Euro 2012 opener ends even

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After a four year wait, Euro 2012 is finally here with us.

On Friday 8 June 2012, from 1900hrs, the tournament kicked off with a Group A tie at the National Stadium in Warsaw that saw Poland survive a dramatic game to settle for a 1-1 draw with Greece.

Un-cleared ball

Dortmund sharp shooter Robert Lewandowski got to the end of a cross from skipper Jakub on 17 minutes to nod in Poland with a bouncing header.

The lead lasted the length of the half. But just a minute to the break, Greece was reduced to ten men when central defender Papastathopoulos was handed a second yellow to get an ejection from the game.

Ten man Greece began the second half with zeal and six minutes in got the equalizer substitute Dimitris Salpaingidis slamming home an un-cleared ball.

To the left

Greece then had a chance to take the lead not long after their equalizer.

Scorer Dimitris was brought down by Arsenal keeper Sczczesny. The challenge earned the keeper his matching orders and Greece a penalty.

But substitute keeper Tyton dived the right way, to the left, to parry Greece skipper Giorgios Karagounis shot to keep the scores level all the way to the end of the game.  

Action will move to Group 

With the opener done with, action moves to the second game of the tournament that will see Russia take on the Czech Republic at the same National Stadium from 2245hrs.

On Saturday 9 June, action will move to Group B where Netherlands will face off with Denmark from 1900hrs at the Metalist Stadium before Germany faces off with Portugal at the Arena Lviv from 2245 hrs.