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2:1 is the result of the match of the pre-qualification rounds for Euro 2012 between the football teams of Greece and Israel, played on Karaiskaki Stadium in Athens. Greece managed to gain three valuable points, though not entirely without difficulties. However, it is worth noting that the national team fulfilled the instructions of Fernando Santos and brought the country two wins in a row.

The team showed a very good image last night. It played with passion that one could see on the field. And the opponent was not of the easiest ones as it certainly caused more troubles than the team of Latvia.

However, the blue-whites did not start the match with a so strong game. They could not find their rhythm right away and their game was chaotic at least in the beginning. By contrast, the Israeli team entered the field very motivated to win. It tried to trouble the Greek defenders still in the beginning. It also managed to block Santos’ players for a while. The Israeli team made its first goal attempt in the 7^th minute. The player Rafaelov threatened Sifakis’ net but the ball went out. This rapid threat woke the hosts up. Shortly thereafter, however, Ninis had a contusion and Fetfatzidis replaced him. Fetfatzidis stirred the players and goal chances were created persistently. Chances flooded and it became clear that the goal is a matter of time. Salpigidis scored it in the 22^nd minute from a pass by Kafes. Minutes after the Greek goal the guests seriously threatened the net of Sifakis and Papastathopoulos had to repeatedly clear the ground. Karagounis threatened the Israeli net but the goalkeeper Aouate saved the ball. The first half ended 1:0.

Тhe team of Israel was the one that came stronger in the match in the beginning of the second half... And the goal was hanging in the air again. Not the guests scored a goal to Sifakis but the hosts themselves. In the 59^th minute Spiropoulos sent the ball into his team’s net from a side kick. So, the result was 1:1, the smiles on the stadium froze and Santos got nervous. It was a relief when in the 63^rd minute Karagounis scored the 101^st goal in his career and...the hosts took the lead in the result again. Vyntra also tried to score 15 minutes before the end of the match. The guests also continued to fight. Vermuth tried to score to Sifakis, but the ball hit the crossbar and there was no draw...

The last night result ranked Greece first in the group with 8 points. It is followed by Croatia with 7 points and another match to be played, Georgia with 6, Israel and Latvia with 4 and Malta having 0 points.