Euro 2012 day one: what we've learned

Russia look quite good

Ok so admittedly the Czech Republic were pretty poor, but few can deny that Russia were very impressive in tonight's 4-1 victory. Arshavin looked interested for about the first time since the last European Championships, and Pavluchenko showed that he still possesses a hammer of a right-foot. Interestingly, the Russian team also included a player with "Alan" as a first name - something not even England have this year. We'll see if Alan and his mates are the real deal when they come to play one of the lucky two to emerge from the group of death.

Czech Republic look quite rubbish

A few bright spells excepted, the Czech's were pedestrian in pace and beige in creativity. Tomas Rosicky tried to influence the game, but with only the once-again-as-always-awful Milan Baros to aim for, his passes rarely found a worthwhile target. Surely they have someone other than Baros to try out up front? Surely? If not, they could well be making the short trip home at the end of the group stage.

Poland look ok, nothing more, nothing less

At times in the first half of today's game, they certainly looked like they could be more than ok, but they lost their way and seemed reliant on the partizan crowd being in full voice to really make them play. They will probably have to play better than they did today to have any chance against Russia, but they have some talented players - notably Lewondowski - and could well make it through to the quarters. It's difficult to see the co-hosts going further than that though.

Greece look a bit boring

Ok so they woke up in the second half when they needed to, but seldom have I seen such a negative start to a tournament. It's as if they were a caged animal that needed to be prodded with a big Polish stick in order to be brought into action. Even then their response was hardly one to strike fear into Russia or the Czechs. Actually, the Czechs will probably be scared of their own shadows after tonight. Much improvement needed if they're to go through.

And so day one is over with the group of death's first games to come tomorrow. It will be interesting to see who draws first blood, as a positive result in either game will set the group up nicely. Is it too much to ask for Cristiano Ronaldo to turn up to a tournament as well?