14th June 2008 – Grp D: Greece vs Russia
Greece – The Greeks were not able to display the cohesiveness of the team that made Champions in 2004. The Greeks were largely contented to sit back and soak up pressure and waiting for the counter attack opportunity which never came. After conceding a goal from Snerijda which came out of no where, they conceded another one 5 mins later. Will that give them some urgency in this game remains to be seen.
Georgios Karagounis (Greece)
Russia – Players don’t show much skill in the opener. Even the goal keeper, touted to be of the same vein as Peter Cech of Chelsea, disappoints. Players took too long to capitalise on a shot on goal until it was quickly clamped down by the oppostion. Roman Shirokov and Sergei Semak conceded that Spain had got the result they deserved as they reflected on an error-strewn 4-1 loss for Russia in Innsbruck.
Sergei Semak (Russia)
Verdict – Both teams played their 2nd game knowing that a victory is a must they were to have any chance of going through the group stage. Russia can win the if they are a little more street wise. They looked evenly matched. A draw would be a fair result. Score: Greece 1-1 Russia.
Market odds: Greece (-0.9), Russia (-1/4, +0.825)
