The Euro 2012 football tournament got off to a flying start for Russia on Friday as they thrashed the Czech Republic 4-1 in their opening game in the Polish city of Wroclaw. The same cannot be said for co-hosts Poland, who could only manage a 1-1 draw against 2004 champions Greece at the National Stadium in Warsaw. Both teams had a man sent off in a high-tempo, entertaining game. The Russians have established themselves as a serious contender to win the competition with a breathtaking display of attacking football. They could easily have doubled their tally if it were not for some wasteful finishing in front of goal from their frontmen. Their usually classy opponents proved quite hapless in all areas of the pitch. The tournament, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, is the 14th held by Europe's governing football body UEFA. The tournament has been marred by controversy in its build-up, which has threatened to overshadow the football. There were initial concerns about whether the infrastructure would be in place in time, which seems to happen with every major sporting event. The BBC aired a documentary last month portraying racism at stadiums in the host countries. Politics has also played a part with European politicians boycotting the games in Ukraine over the imprisonment of former president Yulia Tymoshenko. However, the quality of the opening two games has made sure the focus is on the football.

A 58-year-old grandmother has been banned from flying with Australia's national carrier Qantas after she got drunk and punched a man in the face on a flight from Australia to New Zealand. Courts also ordered the granny (Mrs M) to pay the airline nearly US$18,000 for having to return to Melbourne Airport. She also received a 4-month jail sentence suspended for two years. Mrs M had a history of anti-social behaviour on airplanes. She was involved in an incident on a Virgin Airlines flight on last year and was fined for using bad language and smoking on the flight. If she is found guilty again of such behaviour, she will end up in prison. Qantas has banned her from its flights for at least ten years.

Mrs M, a former nurse, was flying to New Zealand to see her children. She got drunk on the flight and began verbally abusing other passengers and the flight attendants. She then started punching and headbutting the seat in front of her. A male passenger then asked her to be quiet. At this, she stood up, flew into a rage and punched him hard in the face. He required stitches on his 6cm cut. Court judge Luisa Bazzani said Mrs M's behaviour was "appalling". She said: "Those passengers affected by your…behaviour were unable to remove themselves from the situation." She added: "The assault by you of a fellow passenger without any provocation is particularly concerning."