EURO 2012 - Poland vs. Greece (8/6/12)

Despite the fact that the history stats have tournament hosts suffer in their debut, Poland entertains Greece in full confidence and knowing exactly who they are dealing with. The co-hosts with Ukraine have shown a nice attractive offensively game in the last two years friendlies but their defensive weaknesses were also revealed. Still, mister Smuda had enough time to prepare his team’s defensive approach, so we are expecting a 100% ready Polish team to start the tournament with the victory.

The Greek team is based in a couple of experience players like Karagounis and Torosidis and in some youngsters but we haven’t seen anything spectacular from these guys in the qualification round. Greece’s group was the easiest possible and it wasn’t any hard task to get the first place. Senor Santos keeps faith in his processor strategy Otto Rehhagel so Greece remains a strong defensively side that strikes through set pieces and crosses mainly from Torosidis from the right wing.

Poland have some great offensive guys in their squad. Three of them have been under a great season in Dortmund, the right full back Piszczek, the midfielder Jakub Błaszczykowski (most comonly known as Kuba) who is Poland’s the captain as well and start striker Robert Lewandowski! All these know each other very well and as long as the first two are playing in the right wing they will have the opportunity to repeat their excellent work in Dortmund!

So, it is crystal clear what we are expecting to see in the opening game; an attacking Polland team and a defensive Greek one. Even though Smuda stated yesterday that a possible draw will keep their hopes alive and Greece will definitely be satisfied with the one point, I will not stick on that and will take the hosts to win! Poland is in better shape and better prepared and they will have 50.000 supporters in the stands! I have to add here that there will be 5.000 Greeks on the stadium as well and if the game goes well for Greece the “win” in the stands will be for the visitors.

Home advantage, better shape, quality squad and greater enthusiasm are the facts I based my bet on Poland. Good luck and let the games begin!

Pick: Poland, Odds: 2.10, Bookmaker: Betfair, Stakes: 10 (flat)

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