Greeks march on, Russians go home early
Source: Agencies |
June 18, 2012, Monday
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GREECE will go into the Euro 2012 last eight with a sense of pride but must keep a cool head after a roller-coaster group stage saw it move from the brink of elimination to the knockout phase with a 1-0 win over Russia in Warsaw.
Greece coach Fernando Santos said its erratic start - a 1-1 draw with Poland and a 1-2 loss to the Czech Republic in Group A - before its victory against group favorite Russia meant Greece was neither the worst nor the best team.
The Greeks finished in second place level on four points with Russia behind Group A winner the Czech Republic, which had six points, and co-host Poland which came bottom with two.
It only qualified by virtue of a better head-to-head record courtesy of its victory over the Russians.
"We have to clear our heads and keep our feet stuck on the ground so that we can prepare for whatever awaits us in the last eight," said Santos, who took over in 2010 from the revered Otto Rehhagel, the architect of their Euro 2004 triumph. "Beating Russia does not make us the best team in the world and the bad start we had does not make us the worst team either."
The Greeks will come up against the winner of Group B where Germany leads the standings with six points and takes on Denmark yesterday needing only a point to top it. The quarterfinal will be held in Gdansk on June 22.
Greece will have do it without captain Giorgos Karagounis, who scored and also equalled the Greek record of 120 caps on Saturday but was booked and is suspended for one match.
Ended in ignominy
Meanwhile, Dick Advocaat's spell as Russia coach ended in ignominy. The Russians began the tournament like champions and ended it prematurely, two games later, as duds.
Advocaat, who had already agreed a deal to return home to take charge of PSV Eindhoven after the tournament, struggled to come to terms with Russia's departure. Still extolling the Russians' performances, the Dutchman said they "played well" against the Czechs and Poland and had "outclassed" Greece.
"With the staff we worked very hard to have a good team. We were undefeated for 16 games but we didn't win today. That's football. All compliments to Greece," Advocaat said.
Striker Alexander Kerzhakov had a tournament to forget, Andrei Arshavin was inconsistent despite moments of brilliance and the Russians also showed signs of frailty at the back.
"If you don't score goals and your opponent does, then you lose," Advocaat said. "You have to score goals."
Greece coach Fernando Santos said its erratic start - a 1-1 draw with Poland and a 1-2 loss to the Czech Republic in Group A - before its victory against group favorite Russia meant Greece was neither the worst nor the best team.
The Greeks finished in second place level on four points with Russia behind Group A winner the Czech Republic, which had six points, and co-host Poland which came bottom with two.
It only qualified by virtue of a better head-to-head record courtesy of its victory over the Russians.
"We have to clear our heads and keep our feet stuck on the ground so that we can prepare for whatever awaits us in the last eight," said Santos, who took over in 2010 from the revered Otto Rehhagel, the architect of their Euro 2004 triumph. "Beating Russia does not make us the best team in the world and the bad start we had does not make us the worst team either."
The Greeks will come up against the winner of Group B where Germany leads the standings with six points and takes on Denmark yesterday needing only a point to top it. The quarterfinal will be held in Gdansk on June 22.
Greece will have do it without captain Giorgos Karagounis, who scored and also equalled the Greek record of 120 caps on Saturday but was booked and is suspended for one match.
Ended in ignominy
Meanwhile, Dick Advocaat's spell as Russia coach ended in ignominy. The Russians began the tournament like champions and ended it prematurely, two games later, as duds.
Advocaat, who had already agreed a deal to return home to take charge of PSV Eindhoven after the tournament, struggled to come to terms with Russia's departure. Still extolling the Russians' performances, the Dutchman said they "played well" against the Czechs and Poland and had "outclassed" Greece.
"With the staff we worked very hard to have a good team. We were undefeated for 16 games but we didn't win today. That's football. All compliments to Greece," Advocaat said.
Striker Alexander Kerzhakov had a tournament to forget, Andrei Arshavin was inconsistent despite moments of brilliance and the Russians also showed signs of frailty at the back.
"If you don't score goals and your opponent does, then you lose," Advocaat said. "You have to score goals."
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