Euro 2012: Russia-Greece game will be tough, says Pavlyuchenko

WARSAW, POLAND – JUNE 11: Roman Pavlyuchenko (R) of Russia during a UEFA EURO 2012 training session at the National Stadium on June 11, 2012 in Warsaw, Poland.

Moscow, June 15 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian forward Roman Pavlyuchenko thinks that Saturday’s game against Greece will Russia’s toughest test in the group stage.

A win for the Russians Saturday would guarantee a quarterfinal place as group winners, while Greece must beat Russia to stand any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.

“The upcoming game will be even harder for us than the previous ones against the Czech Republic and Poland,” Pavlyuchenko said on the Russian Football Union website.

“The match against Greece is a battle for the quarterfinals. They need a victory, we need a victory. In fact, the knockout stage begins Saturday.”

Greece’s aggression and determination made Russia’s task even harder, he said.

“This is a combative, tricky team that is no easy opponent for anyone.”

The match will take place at the National Stadium in Warsaw, with Poland facing the Czechs in Wroclaw at the same time.

In its first two games in Group A, Russia thrashed the Czech Republic 4-1 and drew with Poland 1-1.