EURO - Greece v. Russia
2:45 PM ET
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Starting XI
Russia 4-3-3:
Malafeev, Anyukov, Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Zhirkhov, Shirokov, Denisov, Glushakov, Dzagoev, Arshavin, Kerzhakov
Subs: Pavlyuchenko, Akinfeev, Sharonov, Granat, Izmailkov, Pogrebnyak, Semshov, Kombarov, Nababkin, Kokorov
Greece 4-3-3:
Sifakis, Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Papadopoulos, Tzavellas, Katsouranis, Maniatis, Karagounis, Sapingidis, Samaras, Gekas
Subs: Papadopulos, Tzorvas, Malezas, Liberopoulos, Mitroglou, Holebas, Ninis, Fetfatzidis, Makos, Fotakis, Fortounis -
Barely coming into this match, Greece need to get something more done than what they accomplished thus far. Against the Czech Republic, the side allowed two goals in the opening six minutes, and have only shot eight times on goal in two matches. Papastathopoulos is back after his suspension, while starting keeper Chalkias is out with a muscle injury.
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Group leaders Russia need three points to qualify for the quarterfinals. A draw could put them up against Germany in the next round. Co-leader for goals at the tournament, Dzagoev should do well against Tzavellas down his right wing, but be sure it won't be about passing today for the CSKA Moscow attacking midfielder: it's all about goals you'd think.
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We're about 10 minutes out from the start of the match at the National Stadium in Warsaw. Samaras getting nervous? No goals in two starts for the Celtic man and only two shots on target. One would still think this match could prove different for the striker, at least one could only hope.
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Any idea what Greece's tactics will be today? They've sat back well enough so far, but that hasn't proved decent enough. A lack of counterattacking had them up against it against the Czechs. Gekas starts this afternoon, which could prove intelligent but he's still up against the likes of Ignashevich and Berekutsky in the middle of Russia's back four.
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2 min: Greece immediately set themselves up down the middle of the pitch, looking for Samaras to knock on for Gekas. Nothing doing and Russia take control passing about. This is a somewhat patient side; however, when they play in their final third everything seems to go out the window. Lots of shots from well out, or at least attempts on net.
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8 min: Anyukov and Gekas bong about after a second Greece corner. A bit of a head clash, nothing more. Great physical stuff to start this match. Very well done by Greece to push their weight around now. Anyukov is slow to his feet but he's up and walking. Bit of a break now.
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10 min: Greece is making no attempts to slide down their right wing to face Zhirkov. Samaras is able to handle the ball on his left side of the pitch and cross. No one there but chances are afoot. Russia now take back a bit of possession and push down the right flank. A lot more passing from Russia and the pitch seems to be widening.
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14 min: Arshavin's loving life at the moment. First to balls, willing to run with possession and look for the simple pass, and still running at goal without the ball. Well done from the captain. Kerzhakov has a shot at goal but it's just wide and high. The Zenit striker needs more touches.
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16 min: Greece is doing well to lull Russia asleep by playing the wings and then playing down the middle. Not the strongest tactic but the pitch is growing in size for the Blue-Whites. Ever the counterattacking side, Russia needs to take care of the massive gap in the middle. Now yet another corner for Greece.
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20 min: Despite the hair, Samaras is looking fantastic at the moment. Very willing to defend, he's even more willing to run the length of the pitch with the ball. A weak attempt on goal by Maniatis gets Russia on the counter ending in a shot on Sifakis. Not the greatest but it's a shot on goal. Good enough for now.
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24 min: Samars is getting stuck having to defend well back. This can't be good for any Greece counterattack. Probably why there haven't been too many of them just yet. Greece right now seems happy to get rid of the ball from their own half and defend. This is perfect football for Russia. The patient Advocaat system is now settling.
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26 min: Russia continue to play just outside the centre of the pitch on their right side. A narrow pitch is useless for the side with enough gazelles in the starting XI to start a wild game reserve. Russia continue to run and run at Greece. Zhirkov isn't given the ball now, instead Arshavin looks to Dzagoev and Shirokov to play about.
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28 min: Nothing physical or even noteworthy from Greece at the moment. Waiting on set pieces can't be good enough for the side to come out on top. No one is taking chances. No one is creative enough to push through Russia's midfield. Everything continues to hinge on Samaras and Gekas.
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30 min: Katsouranis and Maniatis have settled into a defensive role now. Two good midfielders stuck defending? This can't be what Fernando Santos wants from his side. He's certainly cutting a frustrated figure on the touch line. The only counter the side can muster is off an errant pass that Gekas chases down and then is pushed off the ball.
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32 min: One man worthy of note is Greece left-back Tzavellas, who has done well to curb any of Dzagoev's creativity. Off a good defensive kick about by Tzavellas, Greece get off on their own counter. A lob here and another one there is opening up space for the side around Malafeev's box, but nothing concrete.
