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Preview: Group A - Poland vs. Greece

Euro 2012 kicks off with a Group A clash between co-hosts Poland and 2004 winners Greece, with both teams desperate to get the first three points on the board.

The European Championships begin this afternoon with co-hosts Poland kicking off the tournament with a Group A clash against Greece in Warsaw.

Franciszek Smuda's side are expected to start on the front foot for the opening game of the competition, while 2004 Euro champions Greece are likely to keep it as tight as possible and rely on their set pieces to cause damage to the White and Reds.

In terms of injury concerns, Poland have a fresh bill of health for their first group clash with Jakob Blaszczykowski, Robert Lewandowski and Lukasz Piszczek expected to start in the National Stadium.

Meanwhile, Greece coach Fernando Santos is likely to call upon Vasilis Torosidis, despite the 26-year-old right-back picking up a knee injury in last week's friendly against Slovenia.

Panathinaikos striker Sotiris Ninis is not expected to be included in the starting XI due to a knock the frontman has been struggling with in recent weeks, but the 21-year-old should feature from the bench at some point during the clash.

Poland may feel under slightly more pressure in this opening fixture of the tournament considering they are on home soil. However, both sides will be eager to get three points on the board for their side with Russia and Czech Republic to come.

Current form:

Poland: WWDWWW
Greece: WDLDDW

Possible lineups:

Poland: Szczesny; Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch; Murawski, Polanski; Blaszczykowski, Obraniak, Rybus; Lewandowski

Greece: Chalkias; Torosidis, P'thopoulos, P'dopoulos, Holebas; Karagounis, Katsouranis, Maniatis; Salpingidis, Gekas, Samaras

Sports Mole says: 2-0

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Written by
Danielle Joynson

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