Fergie target lives up to billing but Szczesny slips up
But it was first goalscorer Robert Lewandowski who created the biggest headlines following intense speculation that he is set to sign for Manchester United.
Szczesny, the 22-year-old Arsenal star who is so highly rated in north London that he was tipped as one of the stars of the tournament, now faces a one-match suspension after he mistimed a challenge on Dimitris Salpingidis in the second half, clipping the striker’s ankle with his outstretched leg as he raced free on goal.
It means he will miss a potentially decisive clash against Russia next Tuesday and considering his replacement Przemyslaw Tyon made an instant impact, plunging to his left to keep out Giorgos Karagounis’ penalty and keep the scores level at 1-1, it is by no means certain he willregain his place.
“It wasn’t the way I wanted to start the tournament,” admitted Szczesny.
“But I didn’t mean to do it, I just caught him. It’s only one match and I have to stay positive. I still think we can go through.”
Earlier in the match Greece had also had a man sent off, Sokratis Papastathopoulos for two very harsh yellow cards just before half time. But the Euro 2004 champions were still able to mount a spirited comeback as substitute Salpingidis took advantage of indecision from Szczesny to scramble home a cross from Vassilis Torossidis.
The Greeks deserve credit for their response — they could even have won it if Karagounis had been more ruthless with his penalty or if he had not strayed narrowly offside before placing the ball in the net minutes later.
But much of the focus of the media will be on Szczesny and Lewandowski, the Borussia Dortmund striker who headed the tournament’s first goal, converting a wonderful cross from his captain Jakub Blaszczykowski in only the 17th minute of the match to give co-hosts Poland a dream start.
That goal came just moments after Polish head coach Franciszek Smuda had rather let the cat out of the bag about a possible summer transfer for his star striker.
“Lewy is going to Manchester United,” he was reported as saying; and it seems the only problem for Alex Ferguson, who once again seems to be ahead of the game, is that by the time Lewandowski’s Euro dream is over he may well be a far more expensive option than when the tournament kicked off.
“The story doesn’t mean much to me,” Lewandowski said later. “Those are just speculations. No, the most important things are about Euro 2012. I’m totally focused on the national team.
“I can be satisfied with the game; but we wanted more. We were dominating. We could have taken more opportunities We have two matches to go and I’m sure we will show that this was just the beginning.”
Fergie has obviously spotted that potential early; although the Pole scored 30 goals for Dortmund last season as they won a league and cup double in Germany — enough for him to be voted player of the year in the Bundesliga — he was famously rejected in his youth by Legia Warsaw.
Warsaw certainly appreciated him yesterday, however, as he sent an expertly-guided downward header past goalkeeeper Kostas Chalkias that should have earned three points; and would have done if the home side had been able to keep 11 men on the pitch themselves.
Greece, whose grit and team spirit guided them to a shock victory at Euro 2004, are made of strong stuff however; and stunned their hosts by equalising after 51 minutes when substitute Salpingidis took advantage of hesitancy between keeper Szczesny and his defence to scramble the ball home.
Further fun and games — Szczesny’s red card, that penalty save and a string of yellow cards — failed to separate the sides.
If this is a taste of what is to come, then Euro 2012 will not be short of headlines.
Subs for Poland: Tyton for Rybus (69).
Subs for Greece: Kyriakos Papadopoulos for Avraam Papadopoulos (36), Salpingidis for Ninis (46), Fortounis for Gekas (68).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
