The Hindu : Sport / Football : Greece through despite defeat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 22, 2004

Sport

Sport - Football

Greece through despite defeat

FARO, JUNE 21. Greece was upset by Russia 2-1 in its last Group `A' match on Sunday, but the Euro 2004 surprise team advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time thanks to Portugal's win over Spain in the other group game.

Greece and Spain finished level on four points and tied 1-1 in their head-to-head game. But Greece advanced because it scored more goals. Greece scored four and conceded four, while Spain's overall score was 2-2. Portugal won the group with six points.

Striker Dmitry Kirichenko split the Greek defence with a good run in the second minute to score the fastest goal in European championships history and give Russia a 1-0 lead.

Dmitri Bulykin made it 2-0 in the 17th minute, after he was left unmarked to head in a corner kick from the near side. Zissis Vryzass narrowed the lead in the 43rd minute, tucking in a vital goal for Greece from close range.

``People might say we didn't need this victory,'' said Russia coach Georgy Yartsev. ``I think we very much needed it. The Russian soccer needed it. Look at how many rookies we had.''

The Russians were unfettered by any pressure and their play was for the most part fluid and attractive, coming mostly from counter-attacks.

Vryzas had an early chance for Greece on the turn in the box, his shot was too tame and off target.

Kirichenko, who was having a great start, almost won a penalty in the 10th minute, after he tried to slip in front of Georgios Seitaridis, but referee Gilles Veisseire waved play on.

Angelos Basinas was denied by some good goalkeeping from Viacheslav Malafeev, who dived to parry the midfielder's low shot around the wall.

Andrey Karyaka could have scored for Russia soon after but he blasted over the top of goal alone before the 'keeper.

Less than a minute later, Angelos Charisteas did the same on the other end.

Vassilis Tsiartas had the first chance after the interval with a toothless shot from outside the box that was easily picked up by Malafeev. Then Kirichenko had two chances, one of them with a spectacular overhead kick that went wide.

Substitute Dmitri Sychev also had two chances in succession, a long-range shot smothered by goalie Antonis Nikopolidis and a header from the ensuing corner kick that went wide. Zagorakis blasted a half-chance right after over the bar from a distance on the other end.

Kirichenko, who was running rings in the Greek defence, was on hand again for Russia with 15 minutes to go, whipping a powerful shot from a distance into the safe hands of Nikopolidis.

The last 15 minutes saw a desperate Greek outfit trying to beat the stubborn Russian defenders. Tsiartas, a free-kick specialist, showed his skills with a curling shot from about 30 metres out, forcing Malafeev to claw the threat with a dive to the right for a corner kick.

Kirichenko was close again in three minutes from time after Vladislav Radimov went on a swift run down the far flank, but his lunging attempt to connect on the perfect low cross was easily cleared out of danger.

Line-ups:

Russia: Viacheslav Malafeev, Alexander Anyuokv, Roman Sharonov (Dmitry Sennikov, 55th), Alexey Bugaev, Vadim Evseev, Rolan Gusev, Vladislav Radimov, Andrey Karyaka (Igor Semshov, 46th) 45th), Dmitry Alenichev, Dmitri Bulykin (Dmitri Sychev, 46th), Dmitry Kirichenko.

Greece: Antonios Nikopolidis, Stylianos Venetidis (Panagiotis Fyssas, 89th), Traianos Dellas, Mihalis Kapsis, Georgios Seitaridis, Angelos Basinas (Vasilios Tsiartas, 42nd), Theodoros Zagorakis, Dimitrios Papadopoulos (Themistoklis Nikolaidis, 70th), Konstantinos Katsouranis, Angelos Charisteas, Zisis Vryzas. — AP

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport