First round of EURO 2012 has ended, and Great Dane Football Blog provides you with an update of what happened.








Group A
Played
Win
Draw
Lost
For
Against
+/-
Points
Russia
1
1
0
0
4
1
+3
3
Greece
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
Poland
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
Czech Rep.
1
0
0
1
1
4
-3
0

Poland - Greece 1-1

The EURO 2012 opening match was more exciting than anyone would have ever guessed. Poland started the match with a high pressure and had two major chances to Robert Lewandowski and Rafal Murawski after just four minutes play. After fifteen minutes play, Robert Lewandowski brought Poland in front with a perfect header behind Greece’s goalkeeper. A few minutes before the break, Greece defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos was shown his second yellow card and sent off.

From the start of the second half, Greece started pressuring Poland, resulting in a goal from Salpigidis, after a riposte.  With twenty minutes left Polish goalkeeper Szczesny tackled Salpigidis. Greece was given a penalty, and Szczesny a red card. This looked like the chance for Greece. However, reserve keeper Tyton wanted it different, when he saved Karagounis’ penalty kick.

No further goals were scored in hard played opening match where Poland overall was best.

Carlsberg Man of The Match Award: Robert Lewandowski, Poland

Russia - Czech Republic 4-1

Russia showed why they are favorites in group A, in their opening match against the Czech Republic. However, from the start of the match the Czech’s were dominant and had a couple of chances to bring themselves in front.  After fifteen minutes play, the situation changed and Russia took over, bringing themselves in front by Alan Dzagoev on a contra. Ten minutes later Roman Shirikov put the ball over Petr Cech’s and in to the goal. 2-0.

Shortly into the second half, the Czech Republic answered back and reduced to 1-2 by a goal from Pilar.  This was a wake-up call for Russia, and after 78 minutes, Dzagoev became a double goal scorer. The last goal was scored by Roman Pavlyuchenko who played with the Czech defense before hammering the ball in the net.

Overall Russia controlled the match and showed off some attacking football, making them the favorites of the group. 

Carlsberg Man of The Match Award: Alan Dzagoev, Russia 

Group B
 

Played
Win
Draw
Lost
For
Against
+/-
Points
Germany
1
1
0
0
1
0
+1
3
Denmark
1
1
0
0
1
0
+1
3
Holland
1
0
0
1
0
1
-1
0
Portugal
1
0
0
1
0
1
-1
0

Holland - Denmark 0-1

Denmark delivered quite a surprise in the opening match of group B. Even though Denmark and Daniel Agger had the first real chance in the match, they were under constant pressure from Holland. The Dutch and especially Robin van Persie missed one chance after the other in the first twenty minutes. However, after a couple of chances to Denmark, Michael Krohn-Dehli received the ball in Holland’s goal area and rounded a defender before putting the ball between goalkeeper Stekelenburg’s leg and into the goal. 1-0 to Denmark. Just before, the break Holland had a shot on the post after goal keeper Stephan Andersen played the ball directly in the feet of van Persie.

From the start of the second half, Denmark was put under a massive pressure once again, but they managed to keep the Dutch from scoring. Denmark had a few chances but was not close to scoring their second goal. Instead, they delivered some stabile defensive work in a match where Holland was best.

Carlsberg Man of The Match Award: Michael Krohn-Dehli, Denmark

Germany - Portugal 0-1

German coach Joachim Löw surprised when he decided to put Mario Gomez in the starting XI instead of Miroslav Klose. However, it should turn out to be an excellent decision.

Both teams started the match by showing respect for each other, and there were more defensive play than goal chances. Germany had a couple of chances, but the Portuguese defensive were controlling. Shortly before the break, Pepe had a header on the post, making the ball dance on the goal line before the Germans cleared.

From the start of the second half, Portugal was getting better and better. However, it was Germany who scored a goal. Sami Khedira found Mario Gomez in the box, and as always he was deadly with his head and scored to 1-0. With ten minutes left, Ronaldo was close to scoring, but Neuer saved three points to Germany.

Carlsberg Man of The Match Award: Mesut Özil, Germany

Group C
Played
Win
Draw
Lost
For
Against
+/-
Points
Croatia
1
1
0
0
3
1
+2
3
Spain
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
Italy
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
Ireland
1
0
0
1
1
3
-2
0
 
Spain - Italy 1-1


Both Spain and Italy created an overflow of chances in the opening match of group C. While Spain was most in possession in the first half it was Italy who had the first dangerous shot on target. Cassano had a strike just past the post followed up by a shot directly on Iker Casillas.

Spain came into the second half with a bit more heart and especially Cesc Fabregas was playing better. However after 60 minutes it was Italy who scored the first goal. Antonio di Natale was suddenly free with the goal keeper, and the striker had no problems sending his nation in front. But before the Italians had finished celebrating, Fabregas equalized just three minutes later. David Silva found Fabregas in the box, with a magnificent pass, and the midfielder only had to touch the ball. It not looked like both teams would settle with a draw, and only a few chances were created before the final whistle.

Carlsberg Man of the Match Award: Andrés Iniesta, Spain

Republic of Ireland - Croatia 1-3

Croatia started the match with lighting and thunder, bringing themselves in front after just three minutes play. Mandžukić directed the ball into the net, by a header, after he almost had sat on the grass. However, the Irish was not so easy to shock and after 15 minutes of fight they came back in the match. A free kick was sent into the box where St Ledger came first with a header and scored to 1-1. It was Croatia who, overall, was best in the match and just minutes before the break Nikica Jelavic was given a loose chance, and scored to 2-1.

Croatia would make another chock start in the second half, as they scored the third goal just three minutes after the break. Once again Mandžukić was on the spot and headed the ball on the post, hitting the Irish goalkeeper in the back of the head and into the goal. 3-1. Ireland did not seem to be able to come back from this, while Croatia on several occasions showed some beautiful passing play and was closer on another scoring, than Ireland was.

Carlsberg Man of The Match Award: Mario Mandžukić, Croatia

Group D 
Played
Win
Draw
Lost
For
Against
+/-
Points
Ukraine
1
1
0
0
2
1
+1
3
England
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
France
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
Sweden
1
0
0
1
1
2
-1
0

France - England 1-1

The expectations were high towards the clash between France and England. However, the match turned out to fizzle out and be boring. Both teams had their chances in the first fifteen minutes. After ten minutes, Samir Nasri, had a blow just past the post while James Milner had a huge chance, on which he should had scored. However, we had to wait thirty minutes before Gerrand send a perfect free kick into the box where Joleon Lescott headed England in front. Shortly after, France had a double chance but Joe Hart delivered an outstanding performance. Shortly before the break, Nasri sent a shot on goal from the edge of the box, sliding in to the net at the nearest post and equalized the match. 1-1 at the break.

Second half started with a pressure on England, but after a while, England managed to take over the match. At this point, both teams looked satisfied with just 1 point, and the match started to fizzle out.
 
Carlsberg Man of The Match Award: Samir Nasri, France

Ukraine - Sweden 2-1

Ukraine and Sweden met in the last match of round one. The first twenty minutes were hard played and low on chances, but then things changed as veteran striker Shevchenko started moving. However, it was Sweden and Zlatan Ibrahimovic who were nearest the first goal. After a perfect cross, Zlatan headed on the post.

Sweden was better from the start of the second half and came in front after fifty-two minutes when Ibrahimovic scored the first goal. However, only two minutes later Shevchenko had equalized. The old hunter headed the ball past Isaksson on a perfect cross. This started a massive Ukrainian offensive, and while Sweden seemed shaken, Shevchenko scored again to a surprising 2-1 lead. Sweden tried to comeback in the math, but Ukraine was able to keep them away from goal and bring themselves in front of group D.

Carlsberg Man of The Match Award: Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine

Top scorer list

Rank
Goals

1
2
Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine
-
2
Alan Dzagoev, Russia
-
2
Mario Mandžukić, Croatia
2
1
Roman Pavlyuchenko, Russia
-
1
Antonio Di Natale, Italy
-
1
Dimitris Salpingidis, Greece
-
1
Nikica Jelavić, Croatia
-
1
Cesc Fàbregas, Spain
-
1
Mario Gomez, Germany
-
1
Zlatan Ibrahimović, Sweden