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Poland 1-1 Russia (FT)
Hello, and welcome to our second Euro 2012 liveblog of the day.
It’s likely to be an intriguing and highly tense affair, especially in light of what transpired earlier on.
Here are your teams:
Poland: Tyton, Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch, Dudka, Polanski, Blaszczykowski, Murawski, Obraniak, Lewandowski. Subs: Sandomierski, Wojtkowiak, Kaminski, Matuszczyk, Rybus, Wawrzyniak, Sobiech, Mierzejewski, Wolski, Grosicki, Brozek.
Russia: Malafeev, Aniukov, Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Shirokov, Denisov, Zyryanov, Dzagoev, Kerzhakov, Arshavin. Subs: Akinfeev, Sharonov, Izmailov, Pavlyuchenko, Kombarov, Kokorin, Granat, Pogrebnyak, Nababkin, Glushakov, Semshov, Shunin.
Of course, there’s already been one game in Group A this evening. You can check out how it transpired here.
The Russian anthem has been getting some serious love on Twitter:
Russia have started the better of the two teams, enjoying the majority of the possession, and their dominance draws widespread booing from the largely Polish crowd.
They’ve yet to really carve out a clear-cut opening though.
A dangerous inswinging free-kick is met by the head of Boenisch, who forces a reaction save Malafeev.
Not sure how much the Russian stopper knew about that – it seemed to be an instinctive save more than anything.
While Russia started impressively, they look susceptible to being caught on the counter-attack, as their opponents have threatened on at least two or three occasions now.
Despite many people suggesting Russia were the most impressive team of all in the aftermath of the opening round, they don’t exactly look defensively sound at the moment.
Russia are obviously the technically superior side. Their have shown impressive composure and patience on the ball so far, which is not dissimilar to the Spanish style of play.
Though like Spain on occasion against Italy, they also occasionally seem guilty of playing one too many passes, when a more direct approach is necessary.
Despite their lack of chances however, Russia will be happy that they’ve controlled this game for the most part.
Some slick passing by the Polish ends with Polanski being played through.
He confidently slots the ball into the net, but is correctly adjudged to be offside, as the replays prove.
It’s a fascinating contest so far, as Poland continually to look threatening in the final third. Though their more direct approach is less easier on the eye, it is arguably proving to be more effective to the Russians’ stylish but all-too-languid build-up.
However, as I type, Arshavin shows decent skill to evade his marker and produce a pinpoint cross for Kerzhakov, who heads it marginally wide.
Kerzhakov goes on an impressive run, beating two Polish defenders, before blazing the ball well over the bar from just outside the area, consequently epitomising the absence of a cutting edge from the Russian attack so far.
“A moment of genius,” says the hyperbole-prone George Hamilton.
In truth it was a rather straightforward goal, with a dangeous free-kick finding Dzagoev, who heads it just over the keeper and into the net from close range.
It’s ironic, given the elaborate build-up of most of Russia’s attacks, that they’ve ultimately scored in the simplest of circumstances.
Poland are in danger of completely losing control of this game, with a desperate last-ditch clearance from a cross preventing the waiting Kerzhakov from adding to Russia’s lead, with what would have been an easy tap-in.
Poland are beginning to look seriously vulnerable, as Russia break with speed and renewed confidence following that all-important opening goal.
A lofted cross is hit towards Dzagoev, and the goalscorer is seemingly impeded by an onrushing defender. However, the referee contentiously awards the decision in the defender’s favour, giving Poland a free kick.
So at half-time Russia lead, and it’s probably just about deserved on the balance on play.
Though Poland initially appeared to be the more incisive of the two sides in attack, Russia always showed superior technique and their dominance in possession gradually wore the Poles down.
The fact that the co-hosts have some impressive players in attack means they are capable of creating chances and renders it difficult to rule them out of this game, but Russia are undoubtedly in pole position.
The longer the game goes on, the more tired Poland are likely to become, given how hard they had to work to win the ball in that first half.
You may have noticed that there’s a player by the name of Eugen Polanski on the Poland team. I wonder if he’s any relation to the maker of the classic film below, amongst many others:
YouTube credit: jacknicholsonbr
Chance for Poland immediately. Lewandowski rounds Malafeev, but drags it too far wide, and the keeper recovers in time to parry the ball out for a corner.
Shirokov finds himself deep in Polish territory, but he can’t find Dzagoev, who looked set to add to his tally if the cross had been more accurate.
Down the other end, brave goalkeeping from Malafeev enables him to get the ball and clear it just ahead of Lewandowski.
The breakneck pace of the first half has continued, and Poland hardly look as deflated as they did at the end of the opening period, following that Russian goal.
Has Blaszczykowski just scored the goal of the tournament?
After Arshavin carelessly concedes possession and walks away in disgust down one end, Poland break quickly and a through ball is played to Blaszczykowski, who only takes one touch before blasting an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net. Game on!
All credit to Poland, who have shown great character to get back into this game, after appearing to be on the verge of a total collapse at the end of that first half.
On a sidenote, the goal was a perfect illustration of the infuriating nature of Arshavin. He did brilliantly to accelerate away from his marker, before playing a poor pass, which allowed Poland to launch the counter-attack from which they scored.
Moreover, his reluctance to chase back served to highlight his weakness from a defensive viewpoint.
Meanwhile, Good interplay from Kerzhakov and Zyryanov, causes the latter to force the keeper into a diving save.
And down the other end, Malafeev’s feet prevent Polanski from scoring from a difficult angle.
Pavlyuchenko has replaced a visibly disappointed Kerzhakov, who shakes his head as he departs the field.
And for Poland, Mierzejewski comes on for Dudka.
Despite seemingly running themselves into the ground in that first half, it is now Poland who are looking the stronger side with fifteen minutes remaining, possibly buoyed by the extra adrenaline that the overwhelming home support is helping to provide.
Russia, in contrast, would probably take a point at this stage.
The goalscorer, Dzagoev, has come off for Izmailov, as Russia look to quell the increasingly prominent Polish attack.
Polanski limps off and is replaced by Matuszczyk.
If Poland don’t get a winner in these last few minutes, they’ll need to beat the Czechs in their final game.
The game is currently being played at close to walking pace, which is unsurprising, given the high tempo at which it’s been played for most of the 90 minutes.
Three minutes of added time to be played, as Zhirkov gets to the by-line, but there is a conspicuous lack of Russian bodies for him to pick out in the box.
One of my staple Championship Manager signings, Pawel Brozek, has just replaced Obraniak, who kicks a water bottle furiously as he leaves the field.
A game of two halves, as the cliché goes. Russia’s superior technical ability enabled them to gain a deserved lead in the first half, before Poland, with their passionate support behind them, came back strongly in the second half, and were ultimately slightly unlucky not to win it, given the amount of chances they had.
Both sides, however, will be relatively happy with the result. Russia now only need a draw to progress against Greece, who are ostensibly the weakest team in the group. While Poland will surely be confident of beating the Czechs, having seen them capitulate in the opening game against the Russians.
(Some Poland/Scream fans watch the action – AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)
Solid team that are able to a job, I’ll hear no more about it
@apuuu: ah but you will when Jim & Robb see what you have to say
@my name: J O R D A N L A R M O U R Is a weird way of spelling Mike Haley
@Cortiss: you’ve lost me there
@apuuu: ah, Doris’s injury and winning those first two games with CJ at 8 & POM at 6 wasn’t great in some ways in terms of us developing our game plan. Doris was selected at 8 for a reason on day 1 and that reason hasn’t changed so it’s ultra conservative by Farrell not to follow through and start him at 8.
@BMJF: Scotland and England are 2 vastly different teams though.
Would have swapped out the looseheads, think kilcoyne has the momentum and would provide an extra heavy carrier which I think we need along with his more dominant scrummaging. Strongest team possible though all the same. Think we’ve got our best pairing at centre irrespective of ringroses fitness. Can’t wait for it.
@Jim Demps: I think he’s better off the bench and plays a crucial role bring huge impact for the last 30, similar to the South African Bomb squad.
@Cortiss: nah, start your best players. Why would you have the better player on the bench for 55 mins? This better off the bench thing is nonsense, he’s better on the pitch playing for longer than sitting on the sidelines.
@Jim Demps: Healy hasn’t been great recently but Killer hasn’t been knocking the door down in all fairness, think Healys experience and form over last year gives him the nod
@Jim Demps : https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/nov/02/rassie-erasmus-the-brains-behind-south-africas-bomb-squad
Fierce good article attached here
@Jim Demps: I don’t see the logic in weakening your team for the last 20/30 when the game is in the balance. Everyone has their own take.
@Jim Demps: just read the Ringrose comment, been consistently a 8/10 and the magic we need, he’s first centre on team sheet. Yes Henshaw and Aki played well vs Wales but it has been shaky is recent times
@Cortiss: I’d disagree, a simple comparison between the two from the welsh game tells it’s own story. Aside from the fact that the only scrum penalty we’ve won in two games was killers, in 60 minutes Healy carried twice for 3m, attempted 6 tackles and missed one. In the 20 minutes that killer was on he carried twice for 5m and attempted 10 tackles and missed one. Considering the ruck stats weren’t glowing about Healy I’d say those numbers tell their own story re work rate.
@Cortiss: for Leinster maybe but I’d be struggling to think of the last time I saw that magic for ireland. Think henshaw gives us that directness we need and gets us over the gain line. Henshaw isnt as good a first centre as Aki, I’ve always said that, he’s a far far better 13 than he is a 12.
@Jim Demps: have to disagree on Ringrose. He is a adult our best centre when fit. Was one of the only players to come out of the World Cup with any credit. He’s a class act.
@Jim Demps: the thing is we see his magic every game, but everybody is used to it that it’s over looked now. Also I know Leinster is different to Ireland but 2 hatricks and many brilliant performances show his class
@Jim Demps: Comparing a starting prop against a prop who comes on for the last 20 minutes isn’t a fair comparison. No doubt Killer is playing well currently but to say he’s the better player is yet to be proven.
@Cortiss: I’m not as convinced as you seem to be. You’re going back nearly 2 years since he scored or assisted against a top tier country, and 2 years again for the time previous. Don’t get me wrong, he’s class and it’s great to see the impact he has for Leinster but Im not so sure he’s an automatic choice at 13. Henshaw brings more to the jersey as an all rounder, he’s a better defender and while he may be short of the magic as you put it of ringrose, he gets over the gainline and is a good distributor
@Rocky Raccoon: well yes I’d agree given that one is on the pitch for 3 times longer than the other but If the sub is surpassing the numbers of the starter given the time on pitch difference then I’d say there’s an issue.
@Jim Demps: Ringrose like most layers has been constrained by Joes tactics over the last couple of years. I seem to recall you not fancying Henshaw during the World Cup. Changing your tune?
@Kevin: not really, still don’t fancy him as a 12. I’ve always said that he could be a world class 13, massively over rated as a 12 though.
@Jim Demps: try scoring against top tier nations isn’t a major problem. He’s a smart player who creates tries for others, very unselfish too. Off to the top of my head I remember the unnecessary pass to Conway to make sure of the try and the lovely pass to stockdale vs Wales on the loop
@Jim Demps: fair enough. I’d tend to agree you you in so far as preferring him as a 13. I hope he goes well and lasts the game on Sunday!!!
@Cortiss: yup, I’m not arguing that he’s a bad player at all, just maybe not a guaranteed spot on the team. I haven’t done the numbers but I’d wonder if henshaw and Aki have played together more times than ringrose and henshaw?
@Jim Demps: So you wouldn’t factor fatigue and Wales being 12 points down in a low scoring game into your comparison?
@Jim Demps: I wouldn’t think so, but the Leinster partnership gives them an advantage I think
@Kevin: you think ringrose has been constrained by tactics? I don’t know what that makes henshaw when he’s literally been shoved into 12 to be used in the Jamie Roberts role even though he’s always been a 13/15
@Cortiss: may be an unpopular opinion but I believe having your best 12 at 12 really gives either partnership Aki is a part of an advantage, the better 13 can be selected between the two others for each matchup then
@Cortiss: I’d say it might be a lot closer than you think. Henshaw has only played forty odd times for Leinster and he’s got nearly 80 games for connacht
@Rocky Raccoon: do explain how fatigue affects the tackling and carrying numbers differently for the two.
@Jim Demps: Killer isn’t a better player.. but he does provide some ball carrying impact off the bench. More to the role that a few aggressive carries. Killer offers more off the bench as other said and he is strengths can be used best when other team is tiring a bit
@Jim Demps: I like the continuity. Killer is an unbelievable impact player but I accept there are other opinions.
The Litmus Test,
The Acid Test,
Into the Lion’s Den,
Judgement Day,
There Season Defining Game. HOOORGAN! RONAN O’GARA!! THIS IS O’DRISCOLL!!! TOMMY BOOOOOWWEEEEEEEEEEE
Would’ve like to see a 6-2 split on the bench to match England’s physicality bar that I’m happy, Cooney and earls could’ve covered the backs and then add deegan to the forwards for the last 20 mins. Just a suggestion but I think that would’ve been better than having Byrne who will get 5 mins max bar and injury
@Cortiss: that’s just silly, you would have cooney come on at 10 if jinny got injured? In Twickenham? Do you remember Tom mccourt?
@Con Henihan: yes I would if all came to all
@Con Henihan: Tom *Court – though I guess you have proved a point about how forgettable that afternoon was
@Cortiss: yeah that would have been a potential option – especially with Cooney able to kick
Best team available, fingers crossed they get the job. Should be a cracker.
You know things are going well due to the huge atmosphere change with This team being picked, if this was for the Scotland game there would be chaos. Pete and Stander proving there worth as with Henshaw and Murray. Bring on England on Sunday !
How Ronan Kelleher doesn’t start ahead of Herring is beyond me
@@: Kelleher unfortunate with Hand injury, and Herring hasn’t done anything wrong to lose that 2 Jersey
@Cortiss: hasnt done anything wrong is such a lame excuse for justifying selection. Start the better player. Killer, kelleher and Doris should all be starting.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Doris over Pete not a hope, Kelleher hasn’t been shooting the starts out recently
@Cortiss: not a hope? Because he wasnt poor against Wales he deserves it over Doris who has played better all year?
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: cooney should be starting also btw. Most in form scrum half in europe.
@@: he’s been injured recently and Herring has been doing very well in there. Not sure how that is beyond you
@Andrew Taz Donohoe: played last week for ster. Been class all year. Brings more to the table than herring. Easy decision really.
@Cortiss: Kelleher is only back from injury so he hasn’t had to much of a chance to ‘shoot the stars out’ recently. He played very well for Leinster last week. Herring has been fine. Kelleher will get his chance.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: hard to disagree with any of your selection calls there, bar Kilcoyne. Think he is being overrated a bit and Healy is still out in front. Can understand not wanting to change things in Twickenham, but that back row has not worked vs real opposition. Think it will be the same on Sunday.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Kelleher is very one-dimensional with his running, offers very little else, and not as good a LO thrower as Herring. No surprise and correct call that he’s benched.
@Cortiss: the debacle that was Japan RWC was partly caused by the ‘he hasn’t done anything’ to be dropped approach. You don’t improve as a team by saying if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Kelleher offers something a little bit special in my view, as does Doris and to beat England I think we needed their youthful exuberance, dynamism and ball handling skills. That said they’ll probably come on off the bench together with 20mins to go
@Andrew Taz Donohoe: he played for Leinster at weekend and looked fired up …But look it he’ll be on for 20mins anyway
@Carmine Lorenzo: I agree. We needed something different .. a ball playing, passing, off loading, running back row needed to beat the power game of England. Wales showed last year how to beat them and it’s a combination of physicality and the ability of forwards with ball in hand
Never understood why Henderson always gets in
@Jerry Mahony: Agreed but I suppose Toner has gotten old , Beirne should be starting but he’s currently injured & Dillane has to improve on the nuts and bolts of a second row.
@Jerry Mahony: very harsh on one of our most reliable players. Brings great dynamism and has a great radar for a second row. And who else would replace him?
@Jerry Mahony:
Because he is the best player in his position. Isn’t that the reason any player should be picked?
@Jerry Mahony: I wouldn’t be his greatest fan either but he is currently our best option. When he’s on top form he’s excellent but can be pretty average imo.
Win or lose I would expect changes for the Italy game. If those who get their chance then shoot the lights out they’ll be retained for France otherwise back pretty much to Sunday’s 15
@TL55: He always seems to struggle against top strong packs
@Jerry Mahony: who are you picking ahead of him?
@TL55: players getting a chance v Italy won’t get play V France I don’t think. If we beat England which we’re not tipped to do then we need to make sure of it against Italy and play most of our first 15 and most of our first 23
@Jerry Mahony: I’d agree in that he sremd to be offering none of the forward momentum we need from a lock but he’s our only realistic option for now. Neither Toner nor Dillane tick as many boxes even though they’re better in some areas.
@Philip Stewart: personally think the options aren’t great but dillane deserves a shot
Worried about that back row, which has been proven to not work against proper opposition. It’s hard to justify changing a winning side but we’ve played two very poor teams so far. Not sure how to call this one.
@Carmine Lorenzo: It worked against the world cup semi-finalists Wales. You have a high bar on proper opposition. England away is tough, we’re not favourites but I reckon based on the two previous selections and results this is the right team.
Our best 23 overall to be fair but there’s certainly a few guys like Doris (for POM) , Kilcoyne , Cooney and arguably Earls (for Stockdale) who deserve to start but will hopefully have key roles.
@John Carey: Even as a Munster Earls is fortunate to be in 23 on form, when Addison recovers I think the 23 jersey is his
@Cortiss: Earls is a legend. Still a brilliant exciting clever player.
Can’t wait for the match, especially seeing as I’ll be there!!!!
@Cortiss:
Addison is of course an unknown quantity at this level, but he is the fastest player in the squad and competently covers centre, full back and wing.
Stockdale certainly hasn’t been firing on all cylinders, but we know he is a game breaker, and hopefully he will show it again on Sunday.
@MrMagoo: agreed offers an unbelievable work ethic , diverse skill set and footwork with loads of experience.
Addison is extremely talented but injury prone and Stockdale isn’t the game breaker he can be the last 13 months and hasn’t added anything to his game.
@Cortiss: fortunate? Ah cmon he should be starting ahead of stockdale. He always performs for Ireland
@MrMagoo: hopefully no injuries and we can make our substitutions based on tactics rather than forced
@Jim Lynch: Stockdale has scored 16 tries in 27 games at an average of 0.67 tries per game. The next highest average is Denis Hickey with 29 tries from 62 games at 0.47. Earls has 30 tries from 83 appearances at a 0.37 average. Stockdale’s aerial game and defence have improved dramatically. Only a fool would drop our most consistent try scorer ever.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: Gotta point out Earls played at centre for 18 months
@Sustainable Hedgehog: with Stockdale on the left the ball naturally makes it to him a lot more than Earls on the right
@Sustainable Hedgehog: fairly good there with the calculator lad. You’ve got to contest in the air to have a chance at being good. Not saying he’s a bad player by any means he’s very very good, I’d just like to see him on the ball more and go look for the ball more which he hasn’t done much of this season. Wether that’s a tactical thing by his coaches I don’t know but I’d rather earls in there against England
I don’t agree with the platitude that you never change a winning side, but it’s probably justified in this case.
There can be few complaints about the selection after the last performance.
Sunday is a bigger challenge, and hopefully they will measure up. If not, then the door should be open for changes against France, and not just the run out against Italy.
@Brian McAll: it wont though. The changes will come against Italy as they are annually. Then when we fail at the next world cup again people will ask why. Endless cycle of stubbornness and stupidity. Also if u dont like it block me Munster fans. Dont care.
Still no place in the 23 for Heffernan or Dillane. Bad mistake. Even with the brothers missing it’s England to win by 20 plus.
@Ray Ridge: definitely stay off the sause please
@Ray Ridge: As a Connacht Supporter , I couldn’t agree Dillane should be in the frame … Yes granted after a very challenging year in 2018/19 due to injury he coming back to his best this season ….and that’s great for Connacht but it’s hard to argue he is ahead of Ryan , Henderson , Toner …. or that he should be on the bench
But in there a strong case for Dave Heffernan to be 23 man match day squad. He is having an outstanding season for Connacht as 1st choice Hooker … and he had a huge role in the Demolition of Cardiff at Sportsground last Saturday..
Given Kelleher’s recent injury woes and lack of game time ….it seems with Heffernan’s recent match form he has done enough to be in the reckoning ….
@XvSv: Not saying he should be ahead of Ryan or Henderson but definitely ahead of Toner. He had more aggressive carries in the first 30 minutes against Cardiff than Toner has in the whole of his career. Being 7’10 and able to win an odd lineout doesn’t cut it at top class international rugby as a second row anymore.
Good stuff! Will be a very tough match to win. Looking forward to it
It could be a good Day for Doris
Henshaw and Herring are nice beefy upgrades on Ringrose and Best but I still think England will run over the top of us and probably pick off our lineout. VDF and POM will be blown away as per. Doris at 8 or Ruddock at 6 would be much better options given the task at hand I think.
I would have introduced Earls (for Conway), Doris (for P O’M) and Toner (for Henderson) into the starting 15 and JackMcGrath (instead of Killer) on the bench. Ulster front 3 “murdered” Munster in the Pro14 game.
However, was do I know!
Come on Ireland!
@Connachtabu: whatever about Doris for o Mahony….. Can’t see any argument for Earls, Toner or mcgrath. Mcgrath OK at scrum time but nowhere near mobile enough around the park. Not fit enough.
@Connachtabu: its a bit early to be on the drink
@Mark walsh: Amadan
@Ray Ridge: Lets wait and see. happy to eat my words!
I agree with several of the comments posted above and am afraid for our backrow against England. Than said hopefully VDF can up his game to the same level as CJ and POM if he can it will be a surprise, in a more serious note this is the game for James Ryan to prove he is actually world class, he is very good but he needs to dominate this area to get in to that bracket , hopefully we will be talking about him having Mario in his pocket all game and not the other way around….
There’s a confidence in this team. Huge job to do on Sunday.
waiting here boys…
link — 69chat.club
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