SM
Newcastle vs. West Ham: 15 hrs 3 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Match Analysis: Euro 2012: Greece 1-0 Russia

:Headline: Match Analysis: Euro 2012: Greece 1-0 Russia: ID:31105: from db_amp
Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between Greece and Russia in Group A.

Giorgos Karagounis's strike for Greece on the strike of the interval secured their spot in the latter stages of Euro 2012 at the expense of Russia.

Russia needed just the singular point to advance this evening, and it would be difficult to find someone who thought that they wouldn't gain just that.

However, Greece had other ideas and pulled off one of the shocks of the tournament to move into second spot in Group A.

Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two Group A rivals.

Greece Statistics:
Shots: 7
On target: 2
Possession: 40%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 5

Russia Statistics:
Shots: 28
On target: 13
Possession: 60%
Corners: 12
Fouls: 10

Was the result fair?

Everything from possession, to shots, to corners will tell you that Russia dominated all aspects of the match. However, there was something to be admired from Greece's spirit and they defended heroically in the second period. However, if the match was played 10 times, Russia would win nine.

Greece's performance?

What the Greeks lacked in flair, and ability, they made up for with heart and pure desire. They aren't the best side to watch, nor the most talented. However, they battled their way through the match.

Russia's performance?

So much possession, so many shots, but it just wasn't enough. It was almost as if they were happy to coast and try and take a point from proceedings. However, football rarely works that way, as has been demonstrated this evening. Their 16-match unbeaten run has also come to an end.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Georgios Samaras: It is no understatement to say that the Greek striker has been subject to almost every joke of the tournament thusfar. He isn't the most decorated, or most the technically gifted, but boy did he run his socks off this evening. He battled, he won fouls, he ran for every single ball.

Referee performance

To be honest, Jonas Eriksson had a bit of a horror show. His worst offence was his decision to award Greek skipper Karagounis a yellow card for diving when he had been clearly felled in the area by Russian defender Sergei Ignashevich.

Biggest gaffe of the game

It would have to go to Russia's Sergei Ignashevich. The defender made a hash of a header and presented the ball straight to Karagounis - who sent his team into the lead.

What next?

Greece: Greece have booked their spot in the quarter-finals following the win. They secure second spot in Group A. Meanwhile, Czech Republic top the group.

Russia: Home. It seems quite extraordinary that we are saying goodbye to Russia following their impressive start to the tournament. But that's football.

amp_article__31105 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2012-06-18 21:12:24:
html db last update - 2012-06-18 21:12:24 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .