Greece clinch 2-1 win over Portugal

Goal.com/LGR - Wednesday 26th 2008f March 2008

Both Greece’s goals were scored with free-kicks -one in each half- by Giorgos Garagounis, who incidentally was the scorer of the opener in Dragao’s game.

Greece 2-1 Portugal

From both sides, players and coaches insisted that this game would have nothing to do with the ties between Portugal and Greece for EURO four years ago. However, the run of the game in Düsseldorf proved them all wrong as just like in Dragao in the opening game of the 2004 finals, Greece opened the scoring in the first and doubled their advantage in the second with the Portuguese only earning some late consolation.

Nuno Gomez pulled one back for Scolari’s men but that was not enough for them as Otto Rehhagel’s boys hold on firmly until the final whistle

The first-half was mostly a midfield affair that saw the Portuguese controlling the pace but nonetheless without much of success as the Greeks were those who had the chances and managed to open the scoring.

The goal for the defending champions came after 32 minutes of game and as in the opening game of the last EURO, four years ago, Giorgos Karagounis was again the scorer. Panathinaikos’ midfielder with a well-balanced free-kick sent the ball over Portugal’s barrier and into the net of helpless Ricardo.

Angelos Charisteas could have broken the deadlock first but twice in the opening stages of the match failed to beat the Portuguese custodian. His header after five minutes of game was too weak for the advancing Ricardo, who did the same trick again two minute later when he ran to the edge of his area to prevent Charisteas from finding space to attempt a lobe to his unguarded net.

With Karagounis, though, he couldn’t do much.

Nonetheless, the same patter was repeated after the recess too, with Portugal having the ball possession but with Greece finding the back of the net.

On the hour-mark, Karagounis again, with a copy-cut of his opener made it 2-0, with the Portugues managing only to pull one back through captain Nuno Gomez, who slotted in from close range.

However, with the two coaches eager to experiment in new tactics the game lost its pace, something that favored Greece, who were left to retain their advantage until the final whistle.

Michael Paterakis

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