Group Elimination A: Saturday, 16 June 2012 - Warsaw - National Stadium

It’s the Ruskies and the Greeks’ time to face off on June 16 at the Warsaw National Stadium.

Russia

Overwhelming favourites by a long shot, Russia is currently on a 12 game unbeaten streak including a 1-1 draw against Poland. They annihilated the Czech Republic during their opener with a 4-1 victory. Russia has a much better squad than all three teams within Group A and the line-up includes well-known defenders Yuri Zhirkov and AlekseiBerezutski.

Much criticism goes largely to Russia’s manager, former Dutch player Dick Advocaat who has put far too much time in developing the team’s defensive side instead of cultivating the strong goal-scoring line-up. The choice of formation and positioning will have a huge effect on the Russians’ performance as the tournament progresses. So far, not bad but a 1-1 draw with Poland proved that the team missed out on several opportunities that could have led to a swift victory.

Greece

A 1-1 draw with Poland and a 1-2 lost to the Czechs has put the Greeks in a very tight spot. Now on the 16th of June they will be facing the strongest team in Group A, the Russians. Best remembered for their outstanding performance during Euro 2004, Greece has been a fixture in recent major tournaments since then but with varying degrees of success. The Greeks did well in the qualifying stages of Euro 2012 finishing at the top of the Group F ladder above the likes of Croatia, Isreal, Latvia, Malta, and Georgia winning 7 games and have 3 draws.

However, a low tally of goals has put Greece in the category of being a mainly defensive unit. Russia has a stronger attack than the Greeks and this can put the team in a hard situation. It’s up to keyplayersGiorgiosKaragounis, the team captain have 116 caps to his name and Theofanis Gekas to put their experience and brilliance to work.

Predictions: Russia wins 1-0

In terms of individual qualities, Russia ranks much higher. They also excellent keepers, so does Greece, but they are one up on the attacking aspect. Greece has shown their best and their worst since the start of the qualifiers up to the Group stage, but sorry to say, the worst side is happening during the recent matches and Russia is by far, the superior team. But since Greece has an above average defence, let’s give the Russians only that much.

Euro Cup 2012 Highlights: Russia stunned by Greece 1-0

Greece can be proud of their national team after pulling off a stunning upset over the heavily favored Russian team.

With history repeating itself, it was a goal by one of their heroes from the Euro 2004 triumph captain Giorgos Karagounis that delivered victory to a country which is wilting under the pressures of the euro zone crisis with high unemployment and swingeing cuts.

Russia's despair was complete as a 72nd-minute goal by Petr Jiracek gave the Czech Republic - who were beaten by the Greeks in the Euro 2004 semi-finals - a 1-0 victory over co-hosts Poland to finish top of the table, sending both the Russians and the Poles home.

Polish coach Franciszek Smuda promptly announced that was the end of the road for him, while Russia's Dutch coach Dick Advocaat had perhaps wisely already said he was leaving for PSV Eindhoven.

Karagounis's joy at his goal was tempered later in the game by a booking that brought an anguished reaction from the 35-year-old as it means he will miss the quarter-final.

However, he reflected afterwards how much this victory meant to the wider Greek community.

"When we left Greece, we all said in one voice 'we will give everything and we will give everything when our compatriots aren't having the best of times'," said Karagounis.

"I believe that this tonight puts a smile on their faces."

For Greece's Portuguese coach Fernando Santos this victory was inspired by Greece's rich history as a country.

"What inspires us is the history of Greece," said Santos, whose 45percent pay rise before the tournament raised eyebrows.

"This is the thing that inspires me the most because the Greek people have huge pride for their tradition and history and I think respect from everyone is well deserved.

"Everyone has to respect Greeks because of their will and determination". "Greece believed in themselves when the world didn't."

EURO 2012: Greece vs Russia Timeline

• 90+4' - Full-time! The final score is 1-0.
• 90+4' - Alan Dzagoev for Russia gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
• 90+4' - Jose Holebas for Greece has been booked by Jonas Eriksson and will miss the next match due to a suspension.
• 90+3' - At National Stadium Warsaw Andrey Arshavin (Russia) takes a corner from the Left.
• 90+3' - Pavel Pogrebnyak for Russia has been booked by Jonas Eriksson and receives a first yellow card.
• 90' - At National Stadium Warsaw the fourth official shows that 4 minutes will be added to the Second half.
• 90' - Russia's Igor Denisov gets in a shot but it is blocked by a Greece defender.
• 90' - Russia push forward at National Stadium Warsaw and Roman Shirokov gets in a great header. The attempt is cleared by the Greece defence.
• 90' - Corner awarded to Russia.
• 87' - Greece's Kostas Katsouranis is back in action after a slight knock.
• 86' - Play has been resumed at National Stadium Warsaw.
• 86' - Play has been interrupted briefly in Warsaw to check on Kostas Katsouranis, who is grimacing with pain.
• 84' - Alan Dzagoev's header is off-target for Russia.
• 83' - Fernando Santos is making the team's Third substitution at National Stadium Warsaw with Sotiris Ninis replacing Dimitris Salpingidis.
• 82' - Russia's Roman Pavlyuchenko gets his shot away but it misses the target.
• 82' - Corner awarded to Russia.
• 81' - Russia make their Third substitution with Marat Izmailov replacing Aleksandr Anyukov.
• 75' - Russia push forward through Igor Denisov, whose finish on goal is saved.
• 75' - Russia have been awarded a corner by Jonas Eriksson. Andrey Arshavin steps up to take it.
• 74' - At National Stadium Warsaw Andrey Arshavin (Russia) takes a corner from the Right.
• 73' - Igor Denisov (Russia) gets in a strike but the shot is blocked by a defender.
• 72' - Pavel Pogrebnyak is on a sub for Denis Glushakov for Russia.
• 70' - Alan Dzagoev (Russia) has been booked and will miss the next match due to a suspension.
• 70' - Georgios Tzavellas (Greece) strikes – and hits the bar! Ohhhh so close!
• 69' - Yuri Zhirkov (Russia) has received a first yellow card.
• 68' - In Warsaw Andrey Arshavin for Russia takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
• 68' - Jonas Eriksson has awarded Russia a corner. Andrey Arshavin takes the kick from the Left .
• 67' - Fernando Santos (Greece) is making a Second substitution, with Grigoris Makos replacing Georgios Karagounis.
• 64' - Jose Holebas is on a sub for Fanis Gekas for Greece.
• 61' - Aleksandr Anyukov (Russia) has been booked and must now be careful not to get a second yellow card.
• 61' - Georgios Karagounis (Greece) has been given a yellow card and will be suspended from the next match.
• 60' - Jonas Eriksson has awarded Greece a corner. Georgios Karagounis takes the kick from the Right .
• 59' - Corner awarded to Greece.
• 57' - Russia's Igor Denisov gets his shot away but it misses the target.
• 54' - Roman Pavlyuchenko of Russia gets in a strike, but is off target.
• 51' - Russia's Roman Shirokov misses with an attempt on goal.
• 51' - Greece are pushing forward but Georgios Samaras's finish is wide of the goal.
• 46' - Russia make their First substitution with Roman Pavlyuchenko replacing Aleksandr Kerzhakov.
• 46' - Jonas Eriksson has blown to start the second-half.
• 45+3' - The first-half is over.
• 45+2' - Goal! Georgios Karagounis gives Greece a 1-0 lead.
• 45' - The fourth official's board shows 2 minutes, which will be added to the First half.
• 45' - Russia have been awarded a corner by Jonas Eriksson. Andrey Arshavin steps up to take it.
• 45' - At National Stadium Warsaw Andrey Arshavin (Russia) takes a corner from the Right.
• 45' - Russia push forward at National Stadium Warsaw and Roman Shirokov gets in a strike. This is blocked, however, by a determined Greece defence.
• 41' - Yuri Zhirkov for Russia gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
• 40' - In Warsaw Yuri Zhirkov for Russia takes a corner from the Right-hand flag.
• 40' - Russia push forward at National Stadium Warsaw and Denis Glushakov gets in a strike. This is blocked, however, by a determined Greece defence.
• 37' - Russia's Aleksandr Kerzhakov gets in a shot but it is blocked by a Greece defender.
• 37' - Russia are coming forward and Sergey Ignashevich gets in a strike, it misses the target, however.
• 31' - Russia's Denis Glushakov breaks free at National Stadium Warsaw. But the strike goes wide of the post.
• 25' - At National Stadium Warsaw Andrey Arshavin (Russia) takes a corner from the Left.
• 25' - Important block from the Greece defence as Roman Shirokov fires in a strike for Russia.
• 20' - In Warsaw Russia attack through Andrey Arshavin. The finish is off target, however.
• 19' - Alan Dzagoev for Russia drives towards goal at National Stadium Warsaw. But the finish is unsuccessful.
• 18' - Russia drive upfield and Yuri Zhirkov gets in a shot. The strike is blocked by a Greece defender.
• 17' - In Warsaw Andrey Arshavin for Russia takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
• 16' - Jonas Eriksson has awarded Greece a corner. Georgios Karagounis takes the kick from the Left .
• 13' - Russia's Aleksandr Kerzhakov misses with an attempt on goal.
• 12' - Alan Dzagoev of Russia gets in a strike, but is off target.
• 11' - Aleksandr Anyukov has recovered and rejoins the match in Warsaw.
• 10' - Andrey Arshavin of Russia smashes in a shot on target. The keeper saves, though.
• 10' - Greece’s Fanis Gekas is on his feet again at National Stadium Warsaw.
• 8' - Play has been resumed.
• 7' - The match has been stopped briefly for attention to the injured Fanis Gekas.
• 7' - Aleksandr Anyukov is down and play has been interrupted for a few moments.
• 7' - Vasilis Torossidis (Greece) goes for goal but the shot is blocked by an alert defence.
• 6' - Corner awarded to Greece.
• 6' - In Warsaw Greece drive forward through Kostas Katsouranis. His shot is on target but it's saved.
• 6' - Greece have been awarded a corner by Jonas Eriksson. Georgios Karagounis steps up to take it.
• 3' - Dimitris Salpingidis for Greece is whistled offside.
• 1' - The first-half is just kicking off.

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