Czechs shake off Russia loss, remain hopeful
WROCLAW: Disappointed Czech Republic players shook off their 4-1 Euro 2012 defeat by Russia and said yesterday they would refocus for their remaining Group A matches.
A fan of the Portugal’s national football team jokes with a Ukrainian candy seller in Lviv yesterday
Russia produced an inspired display of counter-attacking football to overwhelm their opponents in Wroclaw on Friday.
Captain Tomas Rosicky said the Czechs could not afford to panic and would draw inspiration from do-or-die qualifying matches that put them through to the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.
“It was a huge loss for us but this is no time to panic,” Rosicky said after training. “The team know the situation we are in and have a similar experience from qualifying.”
Rosicky, who appeared to limp during the game but said his injured calf was fine, said Russia’s decision to sit back and wait to counter-attack caught the Czechs by surprise.
The Czechs started the game the better, controlling possession until a quick break after 15 minutes gave Russia a the lead.
“Defensively we were poor and we didn’t react to the counter-attack,” he said. “It was a good tactic.”
Other players said the team would have to play more intelligently and not lose possession so often, but echoed Rosicky’s view they could reach the knockout stage.
“Russian fans attacked
stewards, say Polish police
WROCLAW: Four Euro 2012 stewards were attacked by Russian football supporters after the country’s 4-1 win against the Czech Republic, police in Wroclaw, western Poland, said yesterday.
An amateur video broadcast by the Polish television channel TVN24 appeared to show a group of supporters punching and kicking the volunteers, who were wearing the distinctive green tabards and positioned in the stadium for the tie on Friday.
“Four people were hospitalised for a short time following this incident,” Wroclaw police spokesman Pawel Petrykowski confirmed. “We are trying to identify their attackers.”
European football’s governing body UEFA said in a separate statement that it was aware of a “brief and isolated incident involving a small group of around 30 fans who attacked a handful of stewards.
“The situation was quickly and efficiently brought under control. The local police are aware of the incident and investigating.
“The cause of the incident is not currently known but we are studying the security reports and available images. UEFA remains entirely committed to the safety and security of all fans and spectators at all matches of Euro 2012.”
Just before the same match, police arrested four Russian supporters who had allegedly started a bar brawl in Wroclaw old town. Petrykowski said the four were drunk and had been questioned about the incident.
Warsaw mayor’s office last week gave the go-ahead for Russian fans to march in the capital on their national day on Tuesday, which also happens to be the day when their team plays Poland in the capital.
Schweinsteiger to fans:
‘Let’s celebrate together’
MUNICH: Shortly before the German national team was due to kick off their Euro 2012 campaign, German star Bastian Schweinsteiger spoke directly to the fans in an open letter published in a Munich newspaper, calling for their support and hoping they can celebrate together.
“Now it will finally start! We are so excited about the Euro 2012 and we hope for a successful tournament for all of us,” Schweinsteiger wrote in Munich Abendzeitung daily.
“With your support we want to realise our Euro dream. Let’s celebrate together! Cross your fingers for us!”
The midfielder stressed that he and his Bayern Munich team-mates in the German squad are no longer thinking about the “bitter moments” of the Champions League final loss against Chelsea.
“Forget about it! Now it’s the Euro, now we’re looking at a new title.”
Schweinsteiger said it was “entirely wrong” to already now think about Germany reaching the Euro final. Their first opponent - Portugal on Saturday in Lviv, Ukraine - is a “tough challenge.”
“Every game from the very beginning is more difficult and more intensive than at a World Cup,” Schweinsteiger reminded the German fans.
“Two years ago we were really close to the very top but we lost to Spain - just like at the Euro 2008. Should we face off a third time, naturally we hope that we will have a better ending.”
He added: “Despite all the uncertainties, it is our goal to be able to celebrate winning the cup on July 1 in Kiev.”