The group stages head into their final round as we head back to Group A to watch all four teams battle it out to decide who gets to move forward. Poland need to beat the Czech Republic to go through to the next round, but they've only managed to secure two 1-all draws so far in the competition. Czech Republic could scrape through with a draw, but will be looking for a win to make it through. The real trouble is for Greece who sit bottom of the table and must win against Russia to stand any chance of moving forward. Russia have been unbeatable for their last 16 matches, however.
Czech Republic vs Poland and Greece vs Russia (Group A)
Published by Christine Blachford on
Ooh, football. Busy weekend, can't cope.
need a break from the frustration of le mans. let's have some footie.
do we know who needs to win what?
odd that bbc have both matches. itv should surely have one?
also... which do we watch?
Having to choose between the two is weird. I opt for Greece versus Russia, I think.
From what I can tell, all four of the teams can still qualify, so I guess it's all out for winning.
2 streams with cars, 2 football matches and trying to comment on them all? I'll just do the football I think.
it's a manic, manic day.
what if we're watching the wrong one?!
We've got the CZEvPOL on TV, and I've got the other on the LT.
Here ya go, Beeb genius:
Russia - will be through with a draw, and could even afford a defeat by fewer than six goals if the other game finishes level. Only a win will guarantee them top spot, without depending on the outcome of the other game.
Greece - will be through with a win, and out with a draw or loss.
Czech Republic - will go through with a win. They could even afford to draw unless Greece beat Russia by at least five goals.
Poland - will be through with a win, and out with a draw or loss.
Cheering for POL - having the hosts still in always keeps the tournament alive
okay, that is the match to watch.
ah-ha. are you managing to watch both?
Yup - the POLs just had a good chance
am replying on you!!
Relying.
wait... relying.
POL with a free kick outside the pen area
looks odd written down
Dont know who I want to win! Hopefully Poland and Russia go through I suppose?
Went close - good defending header
nice shot from russia. just wide.
Wrong spin on the RUS shot - ooooooh
i prefer these commentators after listening to eeyore yesterday.
Lawro?
Almost made a mess of that one, the RUS keeper
yeah. asked the samaritans to call him after last nights game.
The GREs look to be doing more pressing so far, vRUS
Dear oh dear. Watched both games last night at a friends house and we really enjoyed them....
i loved the game. i was worried about his mental state though ;)
On Thursday I ended up watching local TV with 5Live commentary. Worked fine for me..
The CZEvPOL players are getting very wet - although not (quite) as bad as last night's monsoon
Ooooooo POL went close
Shot from range, was a relatively easy save
greece gameplan... hoof the ball up the other end, wait for it to come back. repeat.
The CZEs are happy to soak up the pressure - they are playing for the draw already as that'll be enough for them.
This is why I don't mind if they don't go further.
You're not going to win anything by playing like that.
CZEvPOL - extra ball on pitch
russia seem to have this one in hand. feels like a slow paced game though.
overtime-multiball already?
:)
fans are really quiet at the moment. they need a sing-song.
These games look like the first ones again - careful - no one wants to make a mistake
yeah true. i imagined greece would be more keen to push on.
weak attempt at goal by russia. i coulda kicked that harder.
RUS man doing an owl impression
?
He had his hands on his face telling the ref he needed glasses - looking like an owl
heheheh
shot! too high though.
POL are getting closer - the CZEs aren't going to be able to keeo this goalless for the whole 90 mins
keeper had it covered.
Ohh CZE pressure and shot through bodies - keeper on top of it
blimey greece had a shot.
POL back on top, can they make the breakthrough before HT?
great chance for russia. messed it up.
HT CZEvPOL
0-0
fluffed again.
WHAT??????
GOAL GRE !!
Goal!!
8 seconds to half time, greece frickin score!
3rd shot on goal, the whole half.
where was the defence????
and terrible keeping. shocking.
RUS & GRE qualifying atm
eh? Totally missed that, no replay or anything!
throw in over russian defenders. guy turns, shoots and scores. keeper all over the place.
Cheers. Seen a replay now. Bad goal to let in by ROSSIYA!
On BBC 1, GaryL is pressing David Moyes on the THFC job, .. he says no contact.
bbc:
Russia had 17 shots in the first half but only one on target. Greece had three shots, two on target - one of those being Karagounis's goal.
CZEvPOL 2nd half underway
POL, Polanski = Yellow, for "an assaulting tackle"
samaras down. looks in pain.
CZE have started better - they know they need something from this game now.
boot to the ankle. walking it off.
hopeless shot. russia couldn't hit the goal if it was 14 meters wide.
RUS look like they are starting to play better, but do need more than that shot!
CZE just came close, the chance was a good one, the shot was less than
someone needs to draw a picture of the goal for them.
big thing. white net.
(Anybody worrying about Ant after his crash and not commenting: http://www.toyotahybridracing.com/toyota-racing-statement-anthony-davidson/ )
cheers.
i'll get back to the le mans feed in an hour or two. need to calm down from backmarker-rage (tm)
russia shoot. russia miss.
My brain was starting to melt with too much to concentrate on
http://j.mp/MaYIeN
PENALTY RUS
what does the ref say?
Woah - no
I think that guy is going to explode.
:)
Foul on the GRE in the RUS area - given as dive - major confusion
The POLs are pressed into their own pen area by the CZEs - by a series of corners and free kicks
Oooo - save by the POLs - it's all ended in a goal kick.
Do you hear the click-click-click of the multi-drives?
eh?
When the action gets close the the goal - all the journos' cameras' multiidrives taking a series of pics
ahhhhh. i'll listen.
yellow card for yuri.
Oooh, ref gave quite the stare then. Awesome.
don't mess with me...
I think they must be next to one of the pitch mics (near the RUSsian goal.)
GOAL CZE !!
greece hit to woodwork from the free kick. so very nearly.
ref is losing control of this one.
oooh, what does that change?
I think: CZE top, then GRE 2nd
because GRE and RUS are tied on points it goes to results between the teams.
cool.
It's always bad when you have to result to a look.
It was a nice move and nice finish, the keeping wasn't brilliant to be honest.
We need that group table in the corner all the time.
It would be very hard to program one that does a good enough job for MrC - the BBC struggle
saved by the greece keeper.
Goalkeeper, not greecekeeper!
:) :)
:)
lovely bicycle kick clearance.
CZE took a rocket of a shot to the face, and is now taking his time
Ooooo GRE close
Live tables you say? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/european-championship/2012/groups-schedule
yay!
woah, that was close.
Would've changed everything.
POL went v close - called offside - probably not offside
scuffle.
totally faking that injury.
Scuffle CZEvPOL as wel
At some point, he'll have to give up the charade :)
he's off the pitch... aaaand walking.
what a cheat./
Once you start the lie, you have to follow it through ;)
Russia FTW!
" limping "
The Greek coach looks like he has been in agony all game!
russia's manager has given up.
4mins added.
save!
4 mins in the other as well
that keeper nearly backed himself into the net!
another fine save.
Last throw of the dice!
Super save by a CZE def. Full time.
http://t.co/f8f1YsXF
yay!
CZE 1-0 POL FT
done. greece through.
Wow! What a set of games
Unbelievable. The experts said Greece and Czech wouldn't go through!
russia going home. stunning.
no way were greece the better team today.
"against the odds" - understatement of the night!
how many shots did greece have all game. no more than four surely.
If Greece can get through, England definitely have a chance.
:)
Nobody likes Greece.
GRE match stats: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18138461
CZE match stats: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18138771
i thought they were robbed of a penalty though. should've been 2-0.
cheers for the comments all. same time tomorrow.
Yup - time to chose a motorsport.
Test comment - arrow took me to the comments box on this page.
Did that post? Can't see it here. But the comments box was cleared.
Audi 3 is stopped or around somewhere.
And has brought it back home.
Speed just interviewed Nigel Stepney (sp), treading close, but "ain't going there" (in the words of Nigel Roebuck (sp) from the Pat Symons podcast. Great insight to a racing die-hard.