Saturday, June 14, 2008

Greece Vs. Russia Match Report

Greece lost their grip on the European Championship title after Konstantin Zyryanov's winner earned victory for Russia in Salzburg and knocked out the holders.

Otto Rehhagel's men were never given much hope of making history and becoming the first country to defend the title, and their hopes lasted two matches.

Criticised for being negative, there was at least some adventure after Zyryanov took advantage of woeful goalkeeping from Antonis Nikopolidis - but it was too little, too late.

Andrei Arshavin's return from suspension now comes at the perfect time for Guus Hiddink, with victory over Sweden needed on Wednesday in Innsbruck to reach the quarter-finals.

Before this match the sounds coming from Rehhagel and Greece were that they wanted to attack, and their formation suggested as much, with the ultra-defensive sweeper system giving way for a flat back four.

But it was impossible to throw caution to the wind when Russia had the ball and looked to attack down the flanks.

Roman Pavlyuchenko, whose goals defeated England last October, had recovered from an adductor muscle strain and stretched Greece's defence at Stadion Wals-Siezenheim, following Hiddink's tactics to the letter.

Russia's pressure was almost rewarded in the 14th minute when Zyryanov robbed Angelos Basinas as the Greece skipper dwelt on the ball.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov worked the ball out to Pavlyuchenko, who saw his curling lob tipped over by Nikopolidis as it angled towards the top corner.

Greece's threats predictably came from set-plays, with Basinas curling a trademark free-kick into the danger zone but Angelos Charisteas could not get a head on the perfect delivery or on Igor Semshov's clumsy resulting clearance that went just wide.

The opener came for Russia after 33 minutes, gifted by Nikopolidis.

Bilyaletdinov was fed by Dmitri Torbinski on the left and his cross looked harmless as it drifted to the far post but Nikopolidis followed the ball, allowing enough time for Sergei Semak to hook the ball back into the six-yard area where Zyryanov could not miss. Hiddink punched the air in delight.

With momentum on their side, Pavlyuchenko had a couple of efforts off target, failing to test whether Nikopolidis' error had affected him.

Greece's response was to take off Giourkas Seitaridis, who appeared to take a knock after a challenge from Torbinski, and bring on playmaker Giorgos Karagounis, who was booked shortly after for a foul.

They should have been level 40 seconds after the restart but Charisteas, the hero of 2004, looked shocked to be given onside and his finish was no better than his effort in the first half.

Pavlyuchenko then had a hat-trick of chances to put the game beyond Greece but Nikopolidis saved twice when he cut in from either flank. On the third attempt his finish went wide of the near post.

The wastefulness of the Russia striker sparked Greece into life and Karagounis stung the palms of Igor Akinfeev with a fierce shot, Nikos Liberopoulos had a header tipped over and Basinas flashed over when the ball had been cut back.

Russia's tactic was now to counter-attack, and one flowing move resulted in Pavlyuchenko backheeling intelligently for Bilyaletdinov - but the finish was dragged wide.

Bilyaletdinov also had a shot blocked by Sotiris Kyrgiakos after Nikopolidis fumbled.

Charisteas showed no signs of his confidence returning and his penultimate effort was a header from a corner that Akinfeev saved easily.

The striker had the ball in the net with five minutes remaining but play had been called back for an offside against Fanis Gekas, who had come on to bolster Greece's attack.

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