You're reading: Euro 2012 week 1 update

Kyiv Post closely follows all the Euro 2012 matches and keeps you aware of the tournament's progress.

Group A

Poland’s Robert Lewandowski fires in the opening goal of the tournament against Greece in Warsaw on June 8. Greece fought back in the second half to draw with the co-hosts 1-1 in the first game in Group A.

Russia looked set to cruise to the top of Group A after an opening night 4-1 demolition of Czech Republic, but stumbled to a draw against Poland and will need a draw in their finale to ensure they move on. Young playmaker Alan Dzagoev has been a revelation with three goals and leads an attack that should be strong enough to send the Russians through.

Czech Republic had one foot out the tournament door after their disappointing start but rebounded with two quick goals against Greece to keep hopes alive. Captain Tomas Rosicky was at the heart of the turnaround , blasting his team’s first-game effort in the press before leading by example in the Greece win. However, he could miss the Poland game with an Achilles injury.

Poland is rueing a host of missed opportunities from two inconsistent performances. The Polish attack has looked fluent at times, disjointed at others, and the side has failed to turn chances into goals in their pair of draws. The Polish midfield must do a better job of connecting the striker with the defense if the co-host is to prevail in a must-win game against the Czechs.

Greece gutted out a hard-earned, come-from-behind point in front of a deafening National Stadium crowd against Poland in Warsaw but couldn’t do the same against Czech Republic. Greece’s negative style is more suited to grinding out draws and is unlikely to yield the win they need against Russia.

Group B

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo tries a spectacular kick in his team’s opening loss to Germany on June 9. Ronaldo, who is Portugal’s star man, needs to pick up his performance in the team’s last game to help it qualify.

Germany has lived up to its billing as the tournament favorite and looks like the team to beat after wins against Portugal and the Netherlands. Mario Gomez, hounded for years by accusations that he couldn’t get it done at the international level, has scored three goals (Germany’s entire total) in two games. The Germans look stout in defense, dangerous going forward and it will take a massive effort from an opponent to keep them from lifting the trophy.

Denmark will be disappointed with its luck. The side knocked off rival Netherlands for one of their biggest wins in decades and followed it up with a dramatic two-goal fight back against Portugal – before giving up a late winner to Silvestre Varela. Now, Denmark must get a result against powerhouse Germany to go through. The strong performance from the young Danes thus far deserves better.

Portugal has been impressive, going toe-to-toe against Germany and rebounding to beat Denmark. The Portuguese were minutes away from reverting to their close-but-no-cigar major tournament history but will now be freed up to play with confidence. Star attacker Cristiano Ronaldo and midfielder Raul Meireles must improve for this side to make a dent in the knockout rounds.

Netherlands is the bust of the tournament. Questionable defending and internal discontent have been simmering under the surface for years and have exploded into two losses from two games. Amazingly, the Dutch still have a chance to advance, but on current form, don’t bet on it.

Group C

Italy’s Antonio Cassano (left) battles for the ball with Spain’s Gerard Pique during the teams’ 1-1 draw in Gdansk, Poland on June 10.

Croatia was overlooked by many coming into the tournament but put the field on high alert with a technical shredding of Ireland. The size and strength of striker pair Mario Mandzukic and Nikica Jelavic gives this Croatian side a toughness past versions have lacked. The survivor of the Croatia-Italy match will likely move on as a dark horse contender – and the loser will likely be out.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque went with an unorthodox, six-midfielder formation to open the tournament, and the result was a typical Spanish fluency combined with an atypical wastefulness in front of goal. To make a deep run, the Spaniards need a true striker to step up, be it the out-of-form Fernando Torres or overlooked Fernando Llorente.

Italy drew with Spain with a stereotypical Azzurri formula: Stout defense and a blistering counterattack. This style should serve them well against the ever-attacking Croatians, but gritty, pragmatic Ireland looms as a spoiler in the group finale. If Italy’s forwards remain efficient with their limited chances, this side should edge past Croatia into the quarter-finals.

Ireland surprised no one with their aggressive, borderline desperate work rate against Croatia, but a normally spotless defense was staggeringly poor in giving up three goals. Earning results against Italy and Spain will be too much of a mountain to climb, but Ireland’s supporters have been the fans of the tournament and will revel in the occasion anyway.

Group D

Andriy Shevchenko shouts in celebration at his second headed goal against Sweden in Kyiv on June 11. Shevchenko’s double sent Ukraine to the top of Group D.

Ukraine fans could not have dreamt up a better start to Euro 2012, as national legend Andriy Shevchenko struck twice with pinpoint headers to turn a 1-0 Sweden advantage into a dramatic victory. Yellow-Blues supporters are now hoping that the transcendent moment is not the only one of the tournament. Traditional powers France and England await, but the discipline of the confident Ukrainians gives them a legitimate shot at advancing.

France showed flashes of their brilliance against England but were frustrated into a draw. Les Blues showed plenty of creativity but always seemed one pass shy of a breakthrough. If the attacking triumvirate of Samir Nasri, Yohan Cabaye and Karim Benzema can find their fluency, France will be poised for a title challenge.

England will have been pleased with their opening result but will need to improve to survive the group stage. Manager Roy Hodgson sent out a surprisingly positive line-up against France and his side rewarded him with 30 minutes of the most creative play the Three Lions have shown in years. They regressed after scoring the opener, however, and will need to rediscover their rhythm to advance.

Sweden’s fans have been a joy to behold in Kyiv, relentlessly boisterous and positive. Their team is on the brink of elimination, however, and likely need a win against England to stay alive. Captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic needs some help in attack if the Swedes are to reach their pre-tournament potential.