Greece Vs. Czech Republic: Watch Live Stream Online Of Euro 2012 Clash; Prediction, Probable Lineups, Preview
When and where: The Group A matchup kick-offs from the Stadion Miejski in Wroclaw, Poland at noon ET. Coverage will be provided by ESPN, with a live stream available on ESPN3.
Preview: Greece and Czech Republic go into their second game in Group A knowing that a defeat for either side would put their hopes of progressing in real jeopardy.
A scenario that is particularly true for the Czechs. After a hugely disappointing 4-1 defeat to Russia in their opening match, Michal Bilek's outfit will surely be looking to recover with haste in the knowledge that a win that would put them right back in the hunt to reach the last eight.
There was little encouragement for the Czechs to take from their listless performance against an admittedly impressive Russian side. Tomas Rosicky, upon whom so much of the team's creativity still rests, looking particularly out of sorts. Bilek must be hoping that after getting some game time under his belt, having only just recovered in time from an injury suffered in Arsenal's final league game, Rosicky will rediscover the form he showed late in the season for the Gunners.
But it wasn't only going forward where the Czechs had problems. Far too much space was allowed in midfield for the Russians to exploit, badly exposing an already-underwhelming defense.
For that reason, experienced holding midfielder Tomas Hubschman is likely to get the start having come on as a half-time substitute against Russia.
Greece will also likely be hoping for a positive impact in match two from their opening game half-time substitute. Trailing 1-0 at the break to Poland and being badly outplayed, Dimitris Salpingidis' introduction turned the game as he scored an equalizer and their won a penalty that Giorgos Karagounis spurned.
But, while Greece should be boosted by their second-half performance, particularly after harshly being reduced to 10 men, they will have to rearrange a backline missing both central defenders who began agaisnt the Poles.
Despite the injustice of Sokratis Papastathopoulos's sending off, he will still face a one-match suspension, while his partner, Avraam Papadopoulos will miss the rest of the tournament through injury.
Greece (probable, 4-3-3)
G: Chalkias
D: Torosidis, Katsouranis, K. Papadopoulos, Holebas
M: Makos, Maniatis, Karagounis
F: Fortounis, Salpingidis, Samaras
Czech Republic (probable, 4-2-3-1)
G: Cech
D: Selassie, Hubnik, Sivok, Kadlec
M; Hubschman, Jiracek
Plasil, Rosicky, Pilar
F: Baros
Prediction: With both coaches likely to have been lamenting their side's openness in match day one, expect a cautious approach to be the name of the game in Wroclaw. If Rosicky can find his form and Salpingidis can continue where he left off against Russia there could be some hope for goals. Especially if both sides continue to defend as poorly. But with the fear of losing potentially equally taking hold of both Greece and Czech Republic, we could be set for the first goalless draw of these European Championships.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.