Tune in at 2:45 PM ET as the Czech Republic takes on Poland. Rob Sturney will be liveblogging for your enjoyment.
I'm Rob Sturney here with the crucial last game of the group stage for the Czech Republic and Poland. Poland must win to get out of Group A and into the quarters.
The Czechs have 3 points and sit second to Russia in the group. Poland has two points from two draws and sits third.
The Czechs will have to play without their main playmaker Rosicky, who is out with an Achilles injury. Kolar will play behind Baros instead.
Lineups: Czech Republic: Cech, Sivok, Kadlec, Limbersky, Gebre-Selassie; Hubschmann, Plasil, Jiracek, Pilar; Kolar; Baros
Poland: Tyton, Perquis, Wasilewski, Pizczek, Boenisch; Polanski, Dudka, Obraniak, Blaszczykowski; Murawski; Lewardowski
Coach Smuda keeps Tyton in goal, even though Szczesny is back from suspension. Dudka and Perquis have shaken off their injuries to play.
The Polish national anthem is "Poland Is Not Yet Lost" and they'll take that to heart today in Wroclaw. The Czechs are officially considered to be the home team. In all five meetings between these two teams, the home team has won. However, The Bialo Czerwoni will have heaps of support in Wroclaw.
Funny enough, the Czech national anthem is "Where Is My Home". Well, it's actually over the line, but they'll be wearing the red jerseys today.
Pilar leads the Narodak with two goals. Jiracek has one.
Lewandowski and Blaszczykowski each have one marker. Lewandowski and Polanski each carry a yellow card.
And, hey, Baros leads the whole tournament with eight fouls!
Meanwhile, Greece and Russia will face off at the same time in Warsaw. The Russians lead the group with four points. Greece has one. So, 4, 3, 2, 1 in the group. Pretty tight.
Any predictions out there today?
Man, I'm looking at that name Blaszczykowski. I'm sure I'm going to fumble with the keys every time I type it. Maybe I should shorten it to Bla'kowski.
The Czechs are wearing all red with a blue left collarbone patch on their jerseys. Cech sports all yellow.
The Poles are in all white, Tyton in blue.
Remember: Poland has to win here to continue on.
Now for the national anthems. First is the Czechs' "Kde Domov Muj?" - "Where Is My Home?"
It's raining heavily in Wroclaw, but as heavily as it was yesterday in Donetsk.
Now for "Mazurek Dabrowskiego" - "Poland Is Not Lost Yet".
The fans are certainly up for it!
Oops, I missed that Jiracek and Kolar have cards along with Lewandowski and Polanski.
The game is about to begin.
Yes, but Tyton is "da man" tonight.
The Poles will kick us off. They'll attack from right to left in this half. Right to left.
1 min: A heel pass down the far touch line from the Poles. Lewandowski is fouled there and the Poles have a free kick from about 37 yeards from an acute angle. The ball clattered around dangerously before a bicycle kick hits the side netting.
3 min: Cech delivers gently to his back line but the ball is chased back to him. The Poles have been aggressive so far.
4 min: OH MY! Pilar collects a hard-fought Gebre-Selassie cross and Dudka had to put out the fire.
4 min: Cech lofts one forward. Baros backs into Perquis and the defender lets Baros know he didn't like the foul.
5 min: A foul as Bla'kowski is taken down at the right corner of the 18 box. Free kick for Poland, another acute angle.
6 min: It's pounded by Obraniak into the side netting with a curling left foot.
We shall see.
The Czechs are being lustily whistled every time they have the ball.
Take a drink everytime there's a war reference during this Poland v Czech Republic gameby isnemis via twitter 6/16/2012 6:33:59 PM
Time for some EURO action Poland v. Czech republic and Russia v. Greece
