Czech Greece's Progression

The final group games began with a shock as group favourites Russia were knocked out of the competition by 2004 winners Greece. Co-hosts Poland have also been knocked out after losing to Czech Republic, seeing the Czechs win the group.

In any other competition, it would actually be Russia who went through as they had a better goal difference than Greece. But the Greeks go through because of the better head-to-head record since they beat them in tonight's match. A rule which may leave many Russians feeling aggrieved as they haven't been rewarded for scoring more and conceding less than their counterparts.

Before a ball was kicked tonight Russia looked comfortable knowing that just a point would be enough to put them through. They were also massive favourites to beat Greece, meaning that Russia would be joined by the winner of the other game.

It looked like it was a matter of time for Russia in the first half but out of their 23 shots throughout the game, they only had two on target. Greece only had three shots with the same amount on target. The sucker punch came in first half injury time when a throw was poorly defended by Yuri Zhirkov, allowing Giorgos Karagounis through on goal and the Greek captain atoned for his penalty miss against Poland by blasting the ball into the net.

Aleksandr Kerzhakov was once again picked by Dick Advocaat and again the striker was extremely wasteful, as were the rest of the team. But Russia would still go through via the head-to-head method ahead of Czech Republic as it stood at half-time.

Back in Wroclaw, Poland had much the better chances in the first half. Their three best attempts all hit the side netting as the hosts were unable to break through. The heart breaker came in the 72nd minute when Rafal Murawski placed a pass straight into the path of Tomas Hubschman. This sprung a counter attack with Hubschman playing the ball into Milan Baros. Baros then played the ball into Petr Jiracek who took a touch inside before rolling the ball into the bottom corner. After starting the tournament with a 4-1 defeat, the Czechs win group A and will face the runners-up from the group of death. It's not all good news for Greece though, Karagounis received a yellow card, possibly harshly, for simulation. This means he misses out on the quarter finals. Group table:

Czech Republic     6 -1
Greece                  4  0 (beat Russia 1-0)
Russia                   4 +2
Poland                  3  -1