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Battling Greeks earn draw with Spain
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-06-17 08:43
Greece have continued to upset the odds at Euro 2004, coming from behind to
force a battling 1-1 draw with fancied Spain in their second Group A match.
Spanish coach Inaki
Saez reacts as Greece scored a goal during their Euro 2004 Group A soccer
match against Greece at the Bessa stadium in Porto June 16, 2004.
[Reuters] |
A 66th-minute goal from Angelos Haristeas cancelled out an early strike by
Spain forward Fernando Morientes to leave the Greeks, who pulled off a shock 2-1
win over hosts Portugal in the tournament's opening match, top of the
standings.
"We have a huge opportunity to move into the next stage and the boys must
take it," said Greece coach Otto Rehhagel.
Greece coach Otto
Rehhagel shouts at his players during a Euro 2004 Group A soccer match
with Spain at the Bessa stadium in Porto June 16, 2004.
[Reuters] |
"The Spaniards had a better circulation of the ball and they were pressing us
more but we fought on, took a great risk with three strikers and finally got the
equaliser."
Greece and Spain both have four points from their opening two games and
retain serious hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.
"We played a very good first half and got the goal," Spain coach Inaki Saez
said. "They scored an equaliser that was really a surprise but we continued to
create chances. We didn't have any luck in front of goal but we're on the right
lines."
Spain's goalkeeper
Iker Casillas goes to kick the ball out of the net after Greece scored a
goal to equalise.[Reuters] |
Although Greece's seven-match winning streak in competitive matches ended on
Wednesday thousands of delighted fans remained in the Bessa stadium after the
match cheering their team's achievement.
The two sides, who met in the qualifying competition and each won in the
other's country, played contrasting styles, with Spain largely taking the match
to Greece by attacking down the flanks, while Otto Rehhagel's men were content
to soak up the pressure and counter-attack whenever they could.
After a sluggish start, the game came to life and a draw was ultimately a
fair reflection of play, even though Spain created more scoring chances.
But the outcome means both teams need just one point from their final group
games when Spain play Portugal and Greece face Russia on Sunday to ensure their
places in the last eight.
Spain dominant
Spain's Joaquin (R)
reacts after missing an opportunity to score as captain Raul claps his
hands. [Reuters] |
Initially, though, Spain settled first and dominated the match and Morientes'
goal, his 23rd in his 35th international, was just reward for their
superiority.
Both teams were full of confidence after winning their opening matches but
Spain's was boosted even more after Morientes struck.
Raul, his former Real Madrid team mate, set up the goal after intercepting a
loose ball from Michalis Kapsis on the edge of the box after 28 minutes.
Raul, darting everywhere and causing the Greek defence problems throughout,
back-heeled the ball to Morientes who cleverly made space, gliding past two
defenders before powering a drive past Greek keeper Antonis Nikopolidis.
Greece's goal came out of nothing when a long raking pass from the right by
midfielder Vassilis Tsartas found striker Haristeas, who controlled the ball
well and fired past goalkeeper Iker Casillas for the equaliser.
The match ebbed and flowed between both penalty areas in an exciting second
half.
Raul, named man of the match, had a great chance to put Spain 2-0 ahead
before Haristeas equalised but sent his free header high over the bar.
In the main, though, Spain just about controlled the game and with defender
Carles Puyol and midfielder David Albelda outstanding, Greece were largely
restricted to speculative long-range efforts.
Typical was a 30-metre drive from Greek skipper Theodoros Zagorakis which
just flew past the post.
Winger Joaquin was excellent for Spain after replacing Joseba Etxeberria at
halftime, but Spain failed to capitalise on a stream of dangerous crosses.
The first half proved costly in terms of bookings for both teams.
A second yellow card of the tournament for Georgios Karagounis means he will
miss Greece's next match against Russia on Sunday, while Spanish defender Carlos
Marchena was booked for a late tackle on Karagounis and is ruled out of his
side's game against Portugal.
In all seven players were booked, five Greeks and two Spaniards, and Greece
are likely to be fined by UEFA for incurring so many yellow cards in one
game.
In fact Greece had more players booked than shots on target, but that could
not dampen the celebrations of their players and fans.
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