WARSAW, POLAND (AP) - Poland and Russia drew 1-1 on Tuesday in Group A at the European Championship in Wroclaw.
Here is a running account of Tuesday’s action. All times are local to Poland.
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2255: AP’s reporter with the Spanish squad, Paul Logothetis, reports: Riot police were called to Spain’s European Championship training ground Tuesday as hundreds of ticketless fans were denied access to the defending champions’ practice. Locals and Spanish fans loitered outside the entrance as a line of riot police stood guard while ticket holders streamed in to the session. There were no disturbances as a dozen police officers in riot gear stood by.The 900-seat capacity had been reached to watch the World Cup champions, who play Ireland on Thursday following a 1-1 draw against Italy to open Group C.
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2245: So co-host Poland will need to win against the Czech Republic to go through to the knock-out stages of Euro 2012. Russia will play Greece in their final game knowing a point will be enough. Tomorrow, Denmark take on Portugal after their surprise 1-0 victory over the Netherlands, who play Germany knowing that if they lose, they will be out of the tournament. Tomorrow promises to be a brilliant day of football.
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2240: Crowd trouble flares up again in Warsaw.Polish police fire rubber bullets, tear gas at group of young Poles who attacked them with bottles.
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2236: Russia took the lead in the first half when Alan Dzagoev netted his third goal of the tournament. Poland were rejuvinated after the break and Jakub Blaszczykowski equalized for them with one of the goals of the tournament - well worth viewing. Overall a draw was a fair result, both sides looked capable of scoring a winner but neither did enough to deserve three points.
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FULL TIME Poland 1-1 Russia:
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2230: Russia with plenty of possession in the closing stages but are struggling to get in behind the Poland defense, who are holding very strong.
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2227: Change for Poland, Eugen Polanski off for Adam Matuszczyk. Polanski had picked up a bit of a knoc going in for a challenge with Yuri Zhirkov a few minutes ago and could no longer continue. He was booked for his troubles, too.
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2224: The Czech Republic earned first three vital points for a 2-1 much needed victory over Greece at the European Championship at a cost: captain Tomas Rosicky injured his Achilles tendon and said he was doubtful for the final Group A game.
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2220:Dzagoev is now being replaced by Mazat Izmailov for Russia. We are inside the last ten minutes here at the National Stadium, can either side find a winner? If Russia were to go on and win, that would secure their qualification to the kncok out stages with another group game left to play.
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2218: Franciszek Smuda is barking orders from the sideline to his Poland side after they misplace a series of passes. Smuda seems to fancy his chances of getting a winner here.
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2218: Alan Dzagoev is booked for dissent by Wolfgang Stark after he refuses to accept the referee’s decision for not giving a foul on the 21-year-old.
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2216: And now Poland make a change, Darius Dudka is replaced by Adrian Mierzejewski.
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2212: That is the last contribution from Aleksandr Kerzhakov, who is being replaced by Roman Pavlyuchenko. Kerzhakov doesn’t look best pleased about that decision from his manager, Dick Advocaat.
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2207: Alan Dzagoev links up with Kerzhakov, playing a neat one-two before trying to slide the ball into the net with a low effort, but Tyton gets down well to save.
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2202: Robert Lewandowski has gone into the referee’s book after a clash with a Russian player.
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2200: What a goal! What a brilliant strike from Poland’s captain Jakub Blaszczycowski. He cuts inside from the right of the penalty with his first touch before blasting the ball with his left foot into the far top corner of the net. That shot was unstoppable and Poland are level in style. Game on.
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GOAL! POLAND 1 RUSSIA 1
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2151: Malafeev to the rescue for Russia as Lewandowski threatens once more. Obraniak curves a high a ball into the path of the Poland striker who makes run into the penalty area and tries to prod the ball in with his foot. Malafeev reads the situation well though and comes out to punch the ball to safety before Lewandowski reaches it.
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2147: Perquis heads over the bar from a Ludovic Obraniak corner. That was a decent chance for the defender to get Poland back on equal terms but it is a good start to the second half from the co-host.
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2141: The players are back on the pitch and Russia get the second half underway. If Robert Lewandowski comes out and inspires his side to a 2-1 victory, he could become Poland’s equivalent to fellow co-host Ukraine’s Andriy Shevchenko, after his heroics against Sweden yesterday. The stage is set!
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HALF TIME Poland 0-1 Russia
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2130: Poland have looked a bit overwhelmed by the magnitude of the game they are playing here. They enjoyed a bit of possession in the opposition half earlier in the game but are struggling now to put the Russia defense under any pressure.
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gdunbarap: 1-0 Russia, fans behind goal throw exploding firecracker to side of pitch, and glowing white firework near penalty area, delaying kick off (via Twitter)
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2125: He’s had a quiet first 20 minutes here, but Alan Dzagoev has just scored his third goal of the European Championship. Andrey Arshavin curls an inviting cross into the penalty area from a free kick and Dzagoev is on hand to head the ball inside the far post after a flick on from defender Ignashevich. The Russian fans go wild.
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2122:
GOAL! Poland 0-1 RUSSIA DZAGOEV
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2112: he is looking dangerous though, Kerzhakov. He receives the ball on the left and beats his defender before cutting inside onto his right and shooting from 30 yards. The ball loops over but that was good play from the Russia striker. Arshavin nearly threads in Kerzhakov but his pass is well cut out by Poland. Kerzhakov had seven chances to score against the Czech Republic on Friday and every single one missed the target. He retains his place in the starting line up though, despite Roman Pavlyuchenko taking his place in the last 15 minutes and scoring in Russia’s Group A opener.
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2104: Poland score, but it is rightly ruled out for offside. Eugen Polanski is the one who thinks he has given his side the lead but he is a yard ahead of the defense as he latches onto Lewandowski’s pass.
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2055: Robert Lewandowski goes close now for Poland and if this finds the back of the net, it is one of the goals of the tournament. He controls a header with his left thigh before unleashing a fierce volley with his left foot which flashes a yard over the bar. Great effort and he was unlucky there, Lewandowski.
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2051:
It is Poland who go closest to scoring. Ludovic Obraniak hits a teasing ball into the middle and Sebastian Boenisch flicks it goalwards but it hits the leg of Russian goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev, He didn’t know too much about it, Malafeev, but Russia survive.
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2048: Russia enjoying the better of the early exchanges. They look dangerous going forward and Andrey Arshavin tries to pick out Shirokov in the center but Poland clear.
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2045: Wolfgang Stark of Germany is the referee tonight. As he oversees the two captains shaking he hands, Stark grabs their attention and points to the ’RESPECT’ logo on his sleeve. Poland will kick off.
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Russian football fans clashed with police and Poland supporters in separate incidents in Warsaw on Tuesday, shortly before the two teams were to meet in an emotionally charged match at Euro 2012. Police said 10 people were injured; seven Poles, two Russians and one German.
In what appeared to be the most violent incident, Polish football hooligans were seen attacking Russians, who responded violently. The two sides, made up of dozens of men, kicked and beat each other in the face, while flares could be seen exploding in their midst.
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2025: Italy forward Antonio Cassano says he hopes there are no homosexual players on the national team at the European Championship, and he also used a derogatory word to describe gays. After being told by an Italian reporter that there might be some undeclared gay players on the team, Cassano appeared at a loss for words before responding.
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2020: The teams have been announced for the second match of the day, Poland vs Russia.
Russia: Malafeev, Anyukov, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Shirokov, Denisov, Zyryanov, Arshavin, Kerzhakov, Berezutski, Dzagoev. Russia substitutes: Akinfeev, Sharonov, Izmailov, Pavlyuchenko, Kombarov, Kokorin, Granat, Pogrebnyak, Nababkin, Glushakov, Semshov, Shunin.
Poland: Tyton, Boenisch, Dudka, Perquis, Piszczek, Polanski, Murawksi, Obraniak, Blaszczykowski, Wasilewski, Lewandowski.Poland substitutes: Sandomierski, Wojtkowiak, Kaminski, Matuszczyk, Rybus, Wawrzyniak, Sobiech, Mierzejewski, Wolski, Grosicki, Brozek.
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RESULT: GREECE 1 CZECH REPUBLIC 2
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1950: huge win for the Czech Republic. They had to take something from this game or they would be the first side to exit the tournament and they made an electric start, with two goals in the opening six minutes. Greece pulled one back through Fanis Gekas after an awful mistake from goalkeeper Petr Cech but the Greeks failed to push on from there and the Czech Republic take all three points. One sour note for the Czechs though, as captain Tomas Rosicky had to be replaced at half time as he has a foot injury. No word yet on how bad it is.
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1937: sdouglas80: National Stadium in Warsaw slowly filling up. Calm before the storm. Looking forward to seeing this Dzagoev character (via Twitter)
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1933: sdouglas80: Crossed the Vistula with the Russian march to National Stadium in Warsaw. Huge police presence, simmering tension (via Twitter)
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1927: Chants of ’Hellas (Greece)’ from the Greeks rain out around the stadium as they urge their side to push on and score. Fifteen minutes left for them to do so and Kostas Mitroglou comes on for Kostas Fortounis
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1916: And now Salpingidis is quick to follow Papadopoulos into the referee’s book for a rash tackle on David Limbersky. Kyriakos Papdopoulos is booked for Greece after a slide tackle on Milan Baros. The 20-year-old can have no complaints at all about that.
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1914: Greece have a goal and suddenly it is all to play for again, but it is a terrible mix up in the Czech Republic defense. A poor delivery from Samaras on the left is going straight into the hands of Petr Cech but as he comes to claim it he bumps into Tomas Sivok and knocks the ball right into the path of Fanis Gekas, who passes into an empty net. The Greeks are back in this. Can Gekas steal the role of super-sub from Salpingids and bring his side level?
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GOAL! GREECE 1 CZECH REPUBLIC 2
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1904: The Greeks have looked to deliver the ball into the Czech Republic penalty area since the beginning the second half but have done nothing to test goalkeeper Petr Cech, who has assumed the captain’s armband since Rosicky was substituted.
___ The teams are back out on the pitch, the Czech Republic in all red and Greece in white. Both sides making a change, Daniel Kolar on for Czech Republic captain Tomas Rosicky and Fanis Gekas replaces Giorgos Fotakis for Greece.
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The Czech Republic eased up after scoring twice in the opening six minutes against Greece at the Municipal Stadium. Petr Jiracek scored in the third minute before Vaclav Pilar doubled the lead moments after. Greece had a Giorgos Fotakis header ruled out for offside moments before half time but before then, offered little going forward. They will need to see more from the likes of Giorgios Samaras and Dimitris Salpingidis if they are to get back into this.
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HALF-TIME: GREECE 0 CZECH REPUBLIC 2
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1835: Greece has the ball in the back of the net, but it is ruled out for offside. The ball is delivered into the center from Torosidis on the right and Giorgos Fotakis rises highest and heads the ball past Petr Cech, but the linesman’s flag is up. will that give Greece some hope to steal a goal in the dying minutes of the first half?
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1834: Vassilis Torosidis is now shown yellow from referee Lannoy after challenging Vaclav Pilar from behind.
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1838: In Warsaw, hooligans have clashed during a march by Russia fans on the way to the National Stadium before the match against Poland. An Associated Press journalist witnessed Polish hooligans attacking Russians, who responded violently. The two sides, made up of dozens, kicked and beat each other in the faces.
Several people were seen lying injured and bleeding on the ground, with one of them appearing to be seriously hurt.
Most of the Russians marching appeared unaware of the trouble. About 5,000 Russian fans marched to the National Stadium to show their support for their national team before it confronts Poland.
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1827: Czech Republic captain Tomas Rosicky is booked for a high foot. He caught Karagounis on the head with his boot but it was accidental.
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1824: Kostas Chalkias is having to be replaced here for Greece, as things get even worse for them. The 38-year-old goalkeeper walks off the pitch shaking his head and is replaced by Michalis Sifakis. Chalkias receives treatment on his right thigh as he takes a seat on the bench.
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1821: Vaclav Pilar looks to make it three for the Czechs and grab his second of the game, but just misses. He weaves inside from the left and drives a low shot towards goal but it was the wrong side of the post. Greece are trying to find their way back into the game here but are naturally quite stunned after falling two goals behind so suddenly. They won a couple of free kicks in promising areas but failed to make something of it.
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1809: Michal Bilek, the Czech Republic coach, had his name roundly booed by the many Czech fans in the stadium when the line up was announced before kick off, says AP’s Derek Gatopoulos. He’s surely a bit more popular with them now, after this electric start from his side. Sensational start by the Czechs here and they double their lead after six minutes. Theodor Gebre Selassie breaks down the right and hits the byline before sending the ball into the six yard area. Chalkias gets a weak hand to the ball and it continues on its path into the centre, where Vaclav Pilar gets inbetween the two centre backs and knocks the ball with his thigh into the back of the net as he falls to the ground. He showed far more determination to get the ball there than the Greek defenders and he gets his goal.
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1806: Petr Jiracek gives the Czech Republic a dream start with a clinical finish in the third minute. He darts inside the defender and runs onto a sublime through ball from Tomas Hubschman who sends a left footed effort past Kostas Chalkias.
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GOAL! GREECE 0 CZECH REPUBLIC 2
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GOAL! GREECE 0 CZECH REPUBLIC 1
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1800: Greece get the game underway.
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1759: The anthems are over and players are shaking hands. Kick off is moments away. If Greek captain Giorgios Karagounis or defender Jose Holebas are booked today, they will miss the final group match against Russia for picking up two bookings. Nobody for the Czech Republic is a yellow card away from a suspension.
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1743: With thousands of Rssuians in Warsaw, we will keep you updated with our very own Graham Dunbar’s journey to the National Stadium in Warsaw, along with AP colleague Steve Douglas, for today’s late match between Poland and Russia. There are reports of some scuffled between Polish riot police and Russian fans.
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1743: gdunbarap: Too late to get tram to stadium, now following the Russian fans marching across the bridge over Vistula river, with riot police escort (via Twitter)
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1739: Gatopoulos adds that the Czech fans are out in force for this one: “The Czechs, 100 kilometers from the border, are heavily outnumbering the Greeks on a sunny day in Wroclaw.” Derek Gatopoulos, AP’s man in Greece, reports that there is a surprising number of Scottish people in Wroclaw. “Curiously a lot of Scots are in the city in football shirts and kilts, even though they are not in the competition. So Tartan Army meets the Spartan Army,” he says.
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1733: After their 4-1 defeat to Russia, the Czech Republic knows that if they lose today to 2004 winner Greece, they will be the first side out of the tournament. Milan Baros, who was joint top scorer in 2004, leads the attack for the Czech’s with support from the likes of captain Tomas Rosicky and widemen Vaclav Pilar and Petr Jiracek.
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1723: Stephane Lannoy from France is the referee. If Greece win, the Czech Republic will be out of Euro 2012 after two defeats. Greece will have to start with two different center backs after injury to Avraam Papadopoulos and the suspension of Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
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1723: Costas Katsouranis drops into defense and partners 20-year-old Kyriakos Papadopoulos in the center for Greece. Avraam Papadopoulos, who started there against Poland, is out of the tournament with a knee ligament injury. His partner at the back for that game, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, misses today’s match through suspension after being sent off for two bookable offenses. Dimitris Salpingidis starts after his impact coming off the bench against Poland in the opening game of Euro 2012. He scored the equalizer, won a penalty and inspired Greece to an energetic second half performance. Coach Fernando Santos could not leave him out today after that.
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1710: Czech Republic: Cech, Gebre Selassie, Sivok, Kadlec, Limbersky, Hubschman, Plasil, Jiracek, Rosicky, Pilar, Baros. Substitutes: Lastuvka, Suchy, Hubnik, Necid, Rezek, Petrzela, Rajtoral, Kolar, Pekhart, Lafata, Darida, Drobny. Greece: Chalkias, Maniatis, Papadopoulos, Torosidis, Holebas, Karagounis, Fotakis, Katsouranis, Fortounis, Samaras, Salpingidis. Greece substitutes: Tzorvas, Tzavelas, Malezas, Makos, Liberopoulos, Mitroglou, Gekas, Ninis, Fetfatzidis, Sifakis.
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