Although Group A doesn't look the most thrilling group at face value, you can be sure it will still entertain. Co-hosts Poland will be determined to better their first European Championship showing after being eliminated in the group stages in 2008. In front of their own fans they should not be doubted. Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny would be key to any success they have, as the three other teams in Group A all have an experienced striker in one shape or form. Russia, the surprise semi-finalists of 2008, should be tough opposition for the other sides in their group. Unfortunately, the success of 2008 has not sparked a new era of Russian football, as many expected. Instead, the stars of that year have grown old, and no revolution materialised. Qualification was not necessarily achieved in style by the Russians, but more with efficiency. Only four goals were conceded in their ten qualifiers, and if they can match their great defending displays of those qualifiers with the spectacular attacking displays of 2008, then who knows what this they could achieve. Captain Andrei Arshavin will look to inspire, after struggling to hold down a first team place at Arsenal this season. Alan Dzagoev, 21, who is expected to play alongside Arshavin in attacking midfield, could step up as one of the very few young players in this Russian side. Greece would love to repeat their shock success of 2004, but that is highly unlikely. Like Russia, Greece had a tight defence in their qualifying campaign, conceding only five goals in ten games. This could probably largely be put down to them having one of the up and coming stars of the Bundesliga, Schalke 04's Kyriakos Papadopoulos. The 20 year old central defender carries high expectations, and it would not come of surprise to me if some good performances this summer do not go unnoticed by some Premier League clubs. I do not expect the Greeks to make it through to the knockout stages, but they will not go out without a fight. The Czech Republic's uninspiring qualification has hardly set them up for a hugely inspiring European Championship this summer, with real problems in the striking department. Only eight goals were scored in their 12 qualifying matches, and with Milan Baros having played in the majority of qualifiers, he seems to have lost the touch of his past. A repeat of his top scoring five goals at Euro 2004 looks highly unlikely. Group fixtures: June 8- Poland-Greece (BBC) June 8-Russia - Czech Republic (ITV) June 12- Greece - Czech Republic (ITV) June 12- Poland - Russia (ITV) June 16- Czech Republic - Poland (BBC) June 16- Greece - Russia (BBC) Feel free to post any predictions for this group or any views of your own below. Previews for groups B, C and D will follow shortly.
Expect Russia to comfortably top this group, they've got a fairly decent team, and in Akinfeev they've got one of the most promising talents in the world. Not sure who will be second, but I'll go out on a limb saying Czech Republic to get second. Poland to finish 3rd, leaving the 2004 champions to crash out in 4th.
Poland's main man is Robert Lewandowski. 30 goals for Borussia Dortmund this season. One of the best CF's going around.
True, but he's not had many chances to show he's world class. For Russia there's been a few games but the Russian league standard isn't high enough really to say that about him, hence promise
Polish team aren't going to feed him anywhere near as many chances as the Dortmund team though surely?
Of course not. But he will get chances and he is clinical also his all round play is class and needs to be to play for that Dortmund side.
