Euro 2008 Preview: Greece – Russia

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Roman Pavlyuchenko of Russia vs Goran Sablic of Croatia (AFP)

Ties between the two nations have traditionally been strong, mostly on terms of history and religion. But mutual respect and appreciation will be put aside on Saturday evening, as either Greece or Russia will be out of the tournament with another defeat; a draw could virtually see both of them eliminated.  

Major disappointment  

Otto Rehhagel’s side produced the biggest upset of all time in world football when they won the previous European Championship, just under four years ago. And with that 4-1 home drubbing at the hands of perennial rivals Turkey as the only exception, Greece showed throughout this tournament’s qualifying phase that they could at least keep their heads up high this summer too.  

Instead, the defending champions have perhaps been the biggest disappointment in Austria – Switzerland so far. It’s not that they lost 2-0 to Sweden; it’s the way they played. Foreign media, not exactly full of praise for the tactics which allowed the Greeks to stun superpowers such as Portugal, Spain, France and the Czech Republic in the summer of 2004, finally had their reason to slay the Hellenic approach to the game.  

And while Antonis Nikopolidis suggested that Rehhagel and his troops were treated with prejudice both abroad and at home, Greece certainly did a lot to enhance that against the Swedes. The German tactician abandoned the usual 4-3-3 line-up in favour of a super-defensive 5-3-2 formation, with one of the forwards, Angelos Haristeas, virtually spending his time on the field everywhere but in attack.  

Live to fight another day

As high as 8th in the FIFA ranking, their best placing ever, Greece are now with their backs to the wall, even though Tuesday’s defeat was merely their third in a competitive game for three years. Since the Confederations Cup and besides that Turkey loss in March of last year, they were only beaten 1-0 at Denmark on October 8, 2005, a game which all but ended their World Cup aspirations.  

German mastermind Rehhagel was furious with his players and faces a daunting task if he is to reverse Greece’s fortunes in this European Championship. But although surprising the opposition and reporters alike is arguably one of his hobbies, it is widely estimated that he will play it safe again.  

“We promise you that we will be a different team. We can’t tell you if we will win or lose, but we won’t be the same team as against Sweden,” captain Angelos Basinas said.  

Ten encounters with the former USSR and three friendlies put aside, the Greeks may take heart from two of their five previous competitive meetings with the Russians. In 1993 Greece drew 1-1 in Moscow and won 1-0 in Athens to win their qualifying group by finishing two points ahead of… Russia. Both national sides went through to their first ever World Cup final phase, even though the Greeks have failed to repeat that feat.  

Three wins on the trot

However, it was Russia who won their next three meetings, all for the European Championship. In ’95 they emerged victorious both in Thessaloniki (3-0) and Moscow (2-1); and they also beat Greece 2-1 in Faro, Portugal in their latest match-up. In fact, Russia was the only team to win against Rehhagel’s men during that final phase, although they were already eliminated in the last 16 round.  

Guus Hiddink will no doubt be hoping of a victory which will actually count for something more than pride this time. And given his side’s effort against a red-hot Spain, he has good reason to be optimistic, although that 4-1 score-line has been all but flattering.  

Exactly like Greece, Russia could do with nothing short of a victory on Saturday to revive their hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals. But Hiddink could be excused for thinking that playing Sweden in the final group game would not be as daunting a task as Rehhagel’s; Greece face off with La Furia Roja on Wednesday…  

The Russians have lost three of their five last competitive matches and they would not be here if not for that sensational 3-2 Croatia victory over England at Wembley. But they are here and they will fancy their chances, even if it takes Hiddink reshuffling his defense.  

FORM GUIDE  

Greece

6/2/2008 (Fr.)        Finland        2-1 (N)  

26/3/’08 (Fr.)         Portugal       2-1 (N)  

19/5/’08 (Fr.)         Cyprus        2-0 (H)  

24/5/’08 (Fr.)         Hungary       2-3 (A)  

1/6/’08 (Fr.)          Armenia       0-0 (N)

10/6/’08 (EC)        Sweden       0-2 (N)

Russia  

21/11/2007 (EC)    Andorra       1-0 (A)  

26/3/’08 (Fr.)         Romania      0-3 (A)  

23/5/’08 (Fr.)         Kazakhstan  6-0 (H)  

28/5/’08 (Fr.)         Serbia          2-1 (N)  

4/6/’08 (Fr.)          Lithuania      4-1 (N)  

10/6/’08 (EC)        Spain           1-4 (N)  

TEAM NEWS  

Greece  

Rehhagel is tipped to change his line-up, but don’t expect anything dramatic. He will certainly have to do without the injured Kostas Halkias, who’s just completed a rare move across town from Aris Thessalonikis to bitter rivals PAOK. Alexandros Tzorvas, on loan from Panathinaikos to OFI, will be the stand-in goalkeeper, with Nikopolidis once again between the sticks.  

While the three-man midfield will most likely remain unchanged, some alterations are anticipated in defense. Paraskevas Antzas, who was the surprise inclusion in the starting XI against the Swedes, is highly doubtful with a calf strain and Yourkas Seitaridis is struggling to shake off a groin injury. Versatile Hristos Patsatzoglou of Olympiakos Pirea could replace either of them if deemed necessary.  

And as far as the attack is concerned, it remains to be seen whether Rehhagel will drop Yannis Amanatidis of Eintracht Frankfurt, who criticized Greece’s performance in the opening game in an interview with German Focus magazine. Yorgos Samaras, also a sub against Sweden, Nikos Lyberopoulos and Dimitris Salpiggidis are all in with a chance of getting the nod.  

Possible starting XI (4-3-3):  Nikopolidis – Seitaridis (Patsatzoglou / Loukas Vyntra), Sotiris Kyrgiakos, Traianos Dellas, Vasilis Torosidis – Kostas Katsouranis, Basinas, Yorgos Karagounis – Angelos Haristeas, Nikos Lyberopoulos (Salpiggidis / Fanis Gekas), Yorgos Samaras (Amanatidis).  

Russia  

Deprived of the UEFA Cup joint top scorer Pavel Pogrebnyak even before the final phase began, Hiddink may now have to do without his replacement Roman Pavlyuchenko (pictured on the right) either. Spartak Moscow’s centre forward, who’s scored in all three of his last international appearances, including that powerful header against the Spanish, is rated as a major doubt due to a leg injury. And, of course, Pogrebnyak’s Zenit team-mate Andrei Arshavin, perhaps the best Russian footballer today, will sit out this game too because of suspension…  

The Dutch master, who labeled Russia’s showing in their last 16 opener as “naïve”, said that he’s not planning on wholesale changes in his line-up. But the truth of the matter is that his central defensive duo of Denis Kolodin and – particularly – Roman Shirokov was severely criticized after being regularly exposed by the likes of David Villa, Fernando Torres and co. last Tuesday.  

According to reports, the Berezutskiy twins, Aleksei and Vasily, as well as their CSKA Moscow team-mate Sergey Ignashevich are all ready to grab their chance. As for the Kubok holders’ captain, goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev will probably retain his spot, as Hiddink’s three midfielders in the Spain game are all expected to.  

Possible starting XI (4-3-3):  Akinfeev – Aleksandr Anyukov, Aleksei Berezutskiy (Ignashevich), Vasily Berezutskiy, Yuri Zhirkov – Sergey Semak, Konstantin Zyryanov, Igor Semshov – Dmitri Sychev, Diniyar Bilyatletdinov, Pavlyuchenko (Roman Adamov).  

PLAYERS TO WATCH  

Greece – Angelos Haristeas  

One of the most recognizable Greek footballers, and not only for scoring three invaluable goals in the 2004 final phase, including that headed winner in the final against Portugal. The former Aris Thessalonikis youth graduate has been plying his trade abroad for the past six years, enjoying considerable success in both Germany and the Netherlands. He has scored more times on international level than any other active Greek player, 18 in 66 caps, and at 28 he has every chance of breaking the all-time high of 29 goals scored by Nikos Anastopoulos. One of the very few Greeks who actually played well against the Swedes.  

Russia – Yuri Zhirkov  

Perhaps Russia’s MVP against Spain, he’s expected to put Greece’s right -sided players to the test on Saturday. Fast, pacy, skillful, he’s playing as a defender with the national side, although actually a left midfielder – if not a winger. At 24 he’s already tasted success in the UEFA Cup with CSKA Moscow, scoring the all-important second goal in the 3-1 2004-’05 final victory over Sporting Lisbon. He also won the award for the best European Champions League goal of the 2006-’07 campaign, when he netted in a 3-2 loss at HSV. Will certainly be moving abroad soon enough, if they can afford him.  

PREDICTION  

Both sides are smarting following their group D opening day losses and this game promises tension and drama, as only a victory will do for either of them. Russia seem to be the favourites, as it remains uncertain whether the defending champions will have sufficient time to regroup after a disastrous showing against Sweden. If Hiddink’s men manage to take control of the midfield and dictate the game, they will win.  

Greece – Russia 1-2  

Panos Bletsos, Goal.com