Russia v Greece - PREVIEW
Greece on verge of history
Otto Rehhagel's Greece are just one point away from reaching the Euro quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
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| Greece's head coach German Otto Rehhagel (C) celebrates with his players, 16 June 2004 at Bessa stadium in Porto, at the end of their team's Euro 2004 group A football match against Spain at the European Nations championship in Portugal. The match ended in a 1 to 1 draw. AFP PHOTO Francois Xavier MARIT |
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Greece play Russia on Sunday and require a draw to progess into the last eight and leave Portugal and Spain to battle it out for the right to join them.
It would mark a real turnaround in fortunes for Greece who had not won a match in a major finals before their shock 2-1 triumph over hosts Portugal on the opening day.
"We have not achieved anything yet," warned 65-year-old Rehhagel.
"Everyone is saying we are through but that is not the case."
Rehhagel, known as 'King Otto' after winning two German championships, two German Cups and the UEFA Cup with Werder Bremen in a 14 year reign, can expect royal treatment when he returns to Athens if his side can finish the job.
It would also help Greek fans to forget the 1994 World Cup nightmare when they lost all three matches in the United States.
The Greek prime minister has already invited the German manager for a cup of coffee after the competition but that could stretch to champagne if Greece continue their progress.
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| Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas (R) misses the equalizer kick of Greece's forward Angelos Charisteas (L) as Spain's defender Carles Puyol looks on, 16 June 2004 at Bessa stadium in Porto, during their Euro 2004 Group A football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Dimitar DILKOFF |
Russia picked up the unwanted accolade of becoming the first team to exit Euro 2004 but vowed not to lie down for a third successive defeat.
"Those who think we will just stroll around in this match are mistaken," warned coach Georgy Yartsev.
"We need goals and points at this Euro for the fans."
Greece must do without Bolton midfielder Stylianos Giannakopoulos through injury and Georgios Karagounis who is suspended.
Greece top the table with four points, the same as Spain, and could even go through if they lost to Russia and Portugal just draw with the Spanish as the deciding factor for teams finishing on the same number of points is their head to head match.
Teams
Russia: Malafeev - Anukov, Sharonov, Bugaev, Evseev - Gusev, Radimov, Kariaka - Alenichev (cap) - Bulykin, Kirichenko
Coach: Georgy Yartsev
Greece: Nikopolidis - Seitaridis, Kapsis, Dellas, Venetidis - Zagorakis, Basinas - Charisteas, Katsouranis, Papadopoulos - Vryzas
Coach: Otto Rehhagel
Referee: Gilles Veissiere (FRA)