Greece through despite defeat by Russia

Russia 2 (Kirichenko 2; Bulykin 17)
Greece 1 (Vryzas 43)

Greece reached the Euro 2004 quarter-finals despite losing 2-1 to Russia in their final Group A match last night.

Portugal's 1-0 victory over Spain sent the Greeks into the last eight with four points from their three matches.

Needing only a draw to guarantee a place in the last eight, Greece made the worst possible start by going a goal down after just 65 seconds.

Striker Dmitry Kirichenko burst through the middle of the Greek defence and fired past 'keeper Antonis Nikopolidis for already eliminated Russia's first goal of the tournament.

The Russians doubled their lead 15 minutes later when unmarked striker Dmitry Bulykin powered home a diving header from a Rolan Gusev corner.

It could have been even worse for the dazed Greeks, but Russian midfielder Andrei Karyaka volleyed a great chance over from close range midway through the first half.

Greece grabbed a lifeline two minutes before half-time when striker Zisis Vryzas pulled one back, making space to chip over goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeyev after Dimitrios Papadopoulous headed the ball down into his path.

The Russians, who came into the match on the back of a record winless streak of nine games at European Championships, continued to play with greater freedom in the second half.

Substitute Dmitry Sychev almost made it 3-1 after 61 minutes but Nikopolidis beat away his shot.

Greece, who beat Portugal and drew with Spain in their first two matches, badly missed injured midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos and the suspended Giorgos Karagounis.

Midfielder Vassilis Tsartas almost equalised for Greece in the 78th minute but Malafeyev did well to save his bending free-kick.

Greece now talk of the world - Zagorakis

Greece captain Theodoros Zagorakis said yesterday's qualification for the Euro 2004 quarter- finals had put his team on the football map.

"It took us some seconds to understand what happened tonight. We fulfiled all our promises. We made Greece not just the talk of Europe but also of the world," Zagorakis said after the 2-1 defeat to Russia.

Greece came back from 2-0 down to get a result which handed them second spot ahead of Spain who lost 1-0 to Portugal. "Obviously we made the worst possible start. I don't understand what happened to us in the beginning of the game but it's the result which counts," Zagorakis said.

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel said his team had nothing to lose now they had reached the Euro 2004 quarter-finals.

"Today there will only be joy, no criticism," he said.

"We have already won everything. Every opponent from now on is a comfortable one. We have nothing more to lose. We will enjoy the success and look forward to the quarter-finals."

Russia: Malafeyev, Yevseyev, Sharonov (Sennikov 56), Bugayev, Anyukov, Karyaka (Semshov 46), Radimov, Alenichev, Gusev, Bulykin (Sychev 75), Kirichenko.

Greece: Nikopolidis, Seitaridis, Kapsis, Dellas, Venetidis (Fyssas 89), Haristeas, Katsouranis, Zagorakis, Basinas (Tsartas 41), Papadopoulous (Nikolaidis 69), Vryzas.

Referee: Gilles Veissiere (France).

HT: 2-1.

Attendance: 30,000.