Timely Kurtić prevents Greece victory

A late free-kick from Slovenia's Jasmin Kurtić denied Greece victory in their first of two friendlies before UEFA EURO 2012.

Olympiacos FC captain Vassilis Torossidis opened the scoring in the eighth minute for Fernando Santos' team in Kufstein, Austria, after being fed by club-mate Giannis Maniatis. The goalscorer soon limped off with a right knee injury, however, and with Slovenia looking increasingly dangerous in the latter stages, Kurtić rifled in a shot via the upright. A disappointing finale for the 2004 European champions was compounded when substitute Panagiotis Kone was sent off.

Things could also have started badly for Greece had Tim Matavž's close-range header went below, rather than narrowly over, the crossbar. Five minutes later, Maniatis found Torossidis on the right and the defender advanced towards goal before beating Samir Handanovič with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

After Torossidis departed, Dare Vršič, Kurtić – with another free-kick – and Matavž all threatened an equaliser before the break, while in the last minute of the half Greece's Giorgos Karagounis and Kostas Katsouranis shot wide from long range.

Greece's attacking play became slicker after the restart and, having survived a scare when Marko Šuler headed off target, Sotiris Ninis crossed to Fanis Gekas, who volleyed wide. Kostas Chalkias seemed to have won the game for Greece when he executed a fine double save to deny Josip Iličić and Šuler, but Slovenia were not to be denied, Kurtić powering in a shot with the aid of a post.

Greece return to Kufstein on Thursday to take on Armenia in their last pre-EURO friendly before meeting tournament co-hosts hosts Poland in Warsaw in the opening game of the finals on 8 June.