Greece eliminated from Euro 2008 after 1-0 loss to Russia

The Greeks needed at least a draw to stay in contention in Group D, but Konstantin Zyryanov's 33rd-minute goal, combined with Spain's 2-1 win over Sweden, left the surprise 2004 champions with nothing to play for in their third and final match.

The result also put Spain into the European Championship quarterfinals.

Zyryanov's third international goal in 14 appearances came after Sergei Semak had acrobatically collected a long cross from Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and sent it back across goal, with goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis chasing the loose ball.

Greece nearly equalized in the 87th when Angelos Charisteas knocked the ball into an empty net, but Fanis Gekas had been whistled for offside.

Spain leads Group D with six points, and is assured of playing in the knockout round no what happens against Greece on Wednesday in Salzburg.

Russia and Sweden play at the same time in Innsbruck with one of the two advancing.

Greece became the fourth defending champion to be eliminated from the first round of the European Championship.

Germany was knocked out at the same stage in both the 1984 and 2000 tournaments, and Denmark followed up its remarkable run to the title in 1992 by going out in the first round in '96.

The Greeks dropped their five-man defence from the opening match in favour of a more attacking formation.

And even though the defenders were playing far more forward than usual, the Greeks failed to create any great opportunities to score in the first half.

Source: By DDNEWS