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The Euro 2012 football tournament off to a start for Russia on Friday as they the Czech Republic 4-1 in their opening game in the Polish city of Wroclaw. The same cannot be for co-hosts Poland, who could only a 1-1 draw against 2004 champions Greece at the National Stadium in Warsaw. Both teams had a man sent off in a high-, entertaining game. The Russians have established themselves as a contender to win the competition with a display of attacking football. They could easily have doubled their if it were not for some wasteful finishing in front of goal from their frontmen. Their usually opponents proved quite hapless against Russia.

The tournament, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, is the 14th by Europe’s governing football body UEFA. The tournament has been by controversy in its build-up, which has threatened to the football. There were concerns about whether the infrastructure would be in in time, which seems to happen with every major sporting event. The BBC a documentary last month portraying racism at stadiums in the host countries. Politics has also a part with European politicians boycotting the games in Ukraine over the imprisonment of president Yulia Tymoshenko. However, the quality of the two games has made sure the is on the football.