Greece vs. Russia

[SportSavant]

Euro 2008 Betting Preview
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on">Greece</st1:country-region> vs. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Russia</st1lace></st1:country-region>
Saturday, 2:45 pm Eastern – ESPN 2<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on">Greece</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Russia</st1lace></st1:country-region> meet on Saturday in the Soccer Betting Euro 2008 action in what is really an elimination game in Group D. The loser would almost assuredly have no chance to advance to the quarterfinals. <st1:country-region w:st="on">Greece</st1:country-region> is the defending European Champion but they did not start well in their first match, losing 2-0 to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Sweden</st1lace></st1:country-region>. "Our aim is to get four or six points from these next two matches.” <st1:country-region w:st="on">Greece</st1:country-region>’s Dimitris Salpingidis said, “Our game against <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Russia</st1lace></st1:country-region> is extremely important – if we lose, we are out – that says it all." <st1:country-region w:st="on">Greece</st1:country-region> knows that they must play much better against <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Russia</st1lace></st1:country-region> if they expect to advance from this group. “We promise you that we will be a different team. We can’t tell you if we will win or lose, but we won’t be the same team as against <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Sweden</st1lace></st1:country-region>,” captain Angelos Basinas said. <o></o>

<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Russia</st1lace></st1:country-region> is -.5 (+110) with a total of 2 under (-125) at SBG Global.<o></o>
Three-way line – <st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region> +110, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Greece</st1lace></st1:country-region> +230, Draw +220<o></o>

<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Greece</st1lace></st1:country-region> will be looking to Angelos Haristeas to score on Saturday. He has scored more times than any other active Greek player. He has 18 goals in 66 caps.<o></o>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region> did not play well in their opener either as they were routed by <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Spain</st1lace></st1:country-region> 4-1. The team will need to play much better against <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Greece</st1lace></st1:country-region> if they are to have a chance to advance. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Russia</st1lace></st1:country-region> could be without striker Roman Pavlyuchenko who has a thigh injury. Andrei Arshavin will also miss the game on Saturday due to suspension. They will need Yuri Zhirkov to score on Saturday. He will be their main threat with Pavlyuchenko and Arshavin out of the lineup. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Russia</st1lace></st1:country-region> seems confident they will do well on Saturday. Head coach Guus Hiddink does not look to make many changes. "No, not really. Mainly because we have a young team and we're not one of those national sides where one of the 23 players can replace another and play just as well." he said.<o></o>
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The two teams last met at Euro 2004 as <st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region> won 2-1 in group play although <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Greece</st1lace></st1:country-region> had already advanced at that point. In 1993 <st1:country-region w:st="on">Greece</st1:country-region> drew 1-1 in <st1:City w:st="on">Moscow</st1:City> and won 1-0 in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Athens</st1lace></st1:City>. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Russia</st1lace></st1:country-region> won in 1995 by scores of 3-0 and 2-1.<o></o>

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[GreenDoberman]

Greece looked as bad as any side and showed no signs of offensive aptitude.

Russia was completely carved up by Spain, although they may have opened themselves up a little more after falling behind.

I have several futures tied to Greece being eliminated, so would be happy with a Russian win.

 

[DonDotta27]

Am i the only person that think greece has a chance in this game.. I think they can win this game they have great defnese and russia not havin its to best scorers it gives them a better chance... I think the under is a better bet for this game but i was just looking for some opinions

 

[GreenDoberman]

I certainly wouldn't count Greece out. Would expect them to play a little more agressive than versus the Swedes though since they need a win worse at this time.
In the beginning I bet based on them going three and out and still think that has a decent shot at being the case.

 

[Jack Herer]

Greece's game relies on its defense and then counter attack. This is how they played and won last EURO, with much better players though. I think they have a chance against Russia as long as they don't collapse on defense. Its a tough call, neither showed much in their first game.

 

[-Chase-]

Greece definitely has a shot against Russia, so don't count them out. Not because I think Greece is a good team because I don't, but Russia isn't that good either. Hell, Sweden isn't even really a good team. I think draw is the most likely thing of happening, but the best bet is the under 2.5, even if there is a lot of juice. Greece plays a boring game, but a safe game, so they aren't likely to score more than one, but aren't like going to give up more than 1 either.

I see a 0-0/1-0 game for either side. Russia probably has more on the line because if they win then they control their own destiny with a win over Sweden. Greece has to win and then they have a game against the most talented team in the tourney in Spain, so I don't know how much of a chance they have of moving on even if they do win this game.