Match № 12

The match № 12, group stage, third tournament day

RUSSIA – GREECE 2:2 (1:1)

January 7th, 2013, Saint-Petersburg, Petersburgsky SCC, 5500 spectators

Referees: Ilya Parfentyev, Alexander Dobrolyubov, Ivan Abrosimov

Russia: Lobantsev, Karavaev (Masyutin, 90), Rebenko (c), Kalyashin, Ermakov (Miranchuk Al., 61), Kurzenev, Morgunov, Koryan (Nabiullin, 83), Lystsov, Miranchuk An. (Efremov, 46), Saramutin

Senior coach: Dmitriy Ulyanov

Greece: Strezos, Nafpliotis (Thanailakis, 90), Myrthianos, Sotirakos (c), Milios (Foukaras, 46), Vouros (Begklektsis, 90), Popovits (Vergos, 53), Deligiannidis, Pasalidis (Aronis, 76), Poungouras, Polimos (Kovatsis, 70)

Head coach: Theodoros Pachatouridis

Goals: Kurzenev (23), Popovits (35), Kovatsis (90), Rebenko (90)

Yellow cards: Deligiannidis (45), Vouros (50), Koryan (55), Polimos (64), Vergos (74), Lystsov (74), Kovatsis (78)

Red cards: Lystsov (80, 2nd yellow card), Deligiannidis (88)

Best players: Stepan Rebenko, Panagiotis Deligiannidis

After match comments

Senior coach of the team Russia Dmitriy Ulyanov:

– I think the game was interesting for the spectators and kept the intrigue till the end. We were dominating for the first fifteen minutes, possessing the ball and leading the game. But then our opponents closed flanges where we had our advantage. We started to play slower and think longer. In the second half Greece became more aggressive. It was not easy for us but we managed to equal the score. I can say that it was the result of the trained scheme and we showed the character of our team. Before the game we planned not to lose in order to have everything in our hands in the next match. If we win – we go further, if not – it's our own fault. Talking about sending off of Lystsov, I think that the referee was right. First yellow card was obvious so was the second.

Head coach of the team Greece Theodoros Pachatouridis:

– The game was good, better than our first match at this tournament. We managed to carry out all the tactics we'd planned before. Team Russia is good in playing in the center; we had to fit in with them. We blocked them in the flanges and could make counter attacks. Though we let in a goal, we were able to confront. In the second half we gained a head start. Unfortunately, we couldn't use our chances to score. It is not the lack of skill, it's a mere bad luck. What for the red card, I don't think the guys wanted to hurt someone. Football is a rough game, and the guys played roughly, that's it.