Fans clash as Russia, Poland play to draw
Alan Dzagoev scored his third goal of the European Championship and Jakub Blaszczykowski tied the score in the second half as Russia and Poland played to a 1-1 draw Tuesday.
The match in Warsaw was marred before kickoff by fighting between hooligans from both countries, leaving several people injured as thousands of Russian fans marched to celebrate the Russia Day holiday.
Dzagoev darted past Lukasz Piszczek in the 37th minute and sent a glancing header beyond goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton after a curling free kick from Andrei Arshavin.
But Poland was rewarded for its attacking intent in the 57th minute when Blaszczykowski cut in from the right and sent a searing left-foot drive into the far corner of the goal.
“I think we deserve praise because all of us put a lot into this match,” Blaszczykowski said. “The tactics we set up we carried out 100%.”
The result left Russia at the top of Group A with four points but also kept alive Poland’s chances of qualifying for the quarterfinals.
Police said 10 people were injured in fighting before the match. Polish police also fired rubber bullets and tear gas at a group of young Poles who attacked them with glass bottles.
The march to the stadium by thousands of Russian fans was seen as a provocation by many Poles, who have long had tense relations with Russia.
Earlier Tuesday, the Czechs played themselves back into Group A contention by hanging on to beat Greece 2-1.
Racial abuse probed:
UEFA stepped up investigations into alleged racial abuse directed at Italy forward Mario Balotelli and Czech Republic defender Theodor Gebre Selassie.
UEFA said Tuesday that it received new reports regarding the two cases of alleged racist chanting at the European Championship.
A Spanish fans group acknowledged Monday that about 200 supporters made monkey chants at Balotelli during the Spain-Italy match Sunday in Gdansk, Poland.
UEFA spokesman Rob Faulkner said it would seek evidence from Czech team officials about chants directed by Russian fans at Gebre Selassie on Friday in Wroclaw, Poland.
Dutch anxious:
The buildup to today’s match between Germany and the Netherlands saw tensions rise, especially among the Dutch squad.
The Netherlands — one of the pre-tournament favorites — will become the first team to be eliminated if it loses again after a 1-0 loss to Denmark.
“Ahead of a game like this, and surely after a defeat, tensions rise,” Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said. “For us, likely at home, too, and among all our discerning followers. It sometimes can create irritants.”
Elsewhere, Italy forward Antonio Cassano sparked outrage among gay rights associations by saying he hopes there are no homosexual players on the national team at Euro 2012.