The first match was some drama, with send-offs on both sides and Poland's substitute goalie holding a penalty, ending in a 1:1 draw. In the first half, Poland played the ethusiastic attacking game I expected, especially on the right wing, with Dortmund striker Lewandowski scoring. But they wasted too many chances. Greece on the other hand surprised me: the famed defense was full of holes, while the strikers created constant danger on the Polish side.

The second match confirmed my expectations for both teams: Russia found its 2004 super-attacking form again, while the Czech Republic is not the nineties Golden Generation anymore. The midfield with Rosicky can do only so much without a good striker, and Cech can't do much without a good defense line – hence the crushing 4:1 win for Russia. The last goal, Pavlyuchenko's, was the most spectacular so far: feint left, feint right, run from the right to center, then shoot left top corner without facing the goal as two more defenders closed the angle... but maybe better defenders would have stopped him after the second feint.

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}