MATCH 09 REPORT : CHARISTEAS STOPS SPAIN SURGE

One switch
Greece made one alteration from the side that upset Portugal 2-1, with Konstantinos Katsouranis replacing Angelis Basinas in midfield. There was no room for fit-again Themistoklis Nikolaidis, as Zisis Vryzas and Charisteas kept their places in attack. Spain started brightly but with Katsouranis following Raúl's every move and Theodoros Zagorakis doubling up on right-back Georgios Seitaridis to stifle the threat of Vicente, space was at a premium.

Work ethic
Raúl escaped the attentions of Katsouranis for long enough to pick out Raúl Bravo's run into the penalty area on 14 minutes, but the full-back was denied by a splendid tackle from back-tracking forward Charisteas, epitomising the Greek work ethic.

Morientes opener
The one-way traffic continued as Greece defended in numbers, and Iván Helguera had already squandered a chance from Vicente's free-kick when Spain took the lead on 28 minutes. Mihalis Kapsis lost possession to Raúl on the edge of the penalty area and the Spain captain cut the ball back for Morientes, who jinked inside Katsouranis before striking a low shot past Antonios Nikopolidis.

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