Source: Xinhua

06-19-2008 11:22

Special Report:   2008 European Championships

SALZBURG, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Daniel Guiza's late winner sent Spain to a 2-1 win over Greece in their final Euro 2008 Group D game here on Wednesday.

The Primera Division leading scorer grabbed his maiden international goal two minutes from time, awarding already-qualified Spain one hundred percent record in group stage and spoiling Greece's hopes of exiting with heads high.

Greece, the 2004 shock winners, had been knocked out after opening two defeats but Angelos Charisteas opened scoring in the 42nd minute to give the defending champions their first goal in this year's tournament.

Ruben de la Red smashed in a ferocious volley 16 minutes after the restart to level the score for Spain.

While the result would have no bearing on both sides' fates, the Greeks decided to exit with heads high and Giorgos Karagounis' free kick right found the unmarked Charisteas to power a header past Pepe Reina.

Spain's second string team squandered a couple of opportunities towards the break with Cesc Fabregas playing a delightful pass to Sergio Garcia in the penalty area, whose control let him down at the vital moment.

Luis Aragones' men went into apparent domination in the second half with Greece keeper Antonis Nikopolidis being kept busy.

Daniel Guiza nodded a long ball back for Ruben to thunder a slot in as Nikopolidis only got his finger tips to direct the ball off the underside of the bar and into the net.

Xabi Alonso then let fly from fully 30 meters and beat all endsup but unfortunately the ball rebounded the inside of the post and out for a throw in.

It was Guiza who sealed the victory. Sergio Garcia crossed for the Marlloca front man who ghosted unmarked in to head past Nikopolidis from close range.

Greeks, however, also had their chances.

Charisteas could have made a double and regained the lead for Greece but his too acute-angled shot in the 64th minute found the out-side of the post.

Giannis Amanatidis wasted another chance by shooting high over the crossbar.

Neither team could find any fluency in attack in opening minutes while Alonso's audacious attempt in the 23rd minute provided some exciting element in a sold-out Wals-Siezenheim.

The Liverpool midfielder fired a shot from the half-way line, which flied over the bar but sent Greece keeper Antonis Nikopolidis scrambling back towards his goal and colliding with the right-hand post.

Aragones made 10 changes, as expected, with only Andres Inesta keeping his place in the Spanish team for what is a dead rubber.

 

Editor:Xiong