Cagey Greeks go home as Hiddink's men revive hopes

Konstantin Zyryanov
Konstantin Zyryanov scored the only goal of the game, capitalising on an error by Greece goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis. Photograph: EMPICS Sport/PA

The dour carefulness that won Greece Euro 2004 was, thankfully, the decisive factor that knocked them out of this championship at the earliest possible moment. Just as their triumph four years ago was hardly greeted with euphoria across the continent, it is doubtful if there will be much sympathy for this demise.

Even when a goal down here, and with ultimate survival at stake as the hour passed, Otto Rehhagel decided to swap his only dedicated striker, Nikos Liberopoulos, for another, Fanis Gekas. That perpetuated a formation that, although nominally 4-3-3, appeared closer to 3-6-1 and it just did not work.

Not that Russia will care: victory against Sweden, who only need a draw, in their final group game will take them into the quarter-finals. No Russia side, discounting the united Soviet teams, has ever qualified for the knockout stages of a tournament.

Before Greece's insipid 2-0 defeat to the Swedes on Tuesday, the only defending champions to lose their opening match at the next finals had been Czechoslovakia, who went down to West Germany in 1980 (although before the tournament's expansion, not all champions requalified). And, while the Stadion Wals-Siezenheim banged before kick-off, the actual game was about whether Greece or Gus Hiddink's Russia team, who had been routed 4-1 by Spain in their opener, could gain the victory that would offer a fighting chance of reaching the last eight. But could Rehhagel coax a victory from a team who had, essentially, played sideways in that first defeat?

The task became harder after 34 minutes, when Greece keeper Antonis Nikopolidis made a misjudgment, chasing off to the left a ball played across his goal. Sergei Semak, the Russia captain, beat him to it and hooked a cross over his head. It found Konstantin Zyryanov, whose finish was simple.

That strike came in the middle of a prolonged period of Russian domination. After a slow start, the action picked up on 11 minutes when Greek central midfielder Christos Patsatzoglou found Giourkas Seitaridis overlapping down the right. His whipped-in ball demanded a colleague attack it, but Russia keeper Igor Akinfeev collected unchallenged.

Then came a penalty appeal at each end. Greece's shout concerned whether Nikos Liberopoulos had been pulled down illegally. That was turned away. As were Russian claims when Roman Pavlyuchenko's shot hit Traianos Dellas on the arm. Instead, Roberto Rosetti blew for an earlier, rather mysterious infringement.

Greece's best chance of the half came from the boot of skipper Angelos Basinas. His free-kick was missed by everyone but Igor Semshov. It hit the Russia midfielder and bounced beyond Akinfeev, past the open goal and out for a corner.

That came to nothing. And by the time Mr Rosetti blew for the break, Rehhagel had replaced his right-back, Seitaridis, with a midfielder. Georgios Karagounis came on in the 40th minute and took just three more to get booked - all Rehhagel needed with his defending champions staring at oblivion at the earliest stage.

What he also did not want to see was Pavlyuchenko, who had constantly peeled away from any marker in the first half, commencing the second by again finding space, receiving the ball, and taking aim.

Greece's problem, though, was surely a product of that formation. Their defensive three were continually exposed and Rehhagel must accept the blame for a severe tactical misjudgment.

When Angelos Charisteas did put the ball in the net near the end, it appeared Greece had squeezed out another result. But it was ruled offside and all Rehhagel could do was prepare for the inquisition.