hosts started well, they tailed off badly after Greece scored. Playing only friendlies for almost two years surely did not help Poland’s players.

Looking at the glass half full though, Poland’s qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup ended with a shameful fifth place finish, only ahead of San Marino – the team is competitive now at least. Expectations here are higher however and against Russia it is do or die.

The “Clockwork Matrioska” is Marching On

Keeping Russia’s profile low after an impressive 3-0 warm-up win against Italy was coach Dick Advocaat’s main aim at the beginning of Euro 2012, especially given that his side found themselves in the group widely considered the tournament’s easiest. An opening 4-1 win over the Czech Republic showed that, so far, it has been mission accomplished.

Four years ago, Guus Hiddink’s Russia were labelled “Clockwork Matrioska” for their attractive style of play which blended Dutch and Russian approaches – technique, speed, physical strength and good ball retention. The Russian Clockwork Orange has not changed under Advocaat.

This clash against Poland will be a fine test for Russia’s ambitions. Advocaat’s men will face attack-minded opponents with little to lose, and controlling the game as easily as against the Czech Republic will be difficult. Russia though do have more talent than the co-hosts.

Recent form

Poland:
Poland 1-0 Slovakia (22/05; Friendly)
Poland 4-0 Andorra (26/05; Friendly)
Poland 1-1 Greece (08/06; Euro 2012)

Russia:
Lithuania 1-1 Russia (29/05; Friendly)
Italy 0-3 Russia (01/06; Friendly)
Russia 4-1 Czech Republic (08/06; Euro 2012)

Players to watch

Poland – Lukasz Piszczek: The lesser known of Borussia Dortmund’s three stars in the Poland side, right-back Piszczek is expected to set the flank on fire alongside team-mate Jakub “Kuba” Blaszczykowski, as was the case in both the Bundesliga and German Cup – trophies Dortmund won. Against as strongly an organized side as Russia, the speed of this former winger (Piszczek played in this role for Zaglebie Lubin when winning the Polish title in 2006/07) should prove a constant thorn in the side of Advocaat’s defence.

Russia – Andrei Arshavin: Four years ago Arshavin was one of Europe’s most sought-after players after leading Zenit St. Peterburg to the UEFA Cup and Russia to the Euro 2008 semi-finals. Moving to the English Premier League with Arsenal has seen him in steadily decline though. Back in the national team, and with a loan spell back at Zenit under his belt, the 31-year-old turned in a superb performance against the Czech Republic. Arshavin has the chance to prove he is still a difference-maker at international level once again.

Match Prediction

While Russia have the chance to qualify for the quarter-finals after two games, for Poland this is a question of survival. The attacking football played by both teams should guarantee a good match, however Russia have a more solid backline. This is the reason that the game looks to be 60-40 in favour of Advocaat’s men.

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