Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Euro 2012 Group A match between Russia and the Czech Republic in Wroclaw.
Poland and Greece opened up Group A with a 1-1 draw earlier this evening, and therefore both these teams will be keen to get immediate points on the board.
Russia enter this particular match unbeaten in their last 14 games – conceding just four goals in that period.
Meanwhile, the Czech Republic qualified for Euro 2012 by edging out Scotland to finish second in Group I and they will be looking to spring a surprise.
Note that kickoff is at 7.45pm.
21.55Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the opening day of fixtures. Join us tomorrow for more captivating action!
21.52Tomorrow we focus on the so-called 'group of death' with the Netherlands facing Denmark and Germany facing Portugal in Group B - and we will have live commentaries of both.
21.49Arshavin was perhaps the star performer for Russia. However, Dzagoev showed us exactly why the likes of Real Madrid are reportedly courting his services.
21.46However, it was Russia who were the big movers with a wonderful 4-1 win over the Czech Republic. It was four, but it could have been an awful lot more.
21.43Well then, we can finally catch our breath after day one. Poland and Greece opened the tournament with an enthralling 1-1 draw.
21.37So there we have it. Russia top Group A with three points following an impressive 4-1 victory over the Czech Republic on the opening day of Euro 2012. It was the Czechs who started much the better, but first-half goals from Dzagoev and Shirokov gave the Russians the lead. The Czech Republic did improve after the break and cut the deficit to 2-1 via Pilar. However, Dzageov doubled his tally late and Pavlyuchenko grabbed another to send the Czechs to the bottom of group A.
FULL-TIMERussia 4-1 Czech Republic
90 minWe will play an additional two minutes at the end of the half.
90 minAccording to Opta Sports: Kerzhsakov is the first player to have seven shots off target in a single game at the Euros.
88 minWhat a wonderful bit of skill that was from the Russian substitute Kokorin. He flicked the ball inside the defender at full speed, but his shot was tame.
87 minChance for the Czechs as Plasil bends a free-kick from distance. However, it drifted high of the bar.
86 minChange for the Czechs as Baros is replaced by David Lafata.
85 minChange for Russia as Dzagoev is replaced by Aleksandr Kokorin.
85 minChance for the Czechs as Rosicky fires towards goal. However, it was never troubling Malafeev.
83 minWonderful solo goal from Pavlyuchenko as he bends the ball into the top corner from just inside the box. Just brilliant.
82 minGOAL! Russia 4-1 Czech Republic (Pavlyuchenko)
82 minThat's just about it for this match. It's been a strong display from the Russians.
80 minIt's a lovely second from Dzagoev as he drills the ball across Cech from just inside the box. Game over.
79 minRussia 3-1 Czech Republic (Dzagoev)
78 minIt's nice play from Zhirkov down the left-hand side. However, Sivok comes across to clear for the Czechs.
78 minAn interesting tweet from Opta Sports: "Alexander Kerzhakov had seven shots tonight - all of them off target."
76 minChange for the Czechs as Jiracek is replaced by Milan Petrzela.
76 minGlorious chance for the Czechs as Rosicky strikes from distance. However, Malafeev gathers at the second time of asking. Really good goalkeeping.
74 minChange for Russia as Kerzhakov is replaced by Pavlyuchenko.
74 minWow. That's some effort from Selassie. However, his volley just drifts wide of the target. We have little over 15 minutes to play in this match.
72 minMore from Pat Nevin: "The game is incredibly open. There's 70 or 80 yards between the two defences which means we've got masses of room in the midfield."
72 minAnother horrible miss from Kerzhakov as he slices wide once more. What on earth is he doing?
70 minYou just get the feeling that if Russia decide to push out then they can score another. However, they are inviting pressure at the moment.
68 minAnother chance for Kerzhakov as he advances on goal. However, he slices horribly wide. Really really careless play.
66 minArshavin looks sensational in this match. Where did he go last season?
65 minChance for Kerzhakov! Brilliant play from Arshavin as he finds the striker, but he fires wide when he should have done better.
64 minRasping drive from Konstantin Zyryanov as he strikes from distance. However, it was always drifting high of the bar.
62 minReally nice defending from Tomas Sivok as he holds off Kerzhakov when it looked as if the Russian forward might wriggle away.
61 minIt's sloppy play from Selassie as he fouls Zhirkov with the ball in the Russian half. There was no need for the full-back to make that challenge.
60 minThe atmosphere has dropped in previous minutes. However, you can sense that there are still goals to come in this game.
58 minStill the Czechs push forward in search of the equaliser. They are playing the better stuff in midfield that's for certain.
58 minFrom what we have seen in group A thus far. I think you would have to say that these two as the favourites to come through. However, we all know how quickly football can change.
56 minMore from Pat Nevin: "That's what we neutrals needed if we wanted to see a game of football here. Russia tried to play offside for no real reason, and that was simply lazy defending. Russia switched off, nothing more than that. Let's see of the Czechs can build on this now."
54 minSuddenly it's all going for the Czechs as Rosicky buys a corner from Yuri Zhirkov.
54 minNow we have a game on our hands with 40 minutes still to play.
53 minIt's brilliant from the Czechs as Plasil finds Pilar and the 23-year-old evades the goalkeeper before slotting home.
52 minGOAL! Russia 2-1 Czech Republic (Pilar)
50 minAnother chance for Russia as Arshavin finds Kerzhakov. However, his effort is just wide of the post.
50 minTomas Necid is being put through his paces in the warm-up. He'd be the most likely man the Czech Republic would look to from their bench.
48 minEarly chance for Russia as Arshavin whips a dangerous cross along the six-yard box. However, there were no takers.
47 minThe Czechs have started the second period much the same as the first. However, they need to make use of their possession.
46 minHere we go then. Can the Czech Republic turn this one around in the second period? They have made a change with Tomas Hubschman on for Rezek.
20.43How impressive was Arshavin in that opening half? Arsenal fans will be pulling their hair out.
20.34So there we have it. Russia lead the Czech Republic 2-0 at the break courtesy of goals from Dzagoev and Shirokov. It was the Czechs who started the better, but Russia have dominated since they took the lead and look a force to be reckoned with.
HALF-TIMERussia 2-0 Czech Republic
45 minWe will play an additional two minutes at the end of the half. The final chance of the half comes to the Czechs with Jiracek firing wide from distance.
44 minYou know, Russia could be a threat in this tournament. They are compact, composed and efficient. No surprises there. They have dominated since the 15th minute.
42 minAgain it's nice work from Jiracek and Plasil in the Czech midfield. However, their final ball continues to lack.
40 minRussia continue to probe and pass and pass and pass. The Czechs simply have no response.
38 minSo nearly for the Czechs as Plasil searches out Razek. However, the forward had strayed into an offside position. It's all gone ever so quiet in the latter stages of the half.
36 minThe Czech's main threat continues to come from midfield. However, their delivery has not been up to scratch thus far.
34 minWe told you all about Dzagoev. Well, my colleague Liam Apicella did in his Euro 2012 five players to watch.
33 minMore from Pat Nevin: "Russia are looking very special going forward. They're breaking at such pace, and they have serious quality in that final third. They're just slicing through the Czech Republic, whose defence haven't been great, we have to say. Tell you what: Russia look good."
31 minStill the Czechs flood forward with intent. However, their final ball has been lacking thus far.
29 minSo nearly three for Russia as Dzagoev produces a low cross. However, the ball drifts out of play.
27 minPenalty appeal for Russia as Kerzhakov is felled in the box. However, referee Howard Webb waves play on.
25 minIt's two for Russia as Arshavin slips in Roman Shirokov and the midfielder produces a wonderful finish over the goalkeeper.
24 minGOAL! Russia 2-0 Czech Republic (Shirokov)
24 minChance for Czech as Plasil finds Rezek in the area. However, his header is collected by Vyavheslav Malafeev.
23 minMore from Pat Nevin: "Great movement from Russia, and a fantastic cross. Alan Dzagoev had to keep calm with the ball zipping of the surface, but he didn't panic did he? Half-volley, kept it low, and we've got a game on!"
22 minI wouldn't back against the Czechs, however, they have some lovely players in midfield.
22 minMeanwhile, Dzagoev's goal was his 15th strike for his country. He is a really tidy football player.
20 minChance! So nearly two for Russia as Kerzhakov finds Dzagoev on the break. However, the attacker fires wide of the post when he should have done better. The Czechs are all over the place at the back.
19 minSuddenly it's all Russia. Everyone wants the ball. They are in control now.
17 minWell I certainly did not see that coming! The Russian's score with their first real chance. That's what football can do to you.
15 minRussia take the lead as Alan Dzagoev latches onto a header from Kerzhakov which had struck the post. The rising star made no mistake as he slotted home from close range.
15 minGOAL! Russia 1-0 Czech Republic (Dzagoev)
15 minFirst real spell of pressure from Russia as Arshavin finds Kerzhakov in the box. However, the striker just fires wide. It's better from the Russians.
15 minA word from former Scotland international Pat Nevin. He told the BBC: "The Czechs are the dominant team. I'm impressed with their first few minutes. They're pressing and, when they have the ball, there's plenty of movement."
13 minSo nearly for Rezek as Michal Kadlec searches out the forward in the box. However, he can only turn it into the box.
11 minAgain it's poor from Russia as Denisov searches out Kerzhakov, but the danger is cleared. No real goal action for either side thus far.
09 minIt's really nice feet from Petr Jiracek as he evades the Russian defence. However, his cross is cleared. Russia need to wake up here.
09 minIt's 4-1-4-1 for the Czechs tonight. Meanwhile, it seems to be a 4-3-3 for the Russians.
07 minSo nearly for Jaroslav Plasil as he attempts to find Baros. However, the forward was just offside.
07 minThere's a lovely tempo to the game in the early stages. Both sides like to play football that's for certain.
05 minIt's been a positive start from the Czechs as Rezek is felled by Berezutski outside the box.
04 minThe first chance of the match falls to the Czechs as Rosicky searches out Baros in the box. However, the ball is cleared.
03 minCzech striker Jan Rezek has been heavily involved early on with a series of crunching challenges.
02 minIt's Russia with early control of the ball. However, Igor Denisov's cross is collected by Cech.
02 minYou would have to place Russia as the favourites for Group A. However, in football you just never know.
01 minHere we go then. Czech Republic start us off.
19.42The Russian players remain more focused throughout their anthem. With not many attempting the words.
19.40The Czech players are in good voice for their national anthem. Don't ask me for the words, however.
19.40The players are emerging onto the pitch. I am really looking forward to this one.
19.38The Czech team has been much-changed in recent years. However, defenders Michal Kadlec and Theo Gebre Selassie have proved to be solid performers.
19.36Russian central defenders Vasily Berezutsky and Sergei Ignashevich have 140 caps between them - wow.
19.32What about Arshavin? The midfielder had a poor season at Arsenal and also failed to impress on loan at Zenit St. Petersburg. However, he remains a threat.
19.30Meanwhile, the Czech Republic boast arguably the best goalkeeper in the world -Petr Cech - between the sticks.
19.28What of Russia as an attacking threat then? The danger man for me is Alan Dzagoev. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur striker Roman Pavlyuchenko could have a say from the bench.
19.26There is plenty of interesting names to get my teeth into in this match. I can't wait!
19.24So the opening match in Group A provided a 1-1 draw between Poland and Greece. A win for either Russia or the Czechs would put them top of the group after one game.
19.22Tonight's referee is our very own Howard Webb. Let's hope he remains
anonymous.
anonymous.
19.22Here's a quirky fact for you. The Czechs have never missed a penalty at a European Championship finals.
19.20Both these sides have pedigree. Russia reached the semi-finals in 2008. Meanwhile, the Czechs have reached the final four in two of the last four European Championship finals.
19.18The two sides have met twice before in the European Championships, with Russia yet to record a win. However, the Czech Republic have won just two of their last 13 internationals against the Russians.
19.16Czech Republic boss Michal Bilek will make his debut as the national team boss today and he will be hopeful of getting off to the best possible start.
19.16Dick Advocaat's side also boast the oldest forwards in the tournament, with an average age of 30.
19.14Of the 23-man squad that Russia have named for this tournament - 11 appeared in 2008 when they reached the semi-finals.
19.14Meanwhile, the Czech Republic name Milan Baros in their line-up. He is joined by
Premier League duo Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky.
Premier League duo Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky.
19.12It's good news for the Russians with Arsenal midfielder Andrey Arshavin and Zenit St Petersburg striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov both cleared to play. However, Igor Akinfeev starts on the bench.
19.12Team news: Czech Republic: Cech; Gebre Selassie, Kadlec, Hubnik, Sivok; Rezek, Rosicky, Plasil, Pilar; Jiracek; Baros.
19.10Team news: Russia: Malafeev; Anyukov, Ignashevich, A. Berezutski, Zhirkov; Shirokov, Denisov, Zyryanov, Dzagoev; Arshavin; Kerzhakov.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
