Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the opening ceremony of Euro 2012.
The co-hosts Poland and Ukraine are competing at the European Championships for the first time, and they will have the home support as they bid to reach the latter stages.
We will also be bringing you live coverage from the opening encounter between Poland and Greece in Warsaw as the tournament officially gets underway.
Reigning European and world champions Spain could become the first team to win three international tournaments in a row if they secure the trophy on July 1.
Meanwhile, we begin our action in Group A, where Poland, Greece, Russia and the Czech Republic will hope to occupy one of the top two qualifying positions.
Note that kickoff is at 5pm.
19.00Phew! Grab your breath! Thanks for joining Sports Mole and be sure to stay with us for the commentary of Russia vs. Czech Republic.
18.52So there we have it. Honours are even in the opening match of Euro 2012. Lewandowski handed Poland the lead in the first period, before Papastathopoulos was dismissed for Greece before the break. The Greeks equalised after 51 minutes courtesy of Salpigidis, but they missed a penalty through Karagounis after Szczesny had been dismissed for a foul on Salpigidis inside the box. Poland certainly had the better of the first period, but Greece arguably might have won it late on with a chance courtesy of Samaras.
FULL-TIMEPoland 1-1 Greece
90+2 minIt comes to nothing. Play is restarted with a Greek goal-kick.
90+1 minA fantastic ball from Piszczek is just turned behind by the Greek defence. However, Poland have a corner.
90 minWe will have an additional three minutes of added time.
89 minSo nearly from Karagounis as he searches out Salpigidis. However, the ball is collected by the Polish stopper.
87 minWe have little under five minutes remaining in this opening match. Is there time for someone to make themselves a hero?
85 minFirst sight of Lewandowski in the second period as he strikes from inside the box. However, it smashes the side netting.
85 minKaragounis tries to make amends for the missed penalty as he fires from distance. However, it was always drifting wide.
83 minMeanwhile, Obraniak searched out Lewandowski in the box. But again the cross is too long.
81 minFollowing Szczesny's dismissal. He will miss Poland's game against Russia.
81 minIt's not great from Samaras as he fires the ball over the bar from outside the box.
80 minNo signs of either side settling for a draw.
79 minChance for Poland as Obraniak advances into the box. However, he just loses his feet at the important moment. Goal-kick Greece.
77 minThis game just shows how quickly football can change. Poland just have not turned up in this second period.
75 minGreece really fancy this as the half advances. Will we have a winner? What drama in the opening game of Euro 2012.
73 minWow. Let's have a second to catch our breath! But we can't. Salpigidis has just had a goal disallowed for offside.
71 minTyton pushes Karagounis's penalty to safety! Wonderful save. We remain at 1-1.
70 minPenalty saved!
70 minMeanwhile, Rybus is replaced by goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton.
70 minIt's poor from Szczesny as he brings down Salpigidis in the box. Both sides are now down to 10.
68 minRed card and penalty! Szczesny has been dismissed for Poland for a challenge on Salpigidis in the penalty area.
68 minThird change for Greece as Kostas Fortounis is introduced in place of Gekas.
67 minChance for Poland as Rafai Murawski finds Rybus in the box. However, his header is high of the bar.
65 minWe haven't seen much from Lewandowski in this second period. With Obraniak emerging as the Pole's biggest threat.
64 minChance! Brilliant opportunity for Samaras to put Greece ahead. However, he fires wide when he might have done better. Warning signs for Poland.
62 minThe match has just gone ever so quiet in recent moments. Both sides are enjoying possession, but with no real threat.
62 minJust a reminder. We will also have live commentary of tonight's Group A match between Russia and the Czech Republic.
60 minHere's an interesting stat for you via Opta Sports on Twitter: "Only one team has ever come from behind to avoid defeat after having a man sent off at Euros: Yugoslavia v Slovenia in 2000."
60 minPoland remain in control of possession. However, the Greek goal has certainly hit them for six. It's a real test for both teams.
58 minChance for Poland in an advanced position as Torosidis brings down Obraniak. However, the the latter's effort just drifts wide.
56 minGreece have given themselves something to fight for in this match. However, Poland still look a threat through Lewandowski.
54 minThat is how quickly football can change. It just came from nowhere.
52 minWhere did that come from? It's a horrible mistake from Szczesny as he comes and misses a Vassilis Torossidis cross - allowing Salpigidis to slot home from close range.
51 minGOAL! Poland 1-1 Greece (Salpigidis)
50 minIt's nice hold-up play from Gekas. However, his strike partner Samaras just simply has not got in this game.
48 minAnother chance for Lewandowski as he advances on goal. However, his effort is just high of the bar.
46 minAs expected, Poland begin on the attack deep inside the Greek half.
46 minSecond change for Greece as Dimitris Salpingis replaces Ninis. Here we go then. The second period is underway.
17.59From a selfish point of view. I am glad I won't have to type the name of Papastathopoulos in the second period. I shouldn't say that should I?
17.56A word from Alan Hansen on the opening half: "Everything good about the game has come from Poland. I don't think it would be harsh to call the [Greece] back four useless. The only surprise is that Poland are only 1-0 up. As for the sending off, the second [yellow card] is a bad decision but the first one is crazy."
17.48So there we have it. Poland enter the break with a 1-0 lead over Greece in the opening match of Euro 2012. It was the dangerous Lewandowski who opened the scoring with a header after 17 minutes. In truth, the Greeks have offered very little and they will have to play the second period with 10 men following Papastathopoulos's dismissal.
HALF-TIMEPoland 1-0 Greece
45min+2Greece have certainly got some thinking to do at the break. Cards all over the place as Greece are denied a penalty on the stroke of the interval.
45 minWe will play three additional minutes.
45 minRed card! Greece are down to 10 men as Sokratis Papastathopoulos is dismissed for a second yellow. It was a nothing challenge on Rafal Murawski.
44 minThere's been a real confidence and swagger to Poland in this opening half. Meanwhile, Samaras shows a bit of desire for Greece as he charges down a loose ball.
42 minAnother break from Poland as Blaszczykowski travels down the right. However, the danger is cleared.
42 minMore from Danny Mills: "The Greeks have been unimaginative when they pass the ball around. And their so-called strong defence? We haven't seen a lot of it."
42 minInside the last five minutes of the opening half. Poland have certainly been the better side.
40 minGreece force their first corner of the match. However, it's another thumping header away from Wasilewski.
38 minMeanwhile, glorious chance for Poland to make it two but Damien Perquis just fired wide in the box.
36 minFirst change of the tournament as Avraam Papadopoulos is replaced by Kyriakos Papadopoulos for Greece.
36 minGreek skipper Karagounis has cut a frustrated figure in this opening half. Can he drive his team on?
34 minIt's a bit better from Greece as Samaras and Gekas combine. However, Marcin Wasilewski clears the danger.
32 minWe haven't seen a great deal for Greek duo Giannis Maniatis and Kostas Katsouranis in midfield. Such a lack of invention.
32 minGreece topped their group in qualifying. However, they have not offered anything thus far.
30 minHowever, Ninis's cross is cleared by Damien Perquis.
28 minReally good position for Greece as Ninis buys a free-kick right on the edge of the Poland box.
28 minIt's a wonderful cross from Ludovic Obrankiak. However, his effort is cleared by the Greek defence.
26 minPlenty of grappling in the Greek box as Poland take the corner. Will referees be clamping down on that in Euro 2012?
26 minGreece have got plenty of experience in their side. However, it is the youngster Ninis who is arguably their biggest threat.
24 minGreece continue to look ever so shaky in defence. However, they now have the ball in the Polish half.
24 minI think many people have written off Poland in this tournament. I am not suggesting that they can win it - but they look a good side.
22 minA word from former England defender Danny Mills on the BBC: "That's been on the cards. It was a fantastic cross in from the right, floated in, and Robert Lewandowski just had to nod it in. The Greek defence, who have been solid so far, were all over the place. When it went in, as expected, the roof almost came off."
20 minIt was Blaszczykowski who provided the assist for the goal. It was just a fantastic cross.
20 minJust the pefect start from Poland. They have looked a real threat in the early stages.
18 minWhat was I saying? Terrible goalkeeping from Greek stopper Kostas Chalkias as Lewandowski ghosts in to head home in the box.
17 minGOAL! Poland 1-0 Greece (Lewandowski)
16 minLewandowski looks a real threat in the early stages. Terrible defending from Greece presents the chance to the 23-year-old. However, he can only fire wide on the turn.
16 minIt's all been a bit samey from Greece thus far. Long ball after long ball which has been collected by the Polish defence.
14 minChance! Wonderful opportunity for Poland as Blaszczykowski searches out Lewandowski in the area, but he just cannot connect with a header.
12 minPoland advanced straight down the other end, but Blaszczykowski's effort was wide of the post.
12 minChance! First real opening for Greece as Giorgos Karagounis finds Gekas in the box, but his header drifted wide.
10 minThere's been some nice hold-up play by Lewandowski in the early stages. But he has yet to gain any real support around him.
10 minNice possession play from Greece as the half approaches its 10 minute mark. However, Poland look the greater threat going forward.
08 minMany people's eyes will be on Polish striker Lewandowski this evening. The Dortmund man has today been linked with a move to Manchester United.
06 minAnother chance for Gekas to make an early impact in this match. However, he was ruled offside.
06 minFirst strike of the match for Poland as Maciej Rybus fires from distance. But it was always drifting wide of the post. Good early start from the hosts.
04 minFirst opporunity for Greece to put the ball in the Poland box. However, Giannis Maniatis's delivery was poor.
02 minIt's been the Greeks with the early threat as Samaras looked for Theofanis Gekas with a header. However, the ball was cleared.
01 minHere we go then. It all comes down to this moment. Euro 2012 is officially underway.
4.59Meanwhile, Celtic fans will have a keen eye on Greek striker Samaras.
4.59One last final check on the teams. The English interest from Poland comes in the form of Arsenal goalkeeper Szczesny.
4.57We now have the Polish anthem. And the players are in fine voice.
4.55What will the managers have said to their players in the changing room? Go and make yourself a hero. It's the biggest of stages. And the Greek national anthem is underway.
4.53Both sets of players are emerging onto the pitch. Here we go!
4.52A word from former England defender Lee Dixon on the BBC: "I think Germany will win it. They have got the perfect mix of experience and youth. They have experience in Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski. Everyone is talking about the fact that they'll be down after [Bayern Munich's] Champions League defeat, but this is Germany we're talking about and they will be very focused."
4.50Poland's big day has arrived. We are just 10 minutes from kickoff.
4.50Wonderful atmosphere on the opening day of Euro 2012. It's what football should be about. However, I'm not too sure about the dancing mushrooms.
4.48A tribute to the 16 nations taking part is shown by the crowd. A nice touch that.
4.48The DJ in the gold shirt has now departed. What on earth will we have next?
4.46We now have a scene straight from Ibiza. Each stadium is also represented by a small remake.
4.46We also have a Polish man on the piano. Couple that with dancing singing notes and we have ourselves a party.
4.44Fantastic scenes on the pitch as a series of dancers strut their stuff. Lots of interesting colours!
4.42Here we go then. The opening ceremony is underway.
4.40It would probably be fair to state that Poland are the favourites for this match. However, the Greek's remained unbeaten in qualifcation.
4.38Looking at England's chances. Former Scotland defender Alan Hansen believes that Rio Ferdinand should have been included: "Put it this way, if I was English and 30 years younger, I would want to play with Rio Ferdinand. The fact is he played a lot of games for Manchester United last season. If he's not in the [England] team then he should definitely be in the squad."
4.36Not too many Greek fans have made the grip to Poland by the looks of it. We are just 25 minutes from the start of the tournmanent.
4.34It is understood that the opening ceremony will last for 12 minutes. It will also feature 1000 people.
4.30A word from former Netherlands midfielder Clarence Seedorf on the BBC: "It's never a good moment when we have these type of issues [racism]. What should the players do? Ignore it. We should just tell them 'you are not affecting me' otherwise they will do it more. It's a minority."
4.28A word from former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage on the BBC: "There will be no surprises. I expect Holland, Germany, France and Spain do well, and I'm picking the Dutch. But today I'm looking forward to watching Robert Lewandowski. What an exciting player."
4.26Looking at the teams for a moment. Damien Perquis has recovered for Poland. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski is their lone striker. Greece full-back Vassilis Torossidis also starts along with midfielder Sotiris Ninis.
4.24Let's bring you some Twitter reaction: Former England striker Gary Lineker: "Poland v Greece and Robert Lewandowski trending. Just need Sokratis Papastathopoulos to trend and we'll know it's started. Euro 2012."
4.22Meanwhile, Polish skipper Blaszczykowski believes that his nation can cause an upset in the tournament. He told reporters: "I believe that with a lot of luck, we can cause some havoc during the tournament. It all depends on how we play in the group stage. Success at that stage will give us a lot of self-belief and it will enable us to go further."
4.22The players are out on the Warsaw pitch going through their paces. We are merely 40 minutes away from the start.
4.20Team news: Greece: Chalkias; Torosidis, Papadopoulos, Papastathopoulos, Holebas; Maniatis, Katsouranis, Karagounis; Ninis, Gekas, Samaras.
4.20Team news: Poland: Szczesny; Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch; Blaszczykowski, Polanski, Murawski, Rybus; Obraniak; Lewandowski.
4.18Greece also boast Celtic striker Giorgos Samaras in their camp. And the Celtic forward has vowed to take the country's minds off political matters. He told reporters: "I do not know how far we will go and what we can do but with our joy of playing football we want to give joy to Greeks."
4.18The star man for the Greeks could be Olympiakos forward Ioannis Fetfatzidis. The 21-year-old has been dubbed as the 'Greek Messi'.
4.16Greece qualified for Euro 2012 by topping group F, and they remained unbeaten throughout their qualification campaign.
4.16Poland have faced Greece on 15 occasions, with the former winning 10 and losing just three times.
4.14Meanwhile, Greece also had the added boost of boasting a full bill of health going into the tournament which they won eight years ago.
4.14Focusing on our opening match for a moment. Poland have no real injury concerns heading into the opener, and should name Borussia Dortmund trio Lukasz Piszczek, Jakob Blaszczykowski and Robert Lewandowski in their first XI.
4.14France and Spain are the only other two teams who have won the competition more than once, with two titles each.
4.12Germany are the most successful team in the history of the tournament. They have won it three times with their most recent victory in 1996.
4.12The final will take place in Kiev on July 1, where the winner of Euro 2012 will be crowned.
4.10The second semi-final will take place on June 28 - when the winner of quarter-final two will face the winner of quarter-final four.
4.10Meanwhile, the winner of quarter-final one will face the winner of quarter-final three in the first semi-final on June 27.
4.08The quarter-final draw will be completed by the winner of Group D and the runner-up in Group C.
4.08The winner of Group B will face the runner-up in Group A on June 22. Meanwhile, the winner of Group C will face the runner-up in Group D on June 23.
4.06The top two teams from each group will advance to the latter stages. The winner of Group A will face the runner-up in Group B on June 21.
4.04A bit of background on how the tournament will unfold. The group stages will run from June 8 until June 19.
4.02Let's take a closer look at the groups:
Group A: Poland, Greece, Russia, Czech Republic.
Group B: Holland, Denmark, Germany, Portugal.
Group C: Spain, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Croatia.
Group D: France, England, Ukraine, Sweden.
4.00Here we go then. Ever since the end of the domestic season, football fans have waiting for this moment. And we have the tools for one of the most enthralling tournaments in recent memory.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
