Poland 1-1 Greece: Honours even as Giorgos Karagounis misses penalty

By Grant Russell

Giorgos Karagounis missed a second half penalty for Greece as they drew 1-1 with Poland in the opening match of Euro 2012.

Wojciech Szczesny was sent off for bringing down Dimitris Salpigidis but his replacement, Przemyslaw Tyton, guessed correctly to turn away the Greek captain's effort.

Robert Lewandowski had opened the scoring for Poland 17 minutes into the match, heading in Ludovic Obraniak's cross from the right.

Salpigidis, a half-time replacement for Sotiris Ninis, was at the forefront of Greece's comeback, scoring his side's equaliser six minutes after his introduciton.

An error from Szczesny in coming for Vassilis Torosidis' cross, and a break of the ball, presented an opportunity for the PAOK striker to slot home with ease.

The 30-year-old also had the ball in the net after Karagounis' penalty miss, only for his strike to be ruled out for offside after Kostas Fortounis was flagged by the far-side linesman.

In a game which ebbed and flowed, Poland did much of the early running and looked dangerous bursting forward, with Greek keeper Kostas Chalkias tested on a number of occasions.

Lewandowski, tipped by many to light up the tournament, then lived up to his billing by beating Chalkias to a inswinging cross from the right wing to head in the first goal of Euro 2012.

Greece struggled to gain a foothold during the opening period and their chances of gaining anything from the fixture appeared to take a further blow when Sokratis Papastathopoulos was sent off for a second bookable offence shortly before half-time.

Salpigidis' introduction swung matters in the Euro 2004 winners' favour, though, netting six minutes into the second period and then winning the penalty which could have won the match for his side.

Szczesny, culpable for his side losing their lead, clipped the striker as the two went for a through-ball, meaning the Arsenal keeper will miss his side's next fixture with Russia.

WATCH THE KEY MOMENTS

Robert Lewandowski scores the first goal of Euro 2012 for Poland

Dimitris Salpigidis equalises for Greece

Giorgos Karagounis misses a penalty for Greece

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