Georgia no match for Greece
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Article summary
Greece 3-0 Georgia Three first-half goals helped the home side earn a comfortable win in their final Group 2 qualifier in Athens.
Article body
Three first-half goals helped Greece earn a comfortable 3-0 win in their final UEFA European Under-21 Championship Group 2 qualifier against Georgia in Athens.
Experimental sides
With both sides having lost their chances of reaching the play-offs for next season's finals tournament, they each experimented with new tactics and new players. Greece immediately proved the effectiveness of their new tack as Lazaros Hristodoulopoulos scored with a close-range shot after just four minutes.
Turning provider
Hristodoulopoulos turned provider 15 minutes later, sending in a cross which Antonios Petropoulos headed in to make it 2-0 at the Nea Smirni stadium. Petropoulos then turned provider, sending Dimitrios Pliagas through to score Greece's third goal after 31 minutes.
Final standings
The second half lacked the urgency of the opening period, and the only event of note was the second yellow card shown to Georgia's Gocha Khojava after 51 minutes. The result leaves Greece third in the final standings with Georgia finishing the qualifying campaign third from bottom.