Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of tonight's Euro 2012 Group A encounter between Greece and Russia in Warszawa.
Russia currently sit atop the group with four points, needing just a draw to book their spot in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Greece need to secure all three points to have any chance of progressing.
Czech Republic and Poland also meet this evening, with the victor likely to join Russia in the latter stages of the competition.
Russia enter the match on the back of a 16-game unbeaten run, while Greece are without a win in their last five games at the Euros.
Note that kickoff is at 7.45pm.
21.44Amazing scenes here tonight! You just cannot write these kind of scripts. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the coverage and stay with us for the remainder of the tournament.
21.40Czech Republic and Greece advance from Group A.
21.40Greece are joined in the latter stages by Czech Republic following their 1-0 win over Poland.
21.40Would you believe it? A captain's goal from Karagounis secures all three points for Greece and books their spot in the quarter-finals. It was Russia who dominated the first period, and most of the second, but they just could not find that elusive strike. That is Greece's first win in the Euros since they won the tournament in Euro 2004.
21.38Greece knock Russia out of Euro 2012
FULL-TIMEGreece 1-0 Russia
90 min+4... again it comes to nothing. Greece are nearly there.
90 min+3Another corner to Russia...
90 min+2Chance for Russia as Zhirkov advances down the left. However, the referee awards a free-kick to Greece.
90 minWe will play four minutes of added time.
90 min... however, it's poor from Shirokov as he heads straight at Sifakis.
90 minSmart turn from Dzageov as he wriggles in the box. Corner Russia...
89 minPatience is the key for Russia as they pass, pass, pass on the edge of the Greek box. Can they score?
87 minHowever, again it is wasted. We have little over five minutes to play here.
86 minPavlyuchenko wins a throw for Russia on the left side of the pitch.
84 minChance! Russia so nearly draw level as Arshavin finds the head of Dzagoev. However, his header is just wide of the post.
83 minIt's poor from Pavlyuchenko as he fires over the bar. Meanwhile, another change for Greece as Salpigidis is replaced by Sotiris Ninis.
81 minNine minutes for Russia to put themselves into the quarter-finals. They need a goal.
81 minChange for Russia as Marat Ismailov replaces Anyukov. Striker on for a defender.
80 minChance! So nearly two for Greece as Salpigidis fires a low cross into the box. However, Torosidis cannot make contact.
78 minAgain Greece clear the danger with Arshavin and Dzagoev around the Greek box. Meanwhile, Samaras has run his heart out for his side today.
76 minRussia have had 23 shots tonight. But just the two on target. Incredible.
76 minCan Russia find a way through this Greek defence? It's wonderful defending as they continue to throw bodies in the way.
75 min... it's lashed in by Denisov, however Sifakis gets down low to make a smart save. It's starting to look a bit desperate for Russia.
74 minCorner to Russia with 15 minutes on the clock...
74 minRussia need a goal here, and they have a penalty shout as Zhirkov is felled by Salpigidis. However, no decision is forthcoming.
72 minCzech Republic have taken the lead against Poland! As it stands, Russia are going home. Meanwhile, Pavel Pogrebnyak has come on for Denis Glushakov for Russia.
70 minOh my word! So nearly for Greece as Tzavelas smashes the crossbar. So unlucky.
69 minMeanwhile, Zhirkov brings down Dimitris Salpigidis on the edge of the box. Free-kick to Greece.
68 minKaragounis is still going mad on the Greek bench. We have just seen another replay of the 'penalty' incident. Oh the injustice.
67 minKaragounis is replaced by Grigoris makos for Greece. Very smart move that.
66 minAgain Russia advance into the Greek box. However, it breaks down with Zhirkov failing to find a teammate.
64 minMore from Pat Nevin: "I'm really surprised Russia haven't picked up the pace. They're just playing their normal passing, hoping things will come their way. They're dawdling along. They have to pick the pace up, I would suggest. They cannot rely on things staying the same in the other game."
63 minChange for Greece as Gekas is replaced by Jose Holebas.
62 minI still cannot get over that moment. It was a penalty, simple as.
61 minOh my word! What has the referee just done? He has booked Karagounis for a dive in the box when he seemed to be clipped by Ignashevich. Karagounis is going mad here, and rightly so.
60 minRussia advance straight down the other end. However, it's strong defending from Greece. They look solid in this second period.
59 minChance! So nearly 2-0 to Greece as Torosidis searches out Gekas in the box. However, it's brilliant defending from Anyukov as he clears the danger for a corner.
57 minAnother chance for Russia as Igor Denisov strikes from distance. However, it just moves high of the bar. It's all Russia here.
55 minIt's really nice build up from Dzagoev and Pavlyuchenko. However, the latter is crowded out around the box.
54 minPavlyuchenko's first chance of the second period is fired horribly wide. You can almost feel Greece scoring another on the break here. That's just football.
54 minMeanwhile, Group A's other match between Czech Republic and Poland remains 0-0. As it stands, Greece and Russia will advance.
52 minAnother Russian chance comes and goes as Shirokov fires over from the edge of the box. It has to come. Doesn't it?
50 minIt's slack play from Arshavin as he gives possession straight back to the Greeks. However, it's optimistic from Samaras he strikes from distance.
48 minAgain it's really smart work from Samaras as he hassles the Russian defence to gain possession of the ball. However, he was clattered for his troubles.
48 minIt's nice and bright from Samaras as he advances into the Russia half and gains a throw-in. However, the ball is quickly back with the Russians.
46 minRussia start the second period in control. But possession stats count for nothing. As they will be all too aware.
46 minHere we go then. What will the second period bring? You would have to expect Russia to get back into this one.
46 minChange for Russia at the break as Pavlyuchenko takes the place of Kerzhakov - no surprise there!
20.45A word from former Scotland winger Pat Nevin: "If you're listening to this game what you really wanted was Greece to score to open up the game to see both teams attacking. I'm already looking forward to the second half. Russia will attack from the first moment. Expect chances. Expect madness. There was an arrogance about Russia from the start. They think they're the bees knees. But they haven't worked hard enough," he told the BBC.
20.35So there we have it. Isn't that just football? Russia completely dominated the opening period of play and perhaps should have lead with chances for Arshavin and Dzagoev. However, a Karagounis strike on the stroke of the interval has given Greece a 1-0 lead at the break. As it stands, Russia and Greece will advance from Group A.
HALF-TIMEGreece 1-0 Russia
45 min+2Oh my word! Greece take the lead with just their second shot of the match as Karagounis converts from close range!
45 min+2GOAL! Greece 1-0 Russia (Karagounis)
45 min+1Chance for Russia on the stroke of the interval. However, Shirokov's effort is high and wide.
45 minWe will play an additional two minutes at the end of the half.
42 minRussia continue to ask all the questions as we enter the latter stages of the half.
38 minAnother chance for Russia as Kerzhahov picks up possession in the box. However, his shot is off-target.
36 minPenalty shout for Russia as Dzageov is felled in the area. However, no decision is forthcoming.
34 minGreece need to take a chance in this one as we near the break. Russia continue to dominate the ball.
32 minStats so far: Russia have had seven attempts. Meanwhile, Greece have had just the one.
30 minTonight's other match between Czech Republic and Poland also remains 0-0.
28 minGekas remains Greece's biggest threat. However, he has been caught offside far too often in this opening half.
26 minNice link play between Shirkov and Kerzhakov. However, it drifts through to the Greek keeper.
24 minStill Russia continue to dominate possession of the ball. They have pinned the Greeks back onto their own box.
22 minRussia well and truly in control of this one as we head towards the mid-point of the opening half. As it stands, Russia top the group.
20 minThe chances continue to fall for Russia and this time it's Arshavin who fires wide.
18 minAnother chance for Russia as Dzageov picks up the ball outside the box. However, he decided to shoot when he might have found Kerzhakov.
16 minChance! Russia so nearly take the lead as Yuri Zhirkov storms down the left side of the pitch. However, his cross is thumped away by Georgios Tzavelas.
14 minCouple of chances for either side in the first 15 minutes of this one. It's been a lively start.
12 minHalf-chance for Russia as Dzageov picks up the ball outside the box. However, his effort is high of the bar.
12 minChance! Opening for Russia as Shirokov finds Arshavin in the box. However, Sifakis pushes the ball to safety.
10 minAgain it's decent play from Greece as Samaras searches out Gekas in the box. However, the Celtic striker's cross is just too long.
8 minHowever, he seems ok to continue as Russia give possession back to the Greeks.
8 minNasty clash of hands leaves Russia defender Aleksandr Anyukov on the deck. Could be a spot of concussion.
6 minChance! Greece so nearly take the lead as Kostas Katsouranis flicks a Giorgos Karagounis corner towards the goal. However, Vyacheslav Malafeev palms the ball to safety.
6 minIt's bright play from Greek defender Vasilis Toreosidis as he advances down the right and gains a corner for his side.
4 minStill Russia look the most likely in the early stages. However, Greece have begun to enjoy a spell with the ball.
3 minA word from former Wales international Robbie Savage on the BBC: "I've seen this group all the way through and Greece's defending is very poor. I expect Russia to win."
2 minHalf-chance for Russia as Arshavin's mis-hit found its way to Roman Shirokov. However, Sifakis is on hand to collect the ball.
1 minIt's Russia who immediately gain possession of the ball, however, it could be a long night for Greece.
1 minHere we go then. Greece start us off.
19.44Handshakes over. Flags exchanged. Let's play some football!
19.42... and the Greek anthem. Their players look incredibly focused.
19.41Here comes the Russian national anthem...
19.39Here we go then. The players are emerging onto the pitch. It's all or nothing for Greece.
19.37Both sets of players remain on the pitch ahead of the encounter. We have less than 10 minutes until kickoff.
19.35What about Russia's stats for the tournament thus far? They have scored five goals from 10 shots on target. Meanwhile, Greece's two goals have come from seven efforts on target.
19.33There have been calls for Roman Pavlyuchenko to be given the striking role. However, Advocaat continues to show faith in Kerzhakov - and who are we to judge him?!
19.31What do we think of the decision to start Kerzhakov this evening? The striker had seven attempts on goal that were off-target against Czechs. He also missed a host of chances against Poland.
19.29Russia also enter this match with a huge incentive. A win will see them top the group which means they will avoid Germany in the quarter-finals.
19.26Meanwhile, Advocaat stated: "In the second half we did not play that great against Poland, but that had to do with losing the ball unnecessarily. The first half was very good. There were not too many chances for either team and in the second half Poland did a lot better. We simply have to get better. Kerzhakov is a player who is going to take his opportunities and he can score a goal out of nothing, even though he may not play that well. He can score goals and has done that his whole career."
19.24A word from Greek boss Fernando Santos prior to the match: "It has been written in the (Greek) press that our team was not well-prepared in the first two matches against the Czech Republic and Poland... but this was not the case. Our players had DVDs of each team we were to face in the group stage during our training camp in Austria (in May). Here (in Poland) we gave to each player, four days before our matches, a dossier with all the general characteristics of each team and also the particular qualities of each player - their strengths and their weaknesses. And we have studied the matches played by Russia in the tournament so far," he told Eurosport.
19.22Russia also enter the match with two players in particularly fine form. Alan Dzagoev has already struck three goals for his country. Meanwhile, five out of Russia's last seven goals at a major tournament have been assisted or scored by Andrey Arshavin.
19.20Greece and Russia have faced off 11 times - with the former Soviet Union national team winning nine of those particular encounters. Russia also defeated Greece in the group stages of both Euro 2004 and Euro 2008. However, their last meeting ended in a 1-1 friendly draw last year.
19.18Tonight's other match sees Czech Republic face Poland. The former will be through with a point. Meanwhile, nothing but three points will be good enough for the Poles.
19.18Meanwhile, Russia can qualify even if they lose. Unless Greece beat them by six clear goals, they progress if the Czechs and Poles draw.
19.16As mentioned, Greece need to beat Russia and hope that the Czech Republic vs. Poland game is not a draw to stand any hope of progressing. If they fail to win, they will be eliminated at the group stages for the third consecutive major tournament.
19.14The nation's next boss will have a six-point deduction from their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, however, following serious crowd trouble involving their fans.
19.14Russia boss Dick Advocaat will stand down at the end of the tournament to become the new boss of PSV Eindhoven, and he will be keen to go out on a high.
19.12Meanwhile, Russia continue with Aleksandr Kerzhakov in attack, with Denis Glushakov replacing Konstantin Zyryanov in the only change.
19.12Greek goalkeeper Kostas Chalkias has failed to recover from a knock and is therefore replaced by Michalis Sifakis. Meanwhile, Sokratis Papastathopoulos is available again after suspension. Giannis Maniatis moves back into midfield at the expense of Georgios Fotakis. Theofanis Gekas replaces Konstantinos Fortounis, while Gerogios Tzavelas replaces Jose Holebas at left-back.
19.10Team News: Russia: Malafeev; Anyukov, Ignashevich, Berezutskiy, Zhirkov; Shirokov, Denisov, Glushakov; Dzagoev, Kerzhakov, Arshavin
19.10Team News: Greece: Sifakis; Torosidis, K. Papadopoulos, Sokratis, Tzavelas; Maniatis, Katsouranis, Karagounis; Salpingidis, Gekas, Samaras
38 minChance! So nearly a chance for Russia as Kershakov finds himself in the box. However, he takes a fresh air shot.
36 minPenalty shout for Russia as Dzageov is felled in the area. However, no decision is forthcoming.
34 minGreece need to take a chance in this one as we near the break. Russia continue to dominate the ball.
32 minStats so far: Russia have had seven attempts. Meanwhile, Greece have had just the one.
30 minTonight's other match between Czech Republic and Poland also remains 0-0.
28 minGekas remains Greece's biggest threat. However, he has been caught offside far too often in this opening half.
26 minNice link play between Shirkov and Kerzhakov. However, it drifts through to the Greek keeper.
24 minStill Russia continue to dominate possession of the ball. They have pinned the Greeks back onto their own box.
22 minRussia well and truly in control of this one as we head towards the mid-point of the opening half. As it stands, Russia top the group.
20 minThe chances continue to fall for Russia and this time it's Arshavin who fires wide.
18 minAnother chance for Russia as Dzageov picks up the ball outside the box. However, he decided to shoot when he might have found Kerzhakov.
16 minChance! Russia so nearly take the lead as Yuri Zhirkov storms down the left side of the pitch. However, his cross is thumped away by Georgios Tzavelas.
14 minCouple of chances for either side in the first 15 minutes of this one. It's been a lively start.
12 minHalf-chance for Russia as Dzageov picks up the ball outside the box. However, his effort is high of the bar.
12 min12 min: Chance! Opening for Russia as Shirokov finds Arshavin in the box. However, Sifakis pushes the ball to safety.
22 minRussia well and truly in control of this one as we head towards the mid-point of the opening half. As it stands, Russia top the group.
20 minThe chances continue to fall for Russia and this time it's Arshavin who fires wide.
18 minAnother chance for Russia as Dzageov picks up the ball outside the box. However, he decided to shoot when he might have found Kerzhakov.
16 minChance! Russia so nearly take the lead as Yuri Zhirkov storms down the left side of the pitch. However, his cross is thumped away by Georgios Tzavelas.
14 minCouple of chances for either side in the first 15 minutes of this one. It's been a lively start.
12 minHalf-chance for Russia as Dzageov picks up the ball outside the box. However, his effort is high of the bar.
12 minChance! Opening for Russia as Shirokov finds Arshavin in the box. However, Sifakis pushes the ball to safety.
12 minCouple of half-chances for both sides in the opening stages of this one. It's been a lively start.
12 minAnother chance for Russia, but Dzagoev can only fire over the bar from outside the box. He might have done better.
10 minChance! Russia's clearest opening as Shirkov finds Arshavin in the box. However, it's a good save from Sifakis.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
