FULL-TIME: Probably 1-1 is the perfect result for a match which saw both teams have an equal number of chances to win the game. It was a game where the substitutes turned into heroes as Tyton saved a penalty after Salpingidis had equalised for Greece. Of course the Greeks will feel the pain more after that golden penalty chance to win the match, but that is how football is. And if we are to go by this opening match at Euro 2012, then one can only imagine what is to come.
PENALTY MISS! Greece were given an unthinkable opportunity to take the lead and cap a remarkable turnaround after Polish goalkeeper Szczesny was sent off for a foul in the box. But Giorgos Karagounis, who has had a fantastic game so far has struck a weak penalty which substitute keeper Przemyslaw Tyton has beaten away to keep the home team in the match. Stunning!
10.50 pm: Poland’s attacks have fizzled out compared to the first half. Greece do not look like they are playing with 10-men. Samaras had a half chance to score for them, but the Celtic striker could not get his shot on target. But it is Karagounis who is running the show for the Greeks.
GOAL!! POLAND 1-1 GREECE Salpingidis has scored for Greece! Comical defending from Poland as a Greek cross is not cleared well enough. The ball is bobbing in no man’s land before the substitute runs to hammer the ball into the net for 1-1.
The game is up and running again in Warsaw.
Greece's thrilling draw against Poland is just the beginning of a tournament that promises much more. AFP
10.15 pm: Perquis had a great chance to double Poland’s lead as a free-kick clearance falls to him, but he has driven his shot wide. Poland go into the dressing room leading the game by 1-0. It is a marginal lead and they would like to convert their chances more often and put this one to bed. With Greece a goal down and a man down, that should be easy.
RED CARD! Papaststhopoulos is sent off for a second bookable offence
Off Twitter, @kunjal23 reminds us: Greece has played 8 matches in Poland, but have never won.
10.00 pm: Poland have looked very comfortable since the opening goal, but Greece have looked for the odd risky pass which could see them create a goal scoring opportunity. 30 minutes have gone in Warsaw as close to 60,000 people cheer on their team— mostly Poland.
GOAL!! POLAND 1-0 GREECE Robert Lewandowski, who has had a tremendous season with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundeslige has headed in a thumping goal after a cross from the right from skipper Jakub Blaszczykowski.
9.45 pm: Do participate in our live updates via Twitter. Tweet to either @Firstpostsports or @JournoPula
9.40 pm: The first two chances have come for Poland as a low cross is first set-up by Lewandowski but the shot is blocked. Polanski then takes a shot from outside the box which is tipped away by Chalkias.
POLAND: Szczesny, Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch, Murawski, Polanski, Blaszczykowski, Obraniak, Rybus, Lewandowski.
GREECE: Chalkias, Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Avraam Papadopoulos, Holebas, Maniatis, Katsouranis, Karagounis, Ninis, Gekas, Samaras.
9.30 pm: Kick-off!
9.25 pm: The national anthems have been sung and the coin tossed. Now for the players to finally touch the ball.
9.20 pm: Michel Platini claps as the final formation creates the UEFA Euro 2012 shape… this is it… the football extravaganza is 10 minutes from kick-off.
9.10 pm: The pitch has been covered in a lovely cyan colour, with colourful maidens traipsing to form various shapes. Colours in the audience represent the 16 flags of the participating nations.
9.00 pm: The Euro 2012 is finally here! The players are warming up on the pitch at Warsaw, which is quickly filling up with the expected 55,000 fans who will witness the opening ceremony before kick-off.
8.50 pm: If Poland win this one today, it will give them a massive boost ahead of the rest of the tournament. Remember, the co-hosts are the lowest ranked nation in Euro 2012.
Polish fans gear up for the opening match. AFP
8.40 pm: Skipper of Poland Jakub Błaszczykowski said yesterday that their team need to show ‘what’s in their shorts’.
Poland defender Damien Perquis remains a doubt because of an injury and it will be touch-and-go right before manager Franciszek Smuda makes a decision on him.
8.35 pm: Creative midfielder Sotiris Ninis, on whom Manchester United had an eye last summer did not play Greece’s last warm-up match but hopes are up that he will be ready to play today.
