Greece One Point from Unchartered Waters

Russia take on Greece on Sunday in Faro-Loulé on the Algarve with only two possible incentives: to go home with a win and the team's pride intact, or to scupper Greece's remarkable first phase with a victory which could end the dream. The pursuit of one could well precipitate the other, something Greece coach Otto Rehhagel is well aware of.

Nothing has been won yet. Everyone thinks that we are already in the next round but this is just not true," Rehhagel warned as he cautioned his side against complacency going into their final Group A game. The Greeks, after sensationally beating the hosts on the opening day of the championships and securing a draw against the fancied Spanish, need a draw from the Faro-Loulé encounter with the Russians already out of the competition.

Striker Demis Nikolaidis allayed fears that the Greeks would do the bare minimum with their minds on a possible quarter-final clash against England on the horizon. "We are going for the victory in this game despite needing only one point."

Self belief driving Greece forward

Positivity is running through the Greece side ahead of the game with unknown territory ahead. Greece has never performed so well in an international tournament and the feel-good factor seems to be like an extra man for the excited newcomers. Midfielder Theo Zagorakis admits he has never known the Greek national side to be in such good health. "Overall, I feel very good and positive about the way things are going. We are playing well and defending excellently," said Zagorakis.

"It's the first time for a long time that I have felt so good about the prospects for our national side. I've been in the Greek side for 10 years now and things now feel very special, the best ever.

But we have to remain calm. We do not want to talk about the quarter-finals until we have played Russia and made sure of our place."

Russia won't just make up the numbers

Wise words if Russia coach Georgi Yartsev's pledge to go out with a bang can be taken as a serious statement of intent. "Those who think we'll just be walking around in the third game - they're going to make a huge mistake," said Yartsev. "We'll fight. We need to score goals and win points in this competition, and that's what we'll aim to do."

"The game is going to be crucial in the group. It can influence the position and the future of all the teams."

The 56-year-old former Spartak Moscow star knows he and his players will be heading for home regardless of the result following defeats against Spain and Portugal and insists he will take full responsibility for whatever happens on the pitch at the Estadio Algarve.

Coach takes responsibility for failed campaign

"We win together and we lose together. In my life, in my job, I follow one principle - I'm totally responsible for what I do, for what the team achieves. I will never blame my players whether their performances are acceptable or even in bad games.," the coach told a press conference.

"That's not just a declaration, not a position, it's the principle which I follow and will follow for the rest of my life. I've chosen these players to come to Euro 2004 and I'm responsible totally. It's my fault if we don't win the game."