Greece victorious in Vaduz
Thursday, June 3, 2004
Article summary
Liechtenstein 0-2 Greece Visitors secure win in their final UEFA EURO 2004™ warm-up game.
Article body
Liechtenstein 0-2 Greece
Goals in each half from Zisis Vryzas and Angelos Charisteas gave Greece victory in an international friendly tonight although the visitors failed to find top form in a lethargic display.
Portuguese test
Despite the victory at a rain-drenched Rheinpark stadium in Vaduz, the Greeks failed to impress just nine days before the opening game in UEFA EURO 2004™, when they face hosts Portugal at the Estádio do Dragão in Group A.
First win in three
The result marked a first victory in three games for the visitors, who lost 4-0 to fellow finalists the Netherlands on 28 April before being edged out 1-0 by Poland at the end of the following month. Tonight's victory, in their final warm-up game, concludes Greece's preparations for Portugal.
Reshuffled lineup
Otto Rehhagel's side were without four first-choice players at the Rheinpark stadium in Vaduz – home to FC Vaduz - including striker Themistoklis Nikolaidis and central defender Nikolaos Dabizas, who are both recovering from minor injuries.
Vryzas pounces
It took 24 minutes for Greece, who finished ahead of Spain in qualifying Group 6 to reach the finals, to crack open a tight Liechtenstein defence when AC Fiorentina striker Vryzas pounced on a loose ball after a Vassilios Tsiartas cross.
Jehle to the rescue
Greece captain Theodoros Zagorakis should have doubled the lead five minutes before half-time but his close-range shot was blocked by Liechtenstein goalkeeper Peter Jehle.
Half-time reshuffle
Rehhagel opted to experiment after half-time, reshuffling his lineup to accommodate a more aggressive midfield in the second half with Giorgios Georgiadis replacing Stylianos Giannakopoulos and striker Dimitrios Papadopoulos joining Charisteas up front.
Charisteas converts
SV Werder Bremen forward Charisteas completed the victory when he tapped in with two minutes remaining after Angelos Basinas crossed from the left.
Group A schedule
Following their test against the Portuguese in Porto on 12 June, Greece face Spain on 16 June and finish their Group A campaign against Russia four days later.
