Euro 2008: Greece 0-1 Russia (Match Report and Video)

Greece went into this game knowing that if they lost they were out of the competition after the current holders lost by two goals to Sweden in a rather uninspiring game. Russia didn’t have a very good start, either. They lost by three goals to Spain in their first game, getting outclassed and not looking too good.

As the game kicked off and got under way, it was fairly dull, Greece were slowing the game down (as they do) and trying to force mistakes out of Russia who weren’t having any of it. Both the teams had good opportunities in the first half, forcing both goal keepers to make some good saves.

But suddenly the game livened up, both teams pressuring, and after thirty four minutes of the game, a goal keeping blunder by Antonis Nikopolidis put Konstatin Zyryanov to slot the ball in to the net from close range to give his Russian side the lead.

In the second half the game livened up even more, Greece knowing they had to score just to stay in the competition, and they had a couple of good opportunities, the best of which was a simple lob for Charisteas, but he kicked it straight to the Russian keeper’s hands.

Russia regained control and Greece struggled to make any real impact on the game. Russia came extremely close to scoring when a shot was smashed in to the side netting after a surging run from Pavlyuchenko.

Then, once again, Greece started playing again, forcing a couple of good saves out of Igor Akinfeyev, shooting a good chance over the bar and having a goal disallowed for an extremely close off side decision, but they failed to utilize on these brilliant chances.

Overall, a very entertaining game, and after Russia scored both teams looked energetic, but it is too late for current holders Greece who took Europe by storm in 2004, and they crash out of Euro 2008, knowing they really should have done better.

This result means that Spain come top of the group, regardless of the results on the final group stage matches. It also means that Sweden are in a very good position for getting through, knowing that just a draw against Russia will send them through with Spain.

Final Score:
Greece 0 – 1 Russia

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Comments June 15th, 2008

Euro 2008: Spain 2-1 Sweden (Match Report and Video)

Both teams went in to this game knowing that a win would qualify them for the knock out stages, after both teams won their initial game. Spain were expected to win after convincingly beating Russia by four goals to one in their fist game, where as Sweden played an extremely boring game with Greece and won by luck by two goals to nil.

As expected, Spain took control of the game. The Swedes tried to counter, but didn’t get very far, and Spain looked very likely to score. And they did just that. A short corner caught Sweden out, as the ball reached Silva, who played a little chip into the box for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres to sneak in front of his marker and prod the ball home with his outstretched foot.

It looked like Sweden were going to do exactly what the Netherlands did last night, with an attack straight from the kick off leading to a shot which so nearly snuck in at Iker Casillas’ near post.

Then Sweden scored. Ibrahomavic turned neatly away from a sliding tackle, before neatly slotting the ball into the goal, although Casillas really should have saved it, the ball literally trickled over the line. Suddenly both teams looked very energetic and Spain should have had a penalty in stoppage time when Silva was clattered from behind the ball had even reached him! The Spanish players were understandably infuriated, but they managed to cool their anger until half time so that they didn’t get booked.

In the second half Sweden dominated for most of the time, but after sixty minutes Spain got three fantastic opportunities in under a minute as Isaksson saved and defenders blocked oncoming shots.

Then, in stoppage time David Villa scored a goal to put Spain in front, when a ball was playing in the box, Villa neatly converted it giving the Manchester City and Swedish goal keeper no chance of stopping it.

Altogether a good game, and Spain are now through to the quarter finals. They maybe could have done more, but will be pleased with the win. Now Russia, Greece and Sweden will all have to fight it out for that crucial second place.

Final Score:
Spain 2 – 1 Sweden

Watch the GOALS:

Comments June 15th, 2008