Russia Vs. Greece: Watch Live Stream Online of Euro 2012 Encounter; Probable Lineups, Prediction, Preview
When and where: The final round game in Group A kicks-off from the National Stadium in Warsaw at 2.45 p.m. ET. Coverage will be provided by ESPN2, with a live stream available on ESPN3.
Preview: Russia has been among the most impressive teams thus far at Euro 2012. Yet, it could all count for nothing if they switch off and fall to defeat against a Greek side desperate for victory.
A win or draw and Russia will be safely into the last eight, but a loss, combined with a victor in the group's other match, would see Russia on their way home. But, given their form thus far in Poland, Dick Advocaat's side should be looking to secure a victory that should see them avoid an unwelcome match with Germany in the quarter-finals.
After an opening game salvo to beat the Czech Republic 4-1, Russia looked to be ensuring an early passage to the next phase as they led Poland 1-0. But Jakub Blaszczykowski's stunning strike took the shine off what was another encouraging performance.
Russia's front three was again the vital component to their play. While Alan Dzagoev has grabbed the headlines with three goals in the tournament to date, the creativity of Andrey Arshavin and the movement of Alexander Kerzhakov have also been instrumental to Russia's success.
There remains a doubt about a defense lacking in pace, but it is unlikely that Greece will be the team to exploit that weakness.
The Greeks have been insipid in both first-half displays, notably against the Czech Republic where they were thoroughly outplayed. But it is to the credit of the players, and coach Fernando Santos' half-time substitutions, that they have at least produced an upturn in performance levels after the break.
A similarly lackluster start against Russia, though, and their hopes of getting the win they need to progress could be all but dashed before the interval even arrives.
A Greek backline badly exposed by the Czechs will at least welcome back Sokratis Papastathopoulos after serving a one match ban for his dismissal against Poland. His return means that Kostantinos Katsouranis can return to his regular role in front of the back four. Missing, though, will be goalkeeper Costas Chalkias, who was forced off injured in the first-half against the Czech Republic.
Santos may consider replacing left back Jose Holebas after his poor showing last time out, while Theofanis Gekas should lead the line having got the goal to get Greece back into the contest with the Czechs.
Greece (probable)
G: Sifakis
D: Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Papadopoulos, Holebas,
M: Maniatis, Katsouranis, Karagounis.
F: Salpingidis, Gekas, Samaras
Russia (Probable)
G: Malafeev
D: Anyukov, Berezoutski, Ignashevich, Zhirkov
M: Shirokov, Denisov, Zyryanov
F: Dzagoev, Kerzhakov, Arshavin
Prediction: The only thing that should stop Russia from winning this game and winning it comfortably is complacency. The Greeks will be helped by Katsouranis' return in the midfield but Advocaat's side should have too much quality going forward. There has also been little suggestion that Greece can pose a concerted threat at the other end.
Expect Russia to do their damage early and then take their foot off the gas and coast to victory late on.
Greece 0-2 Russia
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