Italy ‘rob’ Greece of win

A last minute penalty robbed Greece’s U-19 of a full three points on opening day of the 2008 U-19 Championships in the Czech Republic. The Greeks, led by a youthful, but highly skilled squad including starlet Sotiris Ninis controlled the tempo for most of the game, but a last minute falter held Greece to a 1-1 draw with Italy.

Greece, who lined up with a strictly domestic lineup, looked to trouble the Italian offense with tight defense in the midfield. The Greeks grabbed most of the early chances; Giannis Papadopoulos tested the Italian keeper, but the shot was pushed aside for a corner. A dozen minutes later and Greece broke the deadlock. AEK player Michalis Pavlis played a give and go with Sotiris Ninis, and the AEK striker broke free of the tight Italian defense. Holding off one of the Italian defenders — being pulled on at the same time — Pavlis played the ball beautifully and with his left foot curled the ball around the Italian keeper. It stayed 1-0 for Greece for quite sometime. Giannis Papadopoulos continued to pressure the keeper into tough saves, as he fired from all around the box. The game proved to be a tight defensive affair with the midfield being very congested. The Italians had attacks of their own, but the majority were sent wide. Italy had another chance late in the match but the shot was sent wide of the Greek goal. The match was reaching its end when Italy was awarded penalty after Kyriakos Papadopoulos brought down Andrea Poli. Alberto Paloschi fired the ball down the middle of the goal. It was definitely a devastating blow for a Greek team that deserved the win. In the group’s other match, the Czech Republic over came England on home soil.

Greece’s next match is against the hosts, Czech Republic, while England look to improve against a ‘lucky’ Italian side. For now the Czech Republic top the group with 3 points, Greece and Italy follow with 1 point each, and England sit in the basement with no points to their name.