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Greece stumble in Salzburg

June 11th, 2008 | By: Peter Katsiris | 16 Comments »

Greece’s title defense got off to a bad start last night in Salzburg. Greece opened their EURO 2008 campaign against Scandinavian side, Sweden. It appeared that Greece were going to rely on their tactics of 2004 to help them pick up three points; but this time their tactics weren’t a success.

The game opened up with both sides exchanging rushes, which produces limited chances. An early yellow card was shown to Aggelos Charisteas, but eight minutes later he was able to find his way through the Swedish defenders; sadly his shot rolled into the arms of Isaksson. Moments later, Sweden’s Svensson sent a volley over the Greece goal. The limited chances continued to slowly pour in at either end.

A frustrated Georgios Karagounis during the Greece v. Sweden match in Salzburg, Austria. The best chance of the half came when a cross was met by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a header was lobbed over Nikopolidis and eventually over the Greece net. At the there end, Angelos Basinas let a bouncing shot rip; but Isaksson pushed it aside. 0-0 at the half.

The second half started with Theofanis Gekas subbed out for Georgios Samaras. Despite the change, Greece made limited impact in the attacking zone; opting to play the cautious passing game in their own half. Georgios Karagounis has Greece’s best chance, after intercepting a Swedish pass; but his attempt at goal were blocked by the Swedish center backs. In Greece’s end, the Swedes were able to win a throw in; a sloppy defense was exposed, and a slick passing play allowed Ibrahimovic to capitalise. 1-0 for Sweden.

Moments later, Sweden was back at it again. Ljungberg was denied by a solid save by Nikopolidis, but the rebound made its way to Ibrahimovic who rocketed it up in the air. The ball bounced awkwardly in front of the goal, and a clutzy Petter Hansson slots the loose ball past Nikopolidis, with his knee.

The game ends 2-0, and a disappointing defeat for the Greek side. The defending champions will look to regroup against Russia — who lost 4-1 to Spain earlier in the day.

Squads:

Greece (5-4-1): Nikopolidis - Seitaridis, Kyrgiakos, Antzas, Dellas (Amanatidis 71‘), Torosidis - Charisteas, Basinas, Katsouranis, Karagounis - Gekas (Samaras 46′).

Subs not used: Chalkias, Tzorvas, Patsatzoglou, Spiropoulos, Vintra, Goumas, Giannakopoulos, Tziolis, Salpingidis, Liberopoulos.

Sweden (4-4-2): Issakson - Alexandersson (Stoor 74’), Mellberg, Hansson, Nilsson - Wilhelm son (Rosenberg 77’), Svensson, Ljungberg, Andersson - Ibrahimovic (Elmander 72’), Henrik Larsson.

Subs not used: Shabaan, Wiland, Majstorovic Granqvist, Dorsin, Linderoth, Kallstrom, Sebastian Larsson, Allback.

Scoring Summary:

Sweden 2:0 Greece

Ibrahimovic, 67’, Hansson, 71’

Cautions:

Greece: Charisteas, 1’, Seitaridis, 52’, Torosidis, 62’,

Sweden: none

Referee:

Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)

Tags: 2-0, Charisteas, EURO 2008, Greece, Group D, Hansson, Ibrahimovic, Karagounis, Nikopolidis, Russia, Seitairidis, Spain, Sweden, Team News, Torosidis

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Comments

By Soccer Delirium | June 12th, 2008 at 6:10 am

Greece will do better against Russia. I wouldn’t be surprised if they won the next two games to make into the quarter-finals.

By Neutral | June 12th, 2008 at 7:17 pm

Was the greek “effort” the most boring ever? Yes. Is “Gof” Rehhagels’s dynasty soon over? Hope so.

Posted from Sweden

By Neutral | June 12th, 2008 at 7:18 pm

Correction: “Gof”=”God”.

Posted from Sweden

By nick | June 12th, 2008 at 7:54 pm

Greece looked to relaxed. They did not attack enough and passed to ball around to the defenders. They should have launched the ball forward more and given it to Charisteas, Samaras, and Amanatidis. There was not enough in the midfield as well. Karagounis and Katsouranis were not as active as they were in 2004.

I was very dissapointed in the Greek team and tactics. If they dont improve their game they will surely bow out in the first round.

Posted from United States

By AJ | June 12th, 2008 at 9:53 pm

I hate this team with a passion and hope they lose. European Chumps.

Posted from Canada

By colman1860 | June 13th, 2008 at 12:03 pm

If you hate Greece so much, why do you come on here to comment? Get a life…

Posted from Canada

By greecewillgothrough | June 13th, 2008 at 10:10 pm

Greece-Russia 2-1
Greece-Spain 1-0 or 1-1 and hope that they go through on goals (If Sweden loses by enough). Why is it that defensive-minded teams are labeled as boring if they lose and gritty if they win? AJ you are an idiot and Greece will make you eat your words, malaka.

By greecewillgothrough | June 13th, 2008 at 10:11 pm

You too Swedish boy. Ibra sucks the rest of the way and you guys don’t even go through.

By AJ | June 14th, 2008 at 5:07 pm

greecewillgothrough, you incompetent fool, I’m waiting for Greece to make me eat my own words. Didn’t think so. Maybe before you give your verdict to others, you should be the one eating your own words. Russia certainly did that for you today and boy was it sweet.

Posted from Canada

By matarro | June 14th, 2008 at 10:52 pm

GREECE IS OUT!!
Thanks god for that.they only get what they deserve….they just prove them selfs that they got nothing when comes to football,they prove that euro 2004 was just a FLUKE,also they couldn’t qualify for the 2006 world cup and now they were left behind from this euro.Congratulations u morons keep up with what u are good at “fetta cheese” and “Greek salads”
The all world knew that u guys are just a bunch of chickens with out heads but some how u believed that u were good what a joke.
remember the quick way home is by plain….

By Russian exile | June 15th, 2008 at 3:16 am

I don’t know what you mean by a fluke… winning a Euro is even harder than winning a world cup. in WC, you might only face 1 Brazil or Argentina, and who knows what can happen in a single game.. and in Italy’s case, they didn’t have to face either!

sure Greece didn’t qualify for 2006, but that’s harder to do than you think. In 2002 Turkey was 3rd place, in 2006 they didn’t’ even make it. England didn’t make it to EURO 08, and so forth. Greece more than proved they weren’t just some push-overs by qualifying with more points than ANY over of the 16 teams.

Tournaments are tough. There is a whole lot of pressure and distractions. Look at France & Italy, 1 loss & 1 draw to each of them. Had Greece had players like Ribery, or Del Piero, they would have at least a draw as well…

point is, go fuck yourself. I love Greek food and want to go there some day. I was stupid not to go to Athens during 2004 Olympics

Greece is an old place like Israel… you feel like you’re part of history just standing there. and all Mediterranean lands are very beautiful

Posted from United States

By musab | June 16th, 2008 at 6:00 pm

Alright go easy on the Greeks. For the next couple of days, there still the European Champs. Greece is a very beautiful country and has great relations now with us Turks. So my point is, lay off and respect one another.

Posted from United States

By renata | June 22nd, 2008 at 5:00 pm

I’m greek living in Athens.SO….I’m referring to all of you that…. hate Greece and greek national team.You should know that you underestimate yourselves by saying that you hate a country.Don’t forget, when we were writing history and civilization ,most of you(not all of you)were barbarians , and still are, on trees arguing with monkeys who the hell is gonna win the coconut.As a matter of fact when do you think you will be able to come down?And last question:has your country ever got European championship?I can guess though…..NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.Kisses to all of you wether you like or…dislike Greece.

By Fucker Of Greeks | July 2nd, 2008 at 6:00 am

Russia is way better than greece! Fuck Greece!Most Boring team i Ever watched!

From Russia With Love!

By lais | July 16th, 2008 at 4:25 pm

@Fucker of Greeks,

you malaka, watch out, the biggest ever GREEK FUCKER is coming, SOTIRIS NINIS,
watch out you asshole, malakoboukoma.

Posted from Greece