Greece earns 1-1 draw against Poland at Euro 2012

Chris Lehourites

AP Photo/Matt Dunham
Greece's Dimitris Salpigidis, left front, celebrates after scoring an equalizer goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group A match between Poland and Greece in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, June 8, 2012.

ARSAW, Poland (AP) — Dimitris Salpigidis earned Greece a 1-1 draw with co-host Poland on Friday in the opening match of the European Championship.

The substitute striker knocked in a loose ball in the 51st minute, only six minutes after coming on at halftime.

Robert Lewandowski had given Poland the lead by heading in a goal in the 17th minute.

Both teams finished with 10 men, and Greece missed a chance to take a lead when Giorgos Karagounis missed a late penalty after Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off for taking down Salpigidis in the area in the 69th.

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June 08, 2012

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1. Philip Vorgias wrote on June 08, 2012 3:37 PM	A tale of two halves. The Greeks looked unprepared and out of synch in the first half, particularly the first 15 minutes. After the two asinine card-calls against Greece and the non-hand call against Poland, Greece seemed to get it all together. The Ref looked like an ass out there, he didn't know what he was doing half the time. A draw is better than a loss!

2. Niko Seretis wrote on June 09, 2012 12:00 AM	Agreed Philip. And the penalty kick was a lost opportunity as well. I don't think Karagounis kick had anything behind it.

3. Philip Vorgias wrote on June 09, 2012 1:21 AM	Agreed Niko, he whiffed the penalty kick. Still, Greece showed it can play at a high level when needed. We need to recoup with a win over the Czech's and then get ready to tackle the tough Russians.
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Saturday, May 25, 2013 Last Update: 1:39 AM ET