Greeks upset group favourites

Greece 1 Spain 1

Greece caused another Euro 2004 upset, albeit not as shocking as their opening day victory over hosts Portugal, when they came from goal down to hold Group A favourites Spain.

Fernando Morientes put Spain ahead in the first half with an outstanding goal but Otto Rehhagel’s side stuck doggedly to their task and grabbed an equaliser through striker Angelos Charisteas midway through the second period.

The hard running, grafting style which got Greece to these finals was instantly evident, with Spain hounded into moving the ball quickly - even across their back line.

Greek skipper Theo Zagorakis was lucky not to be booked in the fourth minute for a foul on Vicente, while Raul was clattered to the pitch two minutes later and Katsouranis was not so lucky, with an instant yellow card from referee Lubos Michel.

Spain’s Carlos Marchena was booked 11 minutes later for sending Georgios Karagounis flying on the touchline.

But in the midst of all the graft, Joseba Etxeberria found space to show his skills while Ruben Baraja’s positioning and distribution shone out.

Bolton’s Stelios Giannakopoulos went into the book for clattering Etxeberria on 23 minutes and Karagounis was yellow carded three minutes later for a foul on the same player and will be banned for the next game.

Greece struggled to contain the skill of the Spaniards and they capitulated in the 28th minute when Morientes produced a fine goal.

Raul’s backheel presented him with the opportunity but he still had to show neat footwork before drilling the ball past Antonios Nikopolidis.

Greece were unfortunate not to equalise on 33 minutes when Zisis Vryzas’ fierce volley from inside the box hit team mate Angelos Charisteas when it seemed to be heading goalwards.

On 37 minutes, Ivan Helguera was cautioned for a foul on Vryzas in what was becoming a fractious game and Karagounis and David Albelda had to be pulled apart.

The Greeks fought hard to get back into the game and clever skill from Vryzas created a shooting chance, but the ball flew well over the crossbar.

Bolton’s Stelios Giannakopoulos went into the book for clattering Etxeberria on 23 minutes and Karagounis was yellow carded three minutes later for a foul on the same player and will be banned for the next game.

Greece struggled to contain the skill of the Spaniards and they capitulated in the 28th minute when Morientes produced a fine goal.

Raul’s backheel presented him with the opportunity but he still had to show neat footwork before drilling the ball past Antonios Nikopolidis.

Greece were unfortunate not to equalise on 33 minutes when Zisis Vryzas’ fierce volley from inside the box hit team mate Angelos Charisteas when it seemed to be heading goalwards.

On 37 minutes, Ivan Helguera was cautioned for a foul on Vryzas in what was becoming a fractious game and Karagounis and David Albelda had to be pulled apart.

The Greeks fought hard to get back into the game and clever skill from Vryzas created a shooting chance, but the ball flew well over the crossbar.

Spain brought on Real Betis winger Joaquin for Etxeberria at the break.

Greece continued their fightback when Karagounis cracked a dipping 25-yard volley which just cleared the bar.

But the Greeks Giannakopoulos in the 48th minute – the Bolton midfielder limping off with a muscle strain while Atletico Madrid’s striker Themistoklis Nikolaidis took over.

AEK’s Vasilios Tsiartas replaced Karagounis in the 51st minute before Zagorakis fired in a 20-yard effort which Iker Casillas pulled down.

Morientes then wasted a great chance to double Spain’s lead when he rose unmarked at the far post to head over a Joaquin cross.

Zagorakis finally went into the book for a bad lunge at Morientes after 60 minutes before Joaquin created another decent chance with a cross Raul just failed to reach.

Morientes needed treatment and did not return, allowing Valeron into the action on 64 minutes, to the delight of the Spanish fans.

But just as Spain started to feel they were safe, the Greeks hit back with a goal in the 66th minute.

Tsiartas’ fine ball found Charisteas on the left of the box and he raced into the area to hit a rising shot which deflected off Casillas high into the net.

Nikopolidis made a stunning save from a fierce Baraja header as Spain pushed to regain the upper hand.

Valeron could have been a hero again when he controlled a Joaquin corner and struck a fierce volley from 12 yards out that crashed into a mass of bodies and was then cleared.

Spain brought on the young, powerful Fernando Torres for Raul on 80 minutes as they pushed for a winner.

Four minutes from the end, Greece introduced Stylianos Venetidis at the expense of Panagiotis Fyssas.