Czech Republic's Euro 2012 campaign came alive thanks to two goals in the first six minutes against 2004 champions Greece. Petr Jiráček scored the opener when he converted Tomáš Hübschman's defence-splitting pass in the third minute. Václav Pilař then grabbed his second goal of the tournament when he bundled home from two yards out. Greece had a goal ruled out for offside before Fanis Gekas capitalised on a Petr Čech howler after the break. It was the fifth goal Moscow Chelski FC's usually reliable number one had conceded in this tournament, but fortunately for the thirty-year-old he avoided further errors as his side held on for a vital victory. Apart from their defensive naivety during the 4-1 defeat by Russia, the Czech's other failing was waiting until late in the game to demonstrate their potency in attack. There was no such caution against the Greeks, as they catapulted themselves into a 2-0 lead inside six minutes. Both were scored by VfL Wolfsburg players. 
The first from the boot of winger Jiráček, who ran in from the right, burst past the Greek defence, and slotted in Hübschman's beautifully-weighted pass. The Greeks, who had to reorganise their defence coming into the match because of injury and suspension, were punished again three minutes later. The Arse's Tomáš Rosický fed in Theodor Gebre Selassie on the right side of the area. The full-back pulled his cross back for Pilař, who beat two defenders to the ball and directed his shot in with his thigh. There were further woes inflicted on Greece when veteran keeper Kostas Chalkias came off with an injury to be replaced by Michalis Sifakis. The PAOK Salonika man had barely got into position before he was called to push away Rosický's twenty five-yard bender. The Greeks' only threat of the half resulted in the ball hitting the back of the net, but Giorgos Fotakis's header was controversially ruled offside. The replay seemed to suggest he was at worst level with the last defender. Fotakis was replaced by Gekas after the break and, like in the first match against Poland when Dimitris Salpangidis made a difference, the change gave Greece an early second-half boost. On this occasion, Čech played a big part in goal when confusion between himself and his defender Tomáš Sivok caused him to fumble a tame cross. Gekas had the easy task of passing into an empty net. Greece brought on Olympiakos's Kostas Mitroglou to bring the number of forwards in their XI to four with twenty minutes remaining, but they seemed devoid of ideas against a flaky Czech defence. The game ended with the Czech supporters, quite literally, jumping for joy. Not the first bunch of a bouncing Czechs the Greeks have seen of late. Oh, no. The defeat leaves the Greeks needing victory against Russia to stand a chance of progressing, while the revitalised Czechs will face co-hosts and neighbours Poland for a probable shit-or-bust Group A finale.
Then, Poland produced a stirring performance in Warsaw to hold Russia to a draw to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive. The co-hosts came from behind during a thrilling second half, captain Jakub Błaszczykowski scoring the equaliser with a thunderous left-foot shot. Russia had taken the lead after thirty seven minutes, when Alan Dzagoev turned in Andrey Arshavin's curling free-kick. Both teams had chances to win what ended as a terrific game but ultimately the spoils were shared. The result leaves Group A wide open, with all four teams still mathematically able to qualify for the quarter-finals after a night of high drama in the Polish capital. This was not a rivalry in need of stoking, or a fixture that required additional hype. And yet fuel was thrown on the fire in the hours before kick-off as Polish riot police clashed with fans from both countries in a series of violent running exchanges on the streets of Warsaw. A march in support of Russia's Independence Day, from the city centre to the stadium, prompted widespread anger among Polish extremists. If the atmosphere around the stadium was raw at kick-off, the early exchanges were equally frenzied.
Arshavin was immediately in the thick of the action, probing, pressing, jinking beyond defenders. But the best of the early chances fell to Poland. Ludovic Obraniak's curling free-kick was headed goalwards by Sebastian Boenisch only for Russia goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev to turn the ball away. Poland had the ball in the net after seventeen minutes, but the linesman's flag correctly denied them after Robert Lewandowski and Eugen Polanski had linked up delightfully following an incisive one-touch passing move. But for all Poland's early exuberance, Russia remained a constant danger. Arshavin and Aleksandr Kerzhakov were at the heart of everything for Dirk Advocaat's team, who gradually began to resemble the side that had been imperious in sweeping aside the Czech Republic in their opening game. Poland struggled to contain the movement of Dzagoev, while Yuri Zhirkov's probing runs down the left flank were equally threatening. The momentum was shifting and Russia struck decisively. Arshavin's pin-point free-kick curled menacingly across the penalty area and it was Dzagoev who steered it beyond Poland goalkeeper Przemysław Tytoń, the ball fortuitously deflecting off his shoulder for his third goal of Euro 2012. Poland were unbowed, however. They began the second half as they had the first, Polanski finding Lewandowski beyond the final defender but the Borrusia Dortmund striker was driven wide before Malafeev snuffed out the danger with his legs. Lewandowski was through again moments later but Malafeev was again alert to the danger, punching clear decisively. The game was becoming increasingly stretched now. Russia threatened every time they broke forward but Poland refused to give up, pouring forward time after time, scattering red shirts and levelling the match with a stunning goal from their captain. 
Błaszczykowski escaped the attentions of Zhirkov, cut in from the right flank and unleashed a searing left-foot shot that arrowed beyond Malafeev and into the top left-hand corner of the net. The goal sparked scenes of euphoria in the stadium and Poland clearly drew strength from the partisan support. Adrian Mierzejewski fired wide from twenty five yards as Poland began to sniff an unlikely victory. Lewandowski saw a shot blocked before left-back Sebastian Boenisch surged forward, beat two Russian defenders and thundered a shot over the bar from distance. Both teams had chances to win the match but at the final whistle it was the Polish supporters who were celebrating like they'd won.
Back to today's matches and Denmark versus Portugal (kick-off 5.00pm). The second round of Group B fixtures gets under way with this clash at the Arena Lviv, featuring two nations who were also drawn alongside each other in the qualification process for this tournament.
Although they claimed one win apiece when they met, Portugal winning 3-1 in Oporto and Denmark triumphing 2-1 in Copenhagen, it was the Danes who topped the group with a three-point margin of safety, while the Portuguese went into the play-off stage by virtue of a superior goal difference to Norway. Portugal are appearing in a European Championship for the sixth time in their history, with their best performance seeing them finish as runners-up when they hosted the tournament eight years ago. That proved to be their last opportunity to capitalise on their so-called 'golden generation' of players which included the likes of Luis Figo and Rui Costa, who retired following that calamitous loss to Greece. But the current squad can boast the talents of Real Madrid star and cheating little greasy twat Cristiano Ronaldo and The Scum winger Nani. Presented by greed bucket Adrian Chiles. Badly. Again.
Over to the BBC for the always tasty clash between the Netherlands versus Germany (kick-off 7.45pm). Gary Lineker presents coverage from the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, where the Group B teams play their second match of the round-robin stage. Dutchman Robin van Persie and Germany's Lukas Podolski may be team-mates at The Arse next year, but there will be no love lost between them as the Dutch take on the Jerries and they each try to fire their side to glory in the showpiece fixture in the so-called Group of Death.
Both teams are fancied to emerge from the group stages, but today's clash may be crucial to deciding who they face in the knock-out rounds. The Dutch have an excellent record in this competition, having won it - magnificently - in 1988 and reached at least the quarter-final stage of every tournament since. As impressive as that may be, it is bettered by that of their opponents, who are three-time champions and have been runners-up on three more occasions, including four years ago. There have been two previous meetings between these nations at past European Championships since the reunification of Germany, firstly at Euro '92 when the Dutch claimed a 3-1 group-stage victory in Gothenburg, Sweden, and most recently at Euro 2004, when a 1-1 draw helped the Netherlands progress to the knock-out stage and contributed to Germany's elimination. It's one of the great rivalries in world football. So, come on Holland!
UEFA is to investigate alleged racist chanting during the Euro 2012 matches between Spain and Italy and Russia and the Czech Republic. A Spanish fans' group has claimed that some of its supporters abused Sheikh Yer Man City and Italy striker Mario Balotelli. Czech Republic defender Theodor Gebre Selassie told reporters he 'noticed' racist chants directed towards him. UEFA said that no disciplinary proceedings had been started at this stage. The UEFA statement added: 'Following the provision of new independent information today, regarding the two cases of alleged racist chanting in the Spain-Italy and Russia-Czech Republic matches, UEFA is now conducting further investigations.' No official complaints have been made to UEFA by Italy or Czech Republic. The admission by a Spanish fans' group that some of their supporters racially abused Balotelli during Sunday's game was sent to UEFA by an anti-racism network. Piara Powar, the chief executive of the Football Against Racism in Europe network, told BBC Sport that the statement, along with testimony from photographers at the game given to the Daily Mirra, has been handed to UEFA. 'Eye witness accounts like this are very important,' he said. 'It adds to the Daily Mirra account. And it gives UEFA something to go on when they look at this. Fare monitors didn't hear the abuse. We only have two observers in each stadium. And it hadn't come to the attention of UEFA's own officials at the game.'
Thomas Herzog, spokesman for the Football Supporters Europe Fans' Embassy team for Spanish supporters, said in a statement that around 'two hundred supporters started monkey chants when the Italian player Mario Balotelli touched the ball.' He added: 'We're glad to report that the majority of Spanish supporters reacted in a very positive way, because many of them tried to intervene very quickly and stop the fans in question from singing. We are clearly angry about this small section of Spanish supporters showing this kind of racist behaviour. But we have to stress that most of the Spanish supporters inside the stand were very aware of this issue and tried their best to intervene.' Powar believes that UEFA needs to take action over racist incidents within Euro 2012 if the evidence is presented to them. 'When it comes to tournament situations it's important to see proper sanctions taken so that the message can be given to the world,' he said. 'So it's good to hear Spanish fans taking this action and self-policing.' Cesare Prandelli, head coach for Italy, told BBC Sport on Monday that 'no incident had taken place' with regard to Balotelli during the Spain game. The same day UEFA wrote to the mayors of Polish and Ukrainian cities hosting Euro 2012 training sessions to ask for an increased police presence to avoid racist behaviour from fans. Some members of the Netherlands squad complained of hearing monkey noises at an open training session at Wisla Krakow's stadium last week when thousands of people turned up to watch.
And finally, occasions when you really don't want to get cold-called by someone claiming to be trying to help you if you've been sold personal injury protection. Number one: Right in the middle of an England game. Which, yer actual Keith Telly Topping now discovers, not only happened to him but, also, to at least two of his mates. Come on, people, there's a time and a place for that sort of thing.
The first from the boot of winger Jiráček, who ran in from the right, burst past the Greek defence, and slotted in Hübschman's beautifully-weighted pass. The Greeks, who had to reorganise their defence coming into the match because of injury and suspension, were punished again three minutes later. The Arse's Tomáš Rosický fed in Theodor Gebre Selassie on the right side of the area. The full-back pulled his cross back for Pilař, who beat two defenders to the ball and directed his shot in with his thigh. There were further woes inflicted on Greece when veteran keeper Kostas Chalkias came off with an injury to be replaced by Michalis Sifakis. The PAOK Salonika man had barely got into position before he was called to push away Rosický's twenty five-yard bender. The Greeks' only threat of the half resulted in the ball hitting the back of the net, but Giorgos Fotakis's header was controversially ruled offside. The replay seemed to suggest he was at worst level with the last defender. Fotakis was replaced by Gekas after the break and, like in the first match against Poland when Dimitris Salpangidis made a difference, the change gave Greece an early second-half boost. On this occasion, Čech played a big part in goal when confusion between himself and his defender Tomáš Sivok caused him to fumble a tame cross. Gekas had the easy task of passing into an empty net. Greece brought on Olympiakos's Kostas Mitroglou to bring the number of forwards in their XI to four with twenty minutes remaining, but they seemed devoid of ideas against a flaky Czech defence. The game ended with the Czech supporters, quite literally, jumping for joy. Not the first bunch of a bouncing Czechs the Greeks have seen of late. Oh, no. The defeat leaves the Greeks needing victory against Russia to stand a chance of progressing, while the revitalised Czechs will face co-hosts and neighbours Poland for a probable shit-or-bust Group A finale.Then, Poland produced a stirring performance in Warsaw to hold Russia to a draw to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive. The co-hosts came from behind during a thrilling second half, captain Jakub Błaszczykowski scoring the equaliser with a thunderous left-foot shot. Russia had taken the lead after thirty seven minutes, when Alan Dzagoev turned in Andrey Arshavin's curling free-kick. Both teams had chances to win what ended as a terrific game but ultimately the spoils were shared. The result leaves Group A wide open, with all four teams still mathematically able to qualify for the quarter-finals after a night of high drama in the Polish capital. This was not a rivalry in need of stoking, or a fixture that required additional hype. And yet fuel was thrown on the fire in the hours before kick-off as Polish riot police clashed with fans from both countries in a series of violent running exchanges on the streets of Warsaw. A march in support of Russia's Independence Day, from the city centre to the stadium, prompted widespread anger among Polish extremists. If the atmosphere around the stadium was raw at kick-off, the early exchanges were equally frenzied.
Arshavin was immediately in the thick of the action, probing, pressing, jinking beyond defenders. But the best of the early chances fell to Poland. Ludovic Obraniak's curling free-kick was headed goalwards by Sebastian Boenisch only for Russia goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev to turn the ball away. Poland had the ball in the net after seventeen minutes, but the linesman's flag correctly denied them after Robert Lewandowski and Eugen Polanski had linked up delightfully following an incisive one-touch passing move. But for all Poland's early exuberance, Russia remained a constant danger. Arshavin and Aleksandr Kerzhakov were at the heart of everything for Dirk Advocaat's team, who gradually began to resemble the side that had been imperious in sweeping aside the Czech Republic in their opening game. Poland struggled to contain the movement of Dzagoev, while Yuri Zhirkov's probing runs down the left flank were equally threatening. The momentum was shifting and Russia struck decisively. Arshavin's pin-point free-kick curled menacingly across the penalty area and it was Dzagoev who steered it beyond Poland goalkeeper Przemysław Tytoń, the ball fortuitously deflecting off his shoulder for his third goal of Euro 2012. Poland were unbowed, however. They began the second half as they had the first, Polanski finding Lewandowski beyond the final defender but the Borrusia Dortmund striker was driven wide before Malafeev snuffed out the danger with his legs. Lewandowski was through again moments later but Malafeev was again alert to the danger, punching clear decisively. The game was becoming increasingly stretched now. Russia threatened every time they broke forward but Poland refused to give up, pouring forward time after time, scattering red shirts and levelling the match with a stunning goal from their captain. 
Błaszczykowski escaped the attentions of Zhirkov, cut in from the right flank and unleashed a searing left-foot shot that arrowed beyond Malafeev and into the top left-hand corner of the net. The goal sparked scenes of euphoria in the stadium and Poland clearly drew strength from the partisan support. Adrian Mierzejewski fired wide from twenty five yards as Poland began to sniff an unlikely victory. Lewandowski saw a shot blocked before left-back Sebastian Boenisch surged forward, beat two Russian defenders and thundered a shot over the bar from distance. Both teams had chances to win the match but at the final whistle it was the Polish supporters who were celebrating like they'd won.Back to today's matches and Denmark versus Portugal (kick-off 5.00pm). The second round of Group B fixtures gets under way with this clash at the Arena Lviv, featuring two nations who were also drawn alongside each other in the qualification process for this tournament.
Although they claimed one win apiece when they met, Portugal winning 3-1 in Oporto and Denmark triumphing 2-1 in Copenhagen, it was the Danes who topped the group with a three-point margin of safety, while the Portuguese went into the play-off stage by virtue of a superior goal difference to Norway. Portugal are appearing in a European Championship for the sixth time in their history, with their best performance seeing them finish as runners-up when they hosted the tournament eight years ago. That proved to be their last opportunity to capitalise on their so-called 'golden generation' of players which included the likes of Luis Figo and Rui Costa, who retired following that calamitous loss to Greece. But the current squad can boast the talents of Real Madrid star and cheating little greasy twat Cristiano Ronaldo and The Scum winger Nani. Presented by greed bucket Adrian Chiles. Badly. Again.Over to the BBC for the always tasty clash between the Netherlands versus Germany (kick-off 7.45pm). Gary Lineker presents coverage from the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, where the Group B teams play their second match of the round-robin stage. Dutchman Robin van Persie and Germany's Lukas Podolski may be team-mates at The Arse next year, but there will be no love lost between them as the Dutch take on the Jerries and they each try to fire their side to glory in the showpiece fixture in the so-called Group of Death.
Both teams are fancied to emerge from the group stages, but today's clash may be crucial to deciding who they face in the knock-out rounds. The Dutch have an excellent record in this competition, having won it - magnificently - in 1988 and reached at least the quarter-final stage of every tournament since. As impressive as that may be, it is bettered by that of their opponents, who are three-time champions and have been runners-up on three more occasions, including four years ago. There have been two previous meetings between these nations at past European Championships since the reunification of Germany, firstly at Euro '92 when the Dutch claimed a 3-1 group-stage victory in Gothenburg, Sweden, and most recently at Euro 2004, when a 1-1 draw helped the Netherlands progress to the knock-out stage and contributed to Germany's elimination. It's one of the great rivalries in world football. So, come on Holland!UEFA is to investigate alleged racist chanting during the Euro 2012 matches between Spain and Italy and Russia and the Czech Republic. A Spanish fans' group has claimed that some of its supporters abused Sheikh Yer Man City and Italy striker Mario Balotelli. Czech Republic defender Theodor Gebre Selassie told reporters he 'noticed' racist chants directed towards him. UEFA said that no disciplinary proceedings had been started at this stage. The UEFA statement added: 'Following the provision of new independent information today, regarding the two cases of alleged racist chanting in the Spain-Italy and Russia-Czech Republic matches, UEFA is now conducting further investigations.' No official complaints have been made to UEFA by Italy or Czech Republic. The admission by a Spanish fans' group that some of their supporters racially abused Balotelli during Sunday's game was sent to UEFA by an anti-racism network. Piara Powar, the chief executive of the Football Against Racism in Europe network, told BBC Sport that the statement, along with testimony from photographers at the game given to the Daily Mirra, has been handed to UEFA. 'Eye witness accounts like this are very important,' he said. 'It adds to the Daily Mirra account. And it gives UEFA something to go on when they look at this. Fare monitors didn't hear the abuse. We only have two observers in each stadium. And it hadn't come to the attention of UEFA's own officials at the game.'
Thomas Herzog, spokesman for the Football Supporters Europe Fans' Embassy team for Spanish supporters, said in a statement that around 'two hundred supporters started monkey chants when the Italian player Mario Balotelli touched the ball.' He added: 'We're glad to report that the majority of Spanish supporters reacted in a very positive way, because many of them tried to intervene very quickly and stop the fans in question from singing. We are clearly angry about this small section of Spanish supporters showing this kind of racist behaviour. But we have to stress that most of the Spanish supporters inside the stand were very aware of this issue and tried their best to intervene.' Powar believes that UEFA needs to take action over racist incidents within Euro 2012 if the evidence is presented to them. 'When it comes to tournament situations it's important to see proper sanctions taken so that the message can be given to the world,' he said. 'So it's good to hear Spanish fans taking this action and self-policing.' Cesare Prandelli, head coach for Italy, told BBC Sport on Monday that 'no incident had taken place' with regard to Balotelli during the Spain game. The same day UEFA wrote to the mayors of Polish and Ukrainian cities hosting Euro 2012 training sessions to ask for an increased police presence to avoid racist behaviour from fans. Some members of the Netherlands squad complained of hearing monkey noises at an open training session at Wisla Krakow's stadium last week when thousands of people turned up to watch.And finally, occasions when you really don't want to get cold-called by someone claiming to be trying to help you if you've been sold personal injury protection. Number one: Right in the middle of an England game. Which, yer actual Keith Telly Topping now discovers, not only happened to him but, also, to at least two of his mates. Come on, people, there's a time and a place for that sort of thing.
