Poland Vs. Greece: Watch Live Stream Online Of Euro 2012 Opening Match; Prediction, Probable Lineups, Preview

When and where: The European Championships get underway at 12 p.m. ET. Coverage of the game will be on ESPN, with a live stream available on ESPN3.

Preview: The opening game of any major tournament is always met with mouthwatering anticipation. And, while Poland against Greece may not immediately catch the eye, it promises to be an electric occasion as the co-hosts get the event underway at the National Stadium in Warsaw.

Group A has rather derogatorily been referred to as the group of life by many, but the relative lack of strength means that these two sides, along with Russia and the Czech Republic, will all feel that they have a great chance to make the quarter-finals.

For Poland and Greece that makes a good result in their opening game paramount. After initial trepidation at the prospects of the team, there is now increasing optimism in Poland that their team can do more than merely avoid embarrassment.

While much of that belief is based on the draw, there is also confidence in the trio of players who have a key part of the recent success at Borussia Dortmund. Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski form a good partnership down the right-hand side and Robert Lewandowski has emerged as a reliable goalscorer in attack. That the three arrive at the tournament on the back of claiming a league and cup double in Germany can only help their confidence.

The Poles have also found a goalkeeper with the potential to be among the world's best in Arsenal's 22-year-old Wojciech Szczesny.

Any Greece team that goes to a major tournament now faces constant comparisons with the side that shocked Europe to win Euro 2004. And this time around is no different. For the first time since then, though, Greece will not be led out by the mastermind of their most famous victory, Otto Rehhagel.

The man who has stepped into the German's rather large boots is experienced coach Fernando Santos. The Portuguese has tried to branch out from the defensive tactics synonymous with his predecessor, but don't expect the Greeks to suddenly morph into a free-flowing attacking side this summer.

The linchpins of the midfield remain two of the mainstays of the 2004 side; anchorman Kostas Katsouranis and playmaker Giorgos Karagounis. Any excitement from the Greek side may well come from two players who are likely to begin on the bench; Sotiris Ninis and Giannis Fetfatzidis.

Poland (probable, 4-2-3-1)

G: Szczesny

D: Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch

M: Murawski, Polanski

Blaszczykowski, Obraniak, Rybus

F: Lewandowski

Greece (probable, 4-3-3)

G: Karnezis

D: Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Papadopoulos, Holebas

M: Katsouranis, Maniatis, Karagounis

F: Salpingidis, Gekas, Samaras

Prediction: There may be fireworks during the opening ceremony, but don't expect too many on the pitch in the opening encounter. Playing what is essentially an away match, Greece will be happy to sit back and take what they can get from set-pieces. There are bound to be some early nerves from Poland and both sides may ultimately have to settle for a point a piece.

Poland 1-1 Greece