Euro 2012 Preview: Greece vs Russia

It’s all down to the last set of group games in Euro 2012 and the 2004 winners Greece are on the verge of elimination at the first hurdle as they take on a resurgent Russia in a do or die clash at Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw. Fernando Santos‘ side has accumulated just one point from the first two games as the Greeks come up against an adventurous Russian side that needs just one point to go through. Greece and Russia also met in the group stages of Euro 2004 and 2008 finals, with the latter coming out triumphant each time.

Results in last two matches

Greece showed enough fighting spirit to hold co-hosts Poland in the first game of the tournament amidst an injury crisis but came out empty handed against the Czech Republic in their next game losing 2-1. Injuries to key players and a red card in the first game for Sokratis Papastathopoulos meant the Ethniki had to struggle against the Czechs. On the other hand, Dick Advocaat’s Russia look like repeating their fantastic run to the semi-finals last time in Austria and Switzerland. The likes of Alan Dzagoev, Igor Denisov, Andrei Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko have helped give the side an attacking look with their style of passing and speed. After sending a warning shot to the rest of the competition in their 4-1 demolition of the Czech Republic in their opening game, the Russians produced a steely performance to hold off the challenge of Poland in an emotionally charged game.

Pedigree

The Greeks surprised Europe and the whole world by triumphing against all odds at Euro 2004. Fernando Santos’ side does boast of a valuable experience by winning the Henri Delauney trophy in Portugal but since then have fallen behind in quality and depth. Euro 2008 was forgettable as the Greek challenge ended after the first round and it looks like as history would repeat itself as the current squad face an uphill task in beating Russia on Saturday. Although it was eight years back under Otto Rehhagel, yet there are few senior pros in the side who will pass on that experience to the younger lot come the penultimate game against Russia as Greece look to turn the tables upside down by beating Russia and qualify for the next round via the back door.

Since the break up of the Soviet Union, Russia, as a football nation, struggled repeatedly to shine on the big stage until 2008 when under Guus Hiddink the country finally achieved something that has been long time coming, and that is to qualify for the business end of a major international tournament. Four years ago, in Austria and Switzerland, Russia advanced up to the semi-final stage before losing to eventual champions Spain. Yet a majority of Russian players dominated the Soviet Union side that won the inaugural European Championships in 1960, the only silverware in football to show for. The USSR were runners-up in 1964, 1972 and 1988 as curtains slowly came down on the very existence of the Soviet Union. Subsequent years as Russia turned out to be failure after failure as the team managed only one win in nine finals games in 1992, 1996 and 2004, having failed to reach the finals in 2000.

Head to Head

Russia have played Greece in Euro 2004 and Euro 2008 group stages and were victorious on both occasions. Both the nations met recently in a friendly in November last year and the match ended 1-1. Russia also beat Greece twice in EURO ’96 qualifiers, winning 3-0 in Salonika on 26 April 1995 and 2-1 in Moscow on 11 October. Greece are unbeaten in their two FIFA World Cup fixtures with Russia winning 1-0 in Athens in November 1993 with the previous match in Moscow ending 1-1. The former Soviet Union were victorious in nine of the eleven meetings against Greece.

Current form

Russia

Last five matches

Russia- D W W D D
Jun 12, 2012	Poland 1- Russia 1	EUR’ 12
Jun 08, 2012	Russia 4- Czech Republic 1	EUR’ 12
Jun 01, 2012	Italy 0- Russia 3	INF
May 29, 2012	Lithuania 0- Russia 0	INF
May 25, 2012	Russia 1- Uruguay 1	INF

Greece

Last five matches

Greece- L D W D D
Jun 12, 2012	Greece 1- Czech Republic 2	INF
Jun 08, 2012	Poland 1- Greece 1	INF
May 31, 2012	Greece 1- Armenia 0	INF
May 26, 2012	Greece 1- Slovenia 1	INF
Feb 29, 2012	Greece 1- Belgium 1	INF

Match Prediction

On paper, Russia look like favourites to win the game and confirm their passage to the quarter finals. But with their backs to the wall, Greece will fight till the last whistle and with Sokratis Papastathopoulos returning after one match suspension the defence will be well organised . But Dick Advocaat’s side looks to have enough ammunition to see off the challenge of Fernando Santos’ side.

Russia to win 3-1 or a tight draw would enough to see them through and send Greece home.