UEFA Euro 2008 tournament: Spain beats Greece 2-1

(BEIJING, June 19) -- Spain defeats Greece 2-1 in a Group D match at UEFA Euro 2008 tournament on June 18.

The match didn't matter much, since Spain had a quarterfinal slot in hand, while Greece lost the opportunity of progressing. .

Angelos Charisteas 's header in the 40th minute gave Greece a 1-0 lead, which came as a consolation for the defending champion who had lost two previous matches, as well as hopes of advancing. Charisteas ran to the other end of the pitch to celebrate with goalie Antonis Nikopolidis, who would retire from international football after this match is over.

But the Greeks' excitement did not last that long. Ruben de la Red scored home in the 61st minute for Spain.

Daniel Guiza' found the net with a header in the 88th minute and sealed Spanish's victory, which left Nikopolidis, as well as another Greek veteran Paraskevas Antzas' last international show, end in regret.

The match ended 2-1. The defending Champion Greece suffered a miserable UEFA Euro tournament with three consecutive defeats. With 9 points, Spain advances to the knockout stage and they will take on Italy this June 22 in Vienna.