vs

This match bears no significance result wise: no matter what the outcome may be, Spain will, as group D winners, play in the quarterfinals against group C second-placed team, which could be France, Italy or Romania. It won’t be easy so it is clear why Luis Aragones wishes to change the whole squad and rest his starters.

We should expect a combined line-up with most of the reserve players on the pitch. A victory over Sweden has cost Spain dearly; Puyol got injured and it is not yet sure if Barcelona captain will recover for the quarterfinals.

Greece have put an end to their defending of the title after only two games, having lost to Sweden and Russia so they will in each case end up last in group D. They gave somewhat better performance against Russia than in the clash with Sweden but they failed to score which is the main problem of this disappointing squad, though most of the experts agree that even the qualification for EURO was a success.

Rehhagel got the best of the squad in the qualifications; the squad is old and they lack the warrior spirit from 2004. This is the chance for the fans to say goodbye to the legendary keeper Nikopolidis who is retiring.

He was responsible for the goal from Russia so Greek media didn't have consideration about what he has done for the national squad... he was exposed to harsh criticism.

Head-to-heads

Greece and Spain have met on nine occasions with one win for Greece and six for Spain. The sole Greece victory came in qualification for Euro 2004, a 1-0 win in Spain. They met again at the tournament itself in 2004, the match ending in a 1-1 draw.

Their last meeting was in a friendly in August 2007. Spain won 3-2 in Greece after going 2-1 behind, Silva scoring the second and third goals for Spain.

Team facts - Greece

Guaranteed to finish bottom of Group D which equals the worst performance by the defending champions in the competition since the group phase was introduced in 1980. The only other defending champions to finish bottom of their group were Germany in 2000. 1984 winners France failed to qualify for the 1988 tournament.

Elimination from the competition means that there is still no team who have successfully defended their European title. It also marks the third time in four competitions that the defending champions have not made it through the group phase.

The only country yet to score at Euro 2008. Denmark (2000) were the last team to fail to score at a European Championship.

Team facts - Spain

On a streak of eight straight wins and will equal their best ever international winning run with a victory against Greece. They can also equal their best ever streak of seven straight wins in competitive matches with a victory against Greece.

Unbeaten in 18 matches (16 wins and two draws) since losing to Romania (0-1) in November 2006.

Lost four of their 50 matches under head coach Luis Aragones. Those four defeats were against France (1-3), Northern Ireland (2-3), Sweden (0-2) and Romania (0-1).

Player facts - Greece

Giorgios Karagounis has received five yellow cards at the European Championship and shares the record for most yellow cards at the tournament with Gheorghe Hagi (Romania), Pavel Nedved (Czech Republic) and Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy).

Giorgios Seitaridis can equal this record if he receives a yellow card.

No player from Greece has ever been sent off at the European Championship.

The five players from Greece who have one yellow card at Euro 2008 will not be suspended if they receive another against Spain, as the rule only applies to this competition only.

Player facts - Spain

David Villa is now Spain's record goal scorer at the European Championship with four goals. He is also top scorer for Spain at European Championships and World Cups combined with seven goals, and the leading marksman of Euro 2008 after two matches with four goals.

Carlos Marchena will miss Spain's quarter-final on 22 June if he receives a yellow card against Greece.

Probable Line Up :

Greece : Nikopolidis, Spiropoulos, Dellas, Kyrgiakos, Vyntra, Amanatidis, Katsouranis, Basinas, Patsatzoglou, Charisteas, Salpingidis

Subs : N. Liberopoulos, I. Goumas, P. Antzas, K. Chalkias, G. Karagounis, S. Giannakopoulos, A. Tziolis, G. Samaras, V. Torossidis, A. Tzorvas

Injured : Seitaridis, Gekas

Manager: Otto Rehhagel

Spain : Reina, Arbeloa, Albiol, Juanito, Navarro, García, Alonso, De la Red, Iniesta, Fabregas, Guiza

Subs : C. Puyol, Casillas, Xavi, Capdevila, A. Palop, Marchena, F. Torres, M. Senna, S. Ramos, D. Villa, S. Cazorla, D. Silva

Manager: Luis Aragonés

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