Russia made the best possible start to their Group A campaign with a comprehensive 4-1 defeat of the Czech Republic.

The Russian’s are now unbeaten in 15 games, a record stretching back to February 2011 and whilst the Czech Republic gave themselves a glimmer of hope by reducing the deficit to 2-1, the 13th ranked team in the World always looked the likely victors.

Two goals ahead at the break Russia looked to be coasting after strikes from Alan Dzagoev and Roman Shirokov.

But the Czech Republic, who lost more qualifying matches (three) than any other side that qualified for Euro 2012, scored shortly after the break as Vaclav Pilar sidestepped the advancing keeper to roll the ball into an unguarded net.

This goal gave the Czech’s hope and for a few moments looked capable of finding a leveller but the team who scored the fewest goals in qualifying failed to seize the initiative and Russia simply stepped up a gear with two goals in the closing minutes.

Substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko cleverly set up Dzagoev for his second of the game and then provider turned scorer as the former Tottenham player smashed the ball past Chelsea keeper Petr Cech.

For Arsenal fans there was a reminder of the quality of Andrey Arshavin who was sent out on loan from the Emirates Stadium and set up two of the goals and overall had a fine game.

Referee: Howard Webb (ENG)

Venue: Municipal Stadium, Wroclaw

Attendance: 37,348

Russia scorers: Dzagoev 15, 79, Shirokov 24, Pavlyuchenko 81
Czech Republic scorers: Pilar 52

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EURO2012 – Group A: 10-man Greece hold hosts Poland

Greece have managed to hold Poland to a 1-1 draw in a dramatic opening match at Euro2012.

Fernando Santos’ men overcame a tardy start, where they looked like they did not belong at the Euro finals, to finish with a flurry to almost snatch a victory from the hands of the Poles.

Hosts Poland went ahead in the 17th minute when star striker Robert Lewandowski headed home Jakub Blaszczykowski’s righting cross at the back post and it should have been 2-0 not long after when Damien Perquis fired wide from close range.

The match was then turned on its head moments before half-time when Sokratis Papastathopoulos was shown a second yellow card by referee Carlos Velasco Carballo to be sent off in very soft circumstances.

However, six minutes into the second half, Greece levelled when substitute Dimitris Salpingidis was able to convert from close range after Polish keeper Wojciech Szczesny failed to clear Vassilis Torosidis’ cross from the right.

Things got worse for the Arsenal gloveman with about 20 minutes remaining when he was shown a straight red for bringing down the dangerous Salpingidis, who had gotten on the end of a rightwing cross, forcing Poland coach Franciszek Smuda to bring on Przemyslaw Tyton to take the gloves.

The PSV Eindhoven man was able to guess the right way when Greece skipper Giorgios Karagounis took his spot-kick, allowing Greece an unlikely point after such a torrid start. For Poland it would certainly feel like an opportunity lost but football is played for 90 minutes and a strong beginning is never enough.

Euro2012 – Group A

Poland: 1 (Robert Lewandowski 17’)
Greece: 1 (Dimitris Salpingidis 51’)

National Stadium, Warsaw

Yellow cards: POL – nil
GRE – Sokratis Papastathopoulos 35’/44’, Jose Holebas 45+2’, Giorgios Karagounis 54’

Red cards: POL – Wojciech Szczesny 68’
GRE – Sokratis Papastathopoulos 44’