Poland eye strong start

Poland midfielder Eugen Polanski believes a fast start to the European Championships against Greece is vital for his under-rated side.

Coming into the tournament, Poland may be one of the host nations, but with a FIFA ranking of number 65 in the world, they are a long way behind their Group A opponents Russia (world number 11), Greece (14) and Czech Republic (26).

Although Greece won the 2004 European Championships, Group A is without all the major favourites for this year’s competition in Spain, Germany, France and Italy.

And, with such an open group, 26-year-old Mainz midfielder Polanski believes getting a fast start may just be enough to take his side through to the quarter-finals.

“It’s important to win the first game and start the tournament with three points,” Polanski said.

“Once we achieve this, we will focus on other challenges that lie ahead.

“For the time being, there’s not much I can say about our upcoming game with Greece, all I know is that they are tough opponents, with remarkable defensive skills.

“But we will cause them some problems as well – that’s for sure.”

It is only the second time Poland have competed at the European Championships, having made their maiden appearance in 2008, with the co-hosts looking to improve on that effort where they were knocked out in the group stages.

Although they boast some serious talent in Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski and midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski, who is also the Polish skipper, goalkeeper Grzegorz Sandomierski said the Poles cannot simply rely on their stars to shine if they hope to advance.

“We all realise that, for us, we could be involved in this tournament for the whole month,” Sandomierski said.

“That is why we all have to be prepared to come out onto the pitch at any time and try to make that one decisive pass, to score or to make a save.

“The fate of the whole tournament might be in the hands of one person in this team.

“We are aware that we will all be useful at some point, if not on the pitch, then outside, where we must stay strong psychologically.

“We have to support each other. It is crucial for this team to be absolutely united.

“Only then will we be able to achieve a number of great things.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/poland-eye-strong-start/95882/

Tziolis cut from Greece squad World Soccer Shop

Teenage winger Kostas Fortounis has been included in Greece's 23-man squad for Euro 2012, but Alexandros Tziolis and Panagiotis Kone are out.

Tziolis: Fails to get Greek nod

Kaiserlautern's Fortounis, 19, has only won two caps to date but has done enough to persuade coach Fernando Santos he is worth taking to Poland.

However, experienced defensive midfielder Tziolis has failed to make the cut due to a lack of match action for French Ligue 2 club Monaco, whom he joined in February.

Santos said: "We know that Tziolis hasn't played enough this season. But that's why we take players along to the training camp, to check out their condition."

The other player omitted by the Portuguese coach is attacking midfielder Kone, who spent last season on loan at Bologna.

Greece's final friendly is against Armenia in Austria on Thursday.

They then kick off the tournament against co-hosts Poland in the Group A clash in Warsaw a week on Friday, before facing the Czech Republic and then Russia.

Final 23-man Greece squad for Euro 2012:

Goalkeepers: Kostas Chalkias (PAOK), Michalis Sifakis (Aris Thessaloniki), Alexandros Tzorvas (Palermo).

Defenders: Vassilis Torosidis (Olympiacos), Kyriakos Papadopoulos (Schalke), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Werder Bremen), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiacos), Jose Holebas (Olympiacos), Giorgos Tzavellas (Monaco), Stelios Malezas (PAOK).

Midfielders: Kostas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Giannis Maniatis (Olympiacos), Giorgos Fotakis (PAOK), Grigoris Makos (AEK Athens), Giannis Fetfatzidis (Olympiacos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Kostas Fortounis (Kaiserslautern).

Strikers: Dimitris Salpigidis (PAOK), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic), Fanis Gekas (Samsunspor), Nikos Liberopoulos (AEK Athens), Kostas Mitroglou (Atromitos).

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17352/tziolis_cut_from_greece_squad

Blaszczykowski: First game is crucial

Borussia Dortmund star Jakub Blaszczykowski says Poland cannot afford to lose their Euro 2012 opener against Greece on June 8.

The attacking midfielder believes defeat in his country’s first game would mean their chances of surviving the group stage would have to depend on the results of their other Group A rivals – Russia and the Czech Republic.

Blaszczykowski is determined to avoid such as scenario.

“The first match is the most important – it will practically be a small final for us,” the 26-year-old midfielder told Uefa.com.

“We have played in championships a couple of times and lost the first game. It means you don’t have your destiny completely in your own hands any more.

“We have to remember that, and make sure it doesn’t happen.”

The match between Poland and Greece takes place at the National Stadium in Warsaw.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/blaszczykowski-first-game-is-crucial/95394/

Greece squad depart for Austria

Greece’s provisional squad have departed for Austria where they will step up their preparations for Euro 2012.

The Greeks, who won the competition in 2004, will be located in Kitzbuhel, Tyrol, which will host their friendlies against Slovenia and Armenia.

Greece coach Fernando Santos has a 25-man squad with two players set to miss the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters ahead of his side’s trip to Austria, the former PAOK coach was critical of Greek league officials for their failure to end the domestic campaign earlier in preparation for Euro 2012.

“I know my players very well. I know that they are very happy to be here and I’m sure that they will work hard to be ready for the opening game against Poland on June 8,” Santos said.

“We are late in starting our preparation for the Euros, but there is nothing we can do now.”

Experienced midfielder Kostas Katsouranis also spoke to the press, saying Greece’s aim was to progress to the quarter-finals.

“Our goal is to advance from the group stage and we will do everything to make sure this happens. We want this because Greek fans love and support this team,” he added.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/greece-squad-depart-for-austria/95103/