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The first participants of the "Euro 2012" quarterfinals - Greece and Czech Republic. Few could have predicted this. It seemed that the Russians and Poles would easily handle these opponents. However, after the final whistle of the referee, these teams had to leave the stadiums empty-handed. It is hard to believe for the Russian and Polish media.
"Gazeta.pl" does not hide disappointment: "Our players fought with Czech Republic as if tomorrow did not exist. Fifteen minutes. After that, all ghosts of the past returned. The Poles played as if they wanted to prove that the European Championship simply does not belong to us..."
"The football gods sent us one of the easiest groups in championship history and we failed to take advantage of it," regrets the news website. The Poles no longer expect to qualify for the European Championship in the near future, even though it is planned to expand it to 24 teams from 2016 onwards. "Sport.pl" doubts the bright future of the national team: "We will have to go back to the ground, the game will be different..."
"This match was impossible to lose. We will regret losing such an easy opportunity for a long time," tears flowed at "Fakt.pl".
The Czech heroes basked in glory. "Idnes.cz" quoted legendary French player Patrick Vieira: "Petr Jiraček was the true heart of the team. Not only did he score a goal for the team, but he also gave them strength."
Team coach Michal Bilek will receive a 4 million euro prize for the two victories and qualification for the quarterfinal. "We deserved this. Like I said, the first match of the championship doesn't decide anything. The Russians won against us, but we move on to the next stage, and they go home," commented the Czech national team coach.
"Give us Germany!" - caught in euphoria, wrote "Sport24.gr".
The Greek media also triumphed. "Giorgos Karagounis' goal is more important than Sunday's elections," roared "Sport24.gr", although the eyes of the whole world are anxiously watching the elections of the Greek government, plagued by a financial crisis.
"Heart like a fist," admired "Sport.gr" the national team. "This is Greece. We need to reach the bottom to rise to the top with our heart and soul," continued "Contra.gr." "Give us Germany!" - caught in euphoria added "Sport24.gr".
"Greek tragedy", "It can't be. Again!", "Black day for Russian football" - Russian newspapers summed up the match against Greece. Russians can't believe that the Greeks, with just a handful of fans in Warsaw, triumphed against a multitude of Russians. "The Russians mourn. The Poles are mourning, unable to advance to the next stage. What happened - is hard to explain," failed to find the reasons for failure the journalists of "Kommersant".
"Kompravda.eu" can't believe that the scenario of the 2002 World Cup has repeated itself, when the Russians withdrew after the group stage, although the opponents were the weakest possible. "Mk.ru" sees symbolism in the name of the only goal scorer, Greek Giorgos Karagounis. "In Turkish, "Kara Gun" means "black day". What happened was black humor! We were better..." - the newspaper couldn't hide the sarcasm.
"At one point, I caught myself thinking that I was watching a repeat of a friendly match with Lithuania (which ended 0:0 - ed.). Then the Russians also focused on the game in the center, and from then on, it became easier for the opponents," noted "Sovetskij sport" journalist Sergei Egorov.
