Greece (National Football)

As we enter day five of Euro 2012, Greece and the Czech Republic get ready to face each other in Group A.

It’s early on in the tournament but already exciting. Both teams will be fighting for three points today.

After a disheartening 4-1 loss in their opening game, the Czech Republic will be looking to play with more fire and more urgency. This will not be the way they want to leave the tournament, should it happen within the next few games.

And Greece will be hungry for three points after their first-game draw against Poland. Should they outplay and beat the Czech Republic today, they have a chance to qualify for the quarterfinals.

After their first games, both Greece and the Czech Republic have revealed a few intriguing players who will be key factors in today’s matchup.

Greece: Dimitris Salpingidis

Dimitris Salpingidis scored for Greece in their opening game against Poland, resulting in a 1-1 draw. The powerful striker “was brought on at the beginning of the second half last Friday...when they were trailing 1-0” (via AFP Yahoo! Sports).

The substitution was a wise choice for Greece, as they enter today’s matchup with one point more than the Czech Republic. In their first game, Salpingidis was right where he needed to be for Greece to come back from 1-0.

Salpingidis tapped the ball in after an aerial save by Poland’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny. The ball bounced off Szczęsny’s hands and landed right in front of the oncoming Salpingidis. The striker’s finish was what Greece needed to lift the team and match Poland’s goal in the first half.

His entrance into the game gave Greece more energy in the second half. After drawing a foul from Szczesny, Greece won a penalty kick opportunity (but unfortunately missed).

According to AFP Yahoo! Sports, it’s likely that Salpingidis will start in today’s match against the Czech Republic.

After his fifth international goal, we could see some more spark from Salpingidis on the attack.

Czech Republic: Václav Pilař

Despite the devastating 4-1 loss to Russia in their opening game, the Czech Republic had some hope seven minutes into the second half. The Czech Republic was trailing 2-0 coming back from halftime, and with Russia’s forwards hammering goalkeeper Petr Čech, Pilar’s goal kept the team in the game.

With the Czech Republic’s goal at the 52-minute mark, Pilar was the only one from his side to score, preventing a complete shutout in their first game of the tournament.

Pilar is one of the Czech Republic’s best weapons on the attack.

According to Karel Janicek of the Winnipeg Free Press, this is PIlar’s first major tournament, and he has performed well despite the initial lost to Russia.

Pilar’s speed and capabilities on the attack make him an intriguing player to watch in the Czech Republic’s upcoming matchups.

Czech Republic: Theodor Gebre Selassie

Total Football Magazine named the defender as a player to watch in this year’s tournament.

With the score 2-1 in the second half of Czech Republic’s first game against Russia, Selassie looked to tie the game. He shot but missed, hitting the side of the net instead.

Selassie is meeting challenges on and off the field, but keeping his head focused on the tournament and, likely, the importance of today’s matchup against Greece.

The defender is capable of displaying skills on the attack and will be a challenge for Greece.

Greece tied for least amount of goals allowed in qualifying, but gave up a goal less than 20 minutes into their Euro 2012 campaign.

Fortunately, that was the only goal they conceded to Poland in their opening match, and when Dimitris Salpingidis came on as a second half sub with the Greeks down to 10 men, everything changed.

The first 45 minutes were rather ugly for the 2004 Euro champions, but the second 45 were beyond encouraging. Even before the co-hosting Polish were downed to 10 men following a red card on keeper Wojciech Szczesny 25 minutes into the half, the Greeks were creating opportunities.

Salpingidis tied the game up six minutes into the second half and then drew the red card on Szczesny in the 70th that resulted in a penalty kick opportunity.

The Greeks looked more fluid, more dangerous and, most importantly, more comfortable while on the attack. Although a defensive juggernaut, attack mode suited the Galanoleyki . 

In today's match with the Czech Republic—a team with only one real scoring option in striker Milan Baros—the Greeks will need to score goals as they look to collect all three points.

The draw with Poland was huge, but a win here would be even bigger.

Russia looked dominant against the Czechs and will be a handful for a weakened Poland squad later today (they'll be without Szczesny in net) and the Greeks in the Group A finale.

Greece has to assume a full-strength Poland squad should be able to take advantage of Czech's vulnerable defense, so they'll have to do that themselves today. A win will put the Greeks in the driver's seat for the runner-up spot in Group A going into a showdown with a Russia. 

Anything less will leave them in a precarious situation.

Look for Salpingidis to be in the starting XI and expect the typically boring, defensive-minded Greeks to attack the net today.

They have no other choice.

Tuesday's match between Greece and the Czech Republic has huge implications for both sides in terms of their chances to advance to the knockout stages of the 2012 European Championship.

Greece was able to come away with a draw in its opening match against Poland in Warsaw, despite playing the majority of the match a man down. The Polish side looked in control, and it seemed they would start the tournament off with a win, but substitute Dimitris Salpingidis found the back of the net in the 51st minute to tie the game at one.

They came so close to grabbing three points, but Giorgos Karagounis was stuffed by Przemysław Tyton on a penalty shot.

The Czech Republic was taken behind the woodshed by Russia in its first match, falling in embarrassing fashion 4-1. Goalie Petr Cech said that his team will "play much more aggressively," according to UEFA.com.

They'll certainly need a better effort if they want to avoid being all but mathematically eliminated after their first two games.

Key Player for Greece: Kyriakos Papadopoulos

Sokratis Papastathopoulos is suspended for this one after being sent off against Poland on a controversial call, to say the least. Avraam Papadopoulos, another key defensive contributor for the Greeks, is out of the tournament with a knee injury. The two were part of a stalwart defense that allowed just five goals in the qualifying stage, so this is a huge blow to the back line.

That means Kyriakos Papadopoulos will need to step up for Greece. The 20-year-old finished second in the Bundesliga last season with 118 interceptions and will be looking to neutralize the Czech Republic offense in this match.

His inexperience sometimes causes him to get caught out of position, but if he stays at home tomorrow he'll be a huge part of a Greek win. He's exceptional when it comes to headed clearances, and all other clearances for that matter.

If he can avoid committing silly fouls near the box, Greece might have a blank slate after 90 minutes.

Key Player for Czech Republic: Tomas Rosicky

Rosicky will need to lead the way for his teammates in the Czech Republic's effort to bounce back from a humiliating 4-1 loss to Russia in the opener. Not only will he have to convince his teammates that they can win, but he'll need his performance to reflect that.

The Czech's had a few chances against Russia, but they were unable to capitalize on most of them. Rosicky has to create for his teammates more than he has to make plays for himself.

He's not much of a finisher himself, but if he is able to facilitate for the rest of the Czech attack by way of creative passing and keeping possession, they'll have a chance to climb out of the hole the find themselves in.

Prediction: 2-1 Greece

Greece didn't win its last match, but grabbed a moral victory of sorts, as it was able to score a draw despite playing most of the match with 10 men.

The Czechs, on the other hand, suffered the most embarrassing loss of the tournament for any team thus far.

If Greece can notch an early goal, the Czech Republic is going to roll over for them.

With the suspension of Sokratis Papastathopoulos and the injury to Avraam Papadopoulos, Greece's roster has taken a heavy blow.  Now Goal.com's Chris Butterworth reports that midfielder Georgios Fotakis will miss at least the Czech Republic game with a thigh injury he picked up in the team's training on Sunday.

Fotakis was expected to start in the midfield with Kostas Katsouranis dropping to central back. This is another blow to a Greek team that is in need of a win if they want to advance out of the group stage.

Coach Fernando Santos will have a major decision to make on who will start either in the midfield for Katsouranis or alongside Kyriakos Papadopoulos.  With the side needing to win, look for Greece to opt for offense.

My gut feeling is that Greece will go with a back line of Torosidis, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Kostas Katsouranis and Jose Holebas.  In the midfield, Giannis Maniatis will team up with captain Giorgos Karagounis, who will now take more of a defensive role.

Look for Giannis Fetfatzidis to make a start at left midfield. Upfront in Greece's 4-3-3 should be Dimitri Salpagidis, Theofanis Gekas and Georgios Samaras. 

Greece's bench has been thinned out with suspension and injuries.  Santos will have to chose from midfielders Sotiris Ninis, Kostas Fortounis, strikers Nikos Liberopoulos, Kostas Mitroglou and defenders Stelios Malezas and Georgios Tzavelas.  The Greek youngsters Ninis, Mitroglou and Fortounis have an excellent chance of making a name for themselves.

A win against the Czech Republic will give the Greeks four points and eliminate the Czechs from the tournament.  A loss will damage any chance of Greece advancing.  A tie might not be bad for both teams depending on the result between Poland and Russia. 

The Greek national team gained a point in a tie with Poland in the opening match of Euro 2012, but it lost its starting center back, Avraam Papadopoulos, to a torn knee ligament.

Goal.com UK reported the news via its Twitter.

BREAKING NEWS: Greece midfielder Avraam Papadopoulos will miss the rest of Euro 2012 with a torn ligament in his knee.

— Goal UK (@GoalUK) June 8, 2012

The 27-year-old, who plays for Olympiakos, came off in the 37^th minute of the match after sustaining the injury.

This is a major blow to the Greek national team, who hope to repeat their success in the 2004 European Championships, which they won.

Eight years ago, the team squeaked into the knockout stage as the second-place finisher in their group, then pulled off three consecutive 1-0 victories to take the title.

The format of the Euro tournament makes unexpected runs like this possible. The two finalists will play just six matches. If a team can get past the group stage, anything can happen.

Greece’s strategy in Euro 2004 was to play perfect defense and keep all their players behind the ball as often as possible. Then, when their opponent threw too many men forward, they would break forward and get a goal on a counter attack.

This strategy is especially appealing to teams that have significantly less talent than the traditional powers like Spain and Germany.

Discipline, organization and a little bit of luck can lead to a championship for teams like Greece. But now, without one of their key defenders for the rest of tournament, a run like this is even more unlikely. 

Those hoping for an inspiring run from the troubled nation are unlikely to receive one due to Papadopoulos’ injury.

The opening match of Euro 2012 was a game of two distinct drama filled halves.  Both Greece and Poland will rue the missed opportunities, but be content with sharing the points in Group A.

Poland came out on the front foot and to the delight of the Warsaw crowd exploited space on the right side from the opening whistle.  It came as no surprise then that the opening goal in the 17th minute came from a delightfully weighted cross from Jakub Blaszczykowski, who had penetrated down the right to reach nearly the end line.

Robert Lewandowski superbly headed the ball down, a one-hopper into the Greek net behind Kostas Chalkias's flaying, outstretched arms.

The partisan crowd couldn't have dreamt a better opening to their tournament hosting and playing duties. And the Poles continued to open up the Greek defense.  Damien Perquis found himself in front of goal with a glorious chance to double Poland's advantage, but struck it recklessly wide of the right post.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos picked up his second very harshly judged yellow card just before halftime, the Greeks were reduced to 10 men, with the home crowd delighting in their opposition's setback.  Poland had to feel positive, if not disappointed that the score was not more in their favor after a lopsided 45 minutes.

Greece opened the second half with the second substitution of the match.  Dimitris Salpingidis on, Sotiris Ninis out.  Salpingidis had an immediate impact proving the merit of Fernando Santos's tactical shift.  Only six minutes into the second half and Wojciech Szczęsny poorly played a VassilisTorossidis cross leaving Salpingidis to stride in and hammer home the equalizer.

The Greeks were now lifted and looked the more comfortable, threatening side.  The two holdovers, from Greece's Euro 2004 championship squad, Giorgios Karagounis and Kostas Katsarounis, smoothly shepherding possession.  

Salpingidis and Giorgios Samaras found space behind the Polish back line several times before another Santos sub, the young Kostas Fortounis floated a pass into the box for the enterprising Salpingidis.  

Szczęsny was forced out to deal with the one-on-one threat and beaten by Salpingidis's initial touch fouled in the box as his only option.  From head referee, Carlos Velasco Carballo, came the straight red card, and from the Polish bench came Przemyslaw Tyton to face a penalty shot in his first moment of action in the 70th minute.

Greece's captain stepped up to the spot, however unlikely the victory looked only minutes before, Karagounis could have opened Greece's 2012 account with three points.  But the Polish keeper was spry off his line and easily blocked a low, soft shot.

Both teams, reduced to 10 men each, were afforded good chances late in the match but couldn't break the deadlock.  So 1-1 it ended and both squads, oddly, will have to think three points were a real possibility, but also be delighted in preserving an eventful draw.

Here are three thoughts from the Euro 2012 opener between Poland and Greece.

Two dropped points for the Greeks. As crazy as that would have sounded after the first 45 minutes, Greece—in large part due to the insertion of Dimitris Salpingidis—was very much the better side in the second half and felt like they were on their way to victory when Giorgios Karagounis stepped up to the penalty spot with 20 minutes to go. But Przemyslaw Tyton, having just entered the game after Wojchiech Szczesny was sent off, dove to his left to save the penalty on his first touch of the match. The Greek attack woke up in the second half, and looked more likely than the Poles to win the match.

What was the referee looking at? Of course in any major international tournament, refereeing controversies will erupt. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your point of view, we didn't have to wait until halftime of the tournament opener for the first one to take place. Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo booked Greece's Sokratis Papastathopoulos twice for...I'm not sure if anyone knows what. Two bookings for non-existent fouls.

Group A is still very much wide open. Had either team taken three points out of the tournament opener, it might have been in the driver's seat to reach the quarterfinals and losers might have kissed their hopes of reaching the knockout stage bye-bye. Poland will need more out of Robert Lewandowski, who was pretty much absent in the second half against Greece, and might be hampered by the suspension of Szczesny. But they can breathe a huge sigh of relief after getting a point from the opener. As for Greece, it looks like they can play some attractive football.

Until the '90s were over, the Greek national soccer team was one of those teams that struggled to reach the final phase of the Euro or the World Cup. And when Greece got to that stage, it disappointed its fans—like in 1994, when Greece lost all three games, conceding 10 goals and scoring none.

That pretty much changed when Otto Rehhagel was appointed as the team’s coach. Greece went to win the European Championship in Portugal in 2004, pulling one of the greatest sports surprises of all time. Then, Greece qualified for Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Today, the Greek team plays in the kickoff match of Euro 2012, and what a coincidence: Greece was featured in the starting match of Euro 2004.

But can the Greeks do it again?

Nobody expects them to repeat what they did eight years ago, and if they hadn’t done it before, even a joke about Greece winning the Euro would sound silly.

The truth is many things have changed in the last eight years. Rehhagel has been replaced with Fernando Santos, a good coach, but with no “miracles” in his résumé. Players have come and gone, but still Greece managed to build a solid squad that has stayed out of the past obscurity.

One sure thing about Greece is that they’re going to play very carefully, with a clear focus on defense and trying to keep the opposition as far from the box as possible. Their young core of defenders is very talented and experienced enough for the campaign.

Additionally, the fighting spirit of the team is a scarce find. It’s not about playing until the last whistle; it’s about integrity. These guys have grown together and are the future of Greek soccer. So expect them to play for each other like few do.

On the other hand, there are some obvious negative points. First of all, the team lacks creativity. Most of the midfielders are defensive-minded and not by any means spectacular. Greece does not play like Barcelona. They sit back and try to hit the opponent on the counter attack.

Since “attack” was mentioned, that’s the other weak spot of Greece. The forwards need support from the midfielders in order to become dangerous, because they are not capable of creating chances for themselves. Overall, Greece can win only with great team play, not by individual performances.

Does Greece stand a chance qualifying from the group stage? I think it does. Today’s game against the home team of Poland is crucial. If Greece snatches a win, then things become a lot easier. If not, I believe the Greeks have slim chances of advancing to the next stage.