Wed Jun 18 17:14:30 2008

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Spain sends Greece home winless

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Salzburg, Austria (Sports Network) - Ruben de la Red and Daniel Guiza scored in the second half as Spain rallied for a 2-1 win Wednesday over Greece, which was already eliminated but finished last in Euro 2008 after winning four years ago.

Spain joined Croatia and the Netherlands as unbeaten, untied group winners, and plays Italy in the quarterfinals Sunday in a meeting of the two highest-ranked teams in the Euro finals.

Spain (3-0-0) is ranked fourth by FIFA and Italy, which defeated France 2-0 on Tuesday to advance as the second-place team from Group C, is ranked third.

Angelos Charisteas scored in the 42nd minute for Greece (0-3-0), which avoided ending the tournament without a goal. Spain joined Turkey as the only teams to overcome a deficit in the tournament - Turkey has done it twice.

Russia defeated Sweden, 2-0, on Wednesday to claim second place behind Spain in Group D. Russia plays the Netherlands in the quarterfinals Saturday.

Greece snapped its tournament-long scoring drought in the 42nd minute on a free kick. Georgios Karagounis delivered the ball from the top left of the area, and Charisteas ran into space in the middle of the box near the penalty spot.

Charisteas drove a header into the left side of the net past Spain goalie Pepe Reina, who made his first start in place of Iker Casillas, for his 19th goal in international games.

Greece's defense and veteran goalie Antonis Nikopolidis, who was playing in his final international match, couldn't repeat the success that carried the team to the title in 2004.

Greece won three straight 1-0 matches in the knockout stages in 2004. but Spain was able to rally even with seven players making their Euro 2008 debut.

After Xabi Alonso just missed scoring in the 54th minute when he hit the inside of the left post, De la Red scored the equalizer in the 61st.

Guiza assisted on the goal when he got under a long pass deep inside the area and headed back to De la Red. De la Red unleashed a rocket right at Nikopolidis but he could only get a slight deflection with his arm and the ball sailed into the back of the net. It was De la Red's first international goal.

Greece had its best - and last - chance to score again in the 63rd minute when Charisteas headed just over the bar from a tough angle.

Guiza, who led the Spanish La Liga in scoring last season, just missed the game winner in the 85th but scored three minutes later. Sergio Garcia crossed from the left side and Guiza stepped away from a Greek defender to the far post to head the ball past Nikopolidis.

Spain extended its winning streak to nine games and is unbeaten in its last 18 overall. Greece became the first defending champion to end the next tournament without a win or draw.