体坛英语新闻：Russia through, champions bow out without win at Euro 2008

SALZBURG, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Russia beat Group D rivals Sweden2-0 to clinch the last berth of Euro 2008 quarterfinals while holders Greece bowed out without a win after losing 2-1 to Spain on Wednesday.

    Roman Pavlyuchenko and Andrei Arshavin scored in the 24th and 49th minutes, availing Russia of a deserved win in Innsbruck.

    As runners-up of Group D with 6 points, Russia will next face Group C winner Netherlands on Saturday.

    In a dead rubber match at Salzburg, Daniel Guiza's late winner granted Spain, already qualified as group winners, one hundred percent record into the last eight.

    The Primera Division leading scorer grabbed his maiden international goal two minutes from time, spoiling Greece's hopes of exiting with heads high.

Sweden's Fredrik Ljungberg (Up) is stumbled by a Russian player during Euro 2008 Group D football match at Tivoli Neu stadium in Innsbruck, Austria, June 18, 2008. Russia won 2-0

Greece, the 2004 shock winners, had been knocked out after opening two defeats but Angelos Charisteas opened scoring in the 42nd minute to give the defending champions their first goal in this year's tournament.

    Ruben de la Red smashed in a ferocious volley 16 minutes after the restart to level the score for Spain.

    Luis Aragones' men went into domination in the second half with Greece keeper Antonis Nikopolidis being kept busy.

    Daniel Guiza nodded a long ball back for Ruben to thunder a slot in as Nikopolidis only got his finger tips to direct the ball off the underside of the bar and into the net.

    Xabi Alonso then let fly from fully 30 meters and beat all ends up but unfortunately the ball rebounded the inside of the post and out for a throw in.

Sweden's Olof Mellberg (L) vies with Russia's Roman Pavlyuchenko during Euro 2008 Group D football match at Tivoli Neu stadium in Innsbruck, Austria, June 18, 2008. Russia won 2-0.

It was Guiza who sealed the victory. Sergio Garcia crossed for the Marlloca front man who ghosted unmarked in to head past Nikopolidis from close range.

    "We've learned much from the World Cup 2006," said Aragones. "Now we know how the tournament will go. But we'll play Italy in quarterfinals and they are very tough opponents."

    "We were not so good before the break. But in the second half, we played very well and very intelligent," he said.

    Russia had levelled on three points with Sweden but sat behind on goal difference, meaning Guus Hiddink's side would be eliminated should the game at the Tivoli Neu Stadium end in anything but victory for them.

    Fortunately for Hiddink, Zenit St. Petersburg playmaker Andrei Arshavin was available for the first time in this 24-day tournament after serving a two-match ban and the Dutch man sent him to the pitch to sharpen the offensive edge.

Russia's players celebrate scoring during Euro 2008 Group D football match against Sweden at Tivoli Neu stadium in Innsbruck, Austria, June 18, 2008. Russia won 2-0.

Arshavin proved his offensiveness by repeatedly penetrating Sweden's defense line and created many opportunities.

    In the 24th minute, Spartak Moscow playmaker Pavlyuchenko got a super pass from midfielder Aleksandr Anyukov in Sweden's area, and scored with ease, making Russia on the favorable place.

    Their second goal came from a rapid counterattack.

    Similar to the first score, midfielder Yuri Zhirkov delivered asuper pass from the left side of the area, gifting Arshavin of an easy shot.

    Sweden's best moment emerged in the 43rd minute as Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic played a one-two with captain Ljungberg, but the low shot was denied by Russian goalkeeper Akinfeev.

    Akinfeev made another brave save two minutes later by knocking out Mikael Nilsson's shot on the left of the area.

    Russians found more opportunities later on as Konstantin Zyryanov's long-range shot hit the post and Pavlyuchenko missed the target while facing an empty net.

Russia's Roman Pavlyuchenko (L1) celebrates for scoring with his teammates during Euro 2008 Group D football match against Sweden at Tivoli Neu stadium in Innsbruck, Austria, June 18, 2008.

"This is a huge win for a side still under construction, with lots of young players and some experienced players," said Hiddink after the match.

    "It gives me real pleasure to work with them, in the course of the past three weeks these youngsters have learnt a lot," the 61-year-old said.

    Sweden coach Lars Lagerback admitted that Russia were the better team.

    "Russia has a very good team, has played really good football," he said.

    "After the first loss, we have tried to equalize, then we have the second. Today we were not good enough as a team," he added.