SALZBURG, Austria: Greece's win in Euro 2004 is the kind of miracle that comes around only once every 30 years, said its coach Otto Rehhagel following his side losing its crown on Saturday with a 1-0 loss to Russia in their Group D match.
Greece followed Czechoslovakia in 1980, Denmark in 1996 and Germany in 2000 as defending champions, who failed to make it out of the group stage. But the 69-year-old German said he had always expected it to be difficult.
"We all came here obviously to get the best possible result from the tournament," said the former Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich coach.
"But we were in a group with Spain (who they play on Wednesday and who will finish top of the group) and Sweden.
"We knew it would be difficult. But we did compete here.
"And we will not be the only ones with a big reputation to exit at the first stage.
"Neither France or Italy might make the quarterfinals. A miracle happened in 2004 and a miracle only comes around every 30 years. That is why we call them miracles."
Rehhagel, who was hailed a hero four years ago when Greece beat then holder France in the quarterfinals and host Portugal in the final, earning the nickname "Rehhakles" as a play on words with mythical Greek hero Heracles, said there had been no alternative than to play in a negative fashion.
"It was a very competitive match and we played better than we did against Sweden (they lost 2-0).
"But unfortunately, and this is nothing new, we didn't score.
"It is for that reason we focussed on a tight defense and hitting them on the counterattack.
"We are not a team that scores three goals in every match.
"What I liked was the passion shown by my team, the fact that they played with such heart despite the strength of the Russian side."
Rehhagel said he had not been surprised by the flowing soccer produced by the Russians, who could well have scored a hatful had their shooting been on a par with their creativity.
"I have often taken on Russian sides.
"I know that the Russians are rapid and that their footballers are amazing. Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen can testify to that," said Rehhagel, referring to the fact both the Bundesliga sides were knocked out by Russian outfit and eventual champion Zenit Saint-Petersburg in the UEFA Cup last season.
Russia coach Guus Hiddink said his team's win over Greece was the result of some tough sessions with his squad.
Having branded his team naive after a 4-1 defeat by Spain in its first Group D match, the Dutchman said it had now proved that it could step up to the mark.
"I'm very proud of the team. We had some good sessions and some tense sessions caused by me ... to see how the players would react," he told a news conference.
"I am happy with the reaction because the result from tonight is a consequence of good football but based on everyone doing his job defensively very well."
"They showed tonight that they know what international high-standard football is."
Hiddink said it had not all been perfect and there were still plenty of things to work on before Russia faces Sweden in their final group match on Wednesday in Innsbruck.
Russia must win to join group winner Spain in the quarterfinals while Sweden will qualify with a draw.
"There were some mistakes which could have caused all sorts of problems, but that's football. We gave away in the first half too many unnecessary free kicks," he said.
"We should have killed the game before ... if you create on an international level five or six chances, which is not easy, you must at least have a score of 50 percent."
The match-winning goal came from Konstantin Zyryanov in the first half and Russia had chances to extend its lead with striker Roman Pavlyuchenko missing out several times.
Hiddink said he had some injury concerns following what he deemed to have been a very physical game.
"I think we have some damage," he said. "There were problems with (midfield pair) Yuri Zhirkov and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, I don't know if it will be solved in a few days."
However, it can look forward to the return from suspension of playmaker Andrei Arshavin, who missed the first two matches.
"I think we have to step up because Sweden is even stronger," said Hiddink. "We are outsiders of course ... but outsiders can do a good job, we proved that tonight."
Source: China Daily/Agencies
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