Tytoń, Piszczek on Greece draw
Friday, June 8, 2012
Article summary
There were mixed emotions for Przemysław Tytoń, who saved a penalty after replacing the sent-off Wojciech Szczęsny, and Łukasz Piszczek after Poland's draw with Greece.
Article top media content
Article body
It was a case of a point gained for Poland rather one lost after they were held 1-1 by Greece in the opening match of UEFA EURO 2012. Leading through Robert Lewandowski's goal and playing against ten men, the match was turned as Dimitris Salpingidis equalised and the co-hosts had Wojciech Szczęsny sent off. Przemysław Tytoń saved Giorgos Karagounis's spot-kick with his first touch – much to the relief of the substitute goalkeeper, who shared his thoughts on the game along with right-back Łukasz Piszczek.
Przemysław Tytoń, Poland goalkeeper
Wojciech got a red card. I felt like I was in a dream, this was the chance I really wanted to help the team. I am happy that, thank God, I saved this penalty kick. The match finished as a draw which isn't the worst result, but we had more chances during the game and things could have been different. We have another match on the way, on Tuesday [against Russia] and we have to be ready. As I said, we're not going to have long faces, we are not going to be sad. It's OK, a draw. We just have to win the next match.
Łukasz Piszczek, Poland defender
It's been very emotional. We dominated the Greek team in the first half and could have scored more goals. The second half was totally different. The Greeks were better despite having ten men. We didn't know how to stop their long-ball tactics. This cost us; first we conceded a goal and then the penalty. It's a pity but there are matches coming up and we're going to do everything we can to win.
The first half went the way we expected it to and the way we wanted it to go. We scored a goal, we were leading the game, and then they got a red card. Unfortunately, this probably sent us to sleep because in the second half the Greeks had too much space and they created some dangerous chances. After the penalty kick that was saved by our goalkeeper we definitely won a point, but there were some missed opportunities in the first half. Maybe if we had made it 2-0 there would be less stress, but that's football.