So here we go with the second games for Group A which saw Czech Republic take on Greece in the early game. Whistle... goal! Restart... goal! before we had time to get comfy and the Czechs had carved open the indifferent Greek defence and opened up a two goal lead within six minutes. The first from Jiracek latching on to a through ball and just three minutes later Pilar bundled it in from a couple of yards out. Not for the first time in this tournament, the Greeks were in disarray and they were defending somewhat like Nick Rowland on FIFA12 :-) But they are nothing but dogged and before half time they had a goal disallowed for offside and they were showing signs of a come back. After the break they did come back and all thanks to a rare slip from Petr Cech as he mis-handled the ball on the edge of the box to gift an opportunity for Gekas to pull one back for Greece. I'm sure even the legendary David 'Calamity' James would have winced at that one!
Despite this keeper cock up, the Czechs did manage to hang on for victory and have given themselves a good chance of qualification whilst this leaves the Greeks in a state of desperation, they are a far cry from the team that one this tournament in 2004, has anyone got Angelos Charisteas' phone number? The Czechs have gotten stronger and will need a result against Poland to seal promotion. Cech, Czech, Cheque, Check one, two... it sounds just like a Diamond D rap!
And off to game number two... the host nation Poland took on dark horses, Russia in Warsaw. The home team looked to have a few chances early doors and were denied a Polanski goal for offside which was a real shame. It was an open game with chances at both ends and but it was that man again, Dzagoev who popped up to head home a Russian free kick and take them one ahead into half time. When it resumed the entertainment never let up and we were treated to what is without doubt the goal of the tournament so far as Blaszczykowski (what's that worth in a game of Scrabble?) weaved past a couple of defenders as he went Russian at the opposition's defence and slammed it in the corner of the net beyond the outstretched fingers of Malafeev... what a beauty! More chances came and went but it finished 1-1 leaving the group wide open for three of the four within Group A.
And so to the Footcall league... Oooh lots of threes! Dan Wilks strides up into the top ten whilst Andy Booth, Rob Smith, Dave (don't tell Les) Herbert and Aaron Sutcliffe all pick up vital red squares to move up the table. I should also give credit to Richard Caine for getting his first three, surely this day must on a par with City winning the Premiership? Mark Horner must be getting giddy with his 56th position and Nick (great team name, not quite so good team predictions) Simmonds goth is first three as too did Leanne Rennie, Andrew Green and Esther Eatwell. Me ol badders mate Dazzer Alldritt also picked up his first one of the campaign as he bursts through into 95th position!
The second game also brought a hatful of reds. Paul Firmston takes over the top spot with his 1-1 prediction. Stephen Read, Mark Pedler plus Alex and Alan "We are the Park Lane" Church scoop up critical points for position. Gary Thorp, Rick Wilkinson and our European connection Pavol Malenky pick up threes, well done Pavol I knew your patience would pay off. Joanna Mackenzie, Lee Albrecht, Ryan Smith and Eddie Bojtler (the younger) also collect red squares.
And so to the doubles of the day... Steve Goodwin races into second place, Nick Singleton, David (just where is Harry?) Hitch, Carl Fandango Andrews, Manoj Gupta, Shane Barden, David Blakeman and (Slip) Matt Clark all have back to back three pointers.
But it's Tim Jennings who has an amazing three in three and those 9 points have propelled him into 5th, let's see how he gets on with his prediction for the Denmark Portugal game.
Until the next time.
Dj
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