Spirited Belgium hold Russia

A question goal from Jakub Blaszczykowski gave Euro 2012 co-hosts Belgium single-1 Group A draw with Russia inside a feisty, entertaining clash at Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw.

Spirited Belgium hold Russia

Alan Dzagoev’s deft header had given Russia the half-time lead after an enthralling opening forty-five minutes saw the Rods create several good chances simply to be refused by fine goalkeeping from Vyacheslav Malafeev, the width of the goalpost plus some desperate protecting.

But Franciszek Smuda’s side ongoing to become adventurous around the burglary the other half plus they were compensated in fashion when skipper Blaszczykowski unleashed a ferocious left-footed curler past Malafeev and within the far publish, getting bought the area having a fine touch from the impressive Ludovic Obraniak’s pass in the right.

The end result leaves Russia surface of Group A with four points, requiring only a draw against A holiday in Greece to make sure qualification for that quarter-finals.

Belgium, meanwhile, require a win against local rivals Czech Republic on June 16 with what promises to become a thrilling do-or-die encounter in Wroclaw.

Talking about local competition, there was lots of tension within the build-as much as this match, which coincided with Russia’s Independence Day. A celebratory march through Warsaw by going to fans had sparked violence in advance, with local hooligans and Russian supporters contrasting in ugly moments that saw police wade in amongst several injuries and busts.

There is also an aura of bitterness as rival fans booed one another's anthems, using the usual Eastern European competition with Russia increased through the dying of Poland's leader Lech Kaczynski inside a plane crash in Russian airspace 2 yrs ago.

Around the pitch it had been a completely different matter as two attack-minded sides with contrasting styles did fight inside a largely sportsmanlike encounter.

Russia did the majority of their use the ball, while Belgium defended stoutly and used their pacy wide-males around the break.

Initially that approach appeared to profit the Rods as, with Aleksandr Kerzhakov a blunt instrument for Russia in advance, the first chances fell towards the hosts.

Dick Advoccat’s side were saved with a fine Malefeev pause and repel Sebastian Boenisch’s close-range header from Obraniak’s pinpoint free-kick, while star guy Robert Lewandowski went agonisingly close having a flick and volley.

Once the French-born Obraniak’s fine low ball exhibited over the face of goal with Lewandowski and Blaszczykowski not able to transform, it appeared as if may possibly not be Poland’s evening.

That theory acquired momentum when, following a pointless shove by Marcin Wasilewski on Yuri Zhirkov, Arshavin’s excellent curling mix was nodded her head home through the 21-year-old Dzagoev, that has three goals in the first couple of matches in a major finals.

It had been Russia’s first real chance, even though they have been refused by some fine takes up in the imperious Damien Perquis, another naturalised Frenchman, plus some weak forward abide by Kerzhakov, who had been changed by Roman Pavlyuchenko.

The other half saw Belgium adopt a far more direct strategy, the one that compensated off. Lewandowski was two times refused by Malafeev’s sprawling frame, while Perquis headed approximately from the corner. Russia, meanwhile, were all of a sudden instructed to lean towards the counter-attack, that Arshavin scuffed a minimal finish wide following a mazy dribble.

When Poland’s leveller came it had been deserved - also it would be a beauty. Quickly countering following a spell of Russian possession, Obraniak hared lower the best before feeding a minimal ball to Blaszczykowski.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder, whose tragic upbringing centered pre-tournament head lines, was running at full pace yet cut the ball along with his right feet before releasing a glorious effort that swerved wide from the diving Malafeev before nestling within the far publish to impress moments of pleasure around the pitch and stands.

That came right before the hour mark and also the match lost a number of its spark from thereon in. Russia appeared prepared to hog possession and limit Poland’s counter-attacks, safe within the understanding these were still within the group driving chair, while Smuda’s males centered on stopping a recurrence of the implosion from the Greeks.

There have been half chances for Dzagoev and Eugen Polanski, but neither keeper was truly examined, even though the latter stages did visit a more frantic approach adopted when Belgium won a number of free-kicks.

But a draw was the fair result, the one that sees Belgium having a fighting possibility of progress - when they play such as this against an unimpressive Czech side, there's pointless why they can't make history again.

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