Published 6/16/2012 10:30:59 PM by William Montero from soccermogul

This one was a surprise.  Nobody could foresee Greece advancing from Group A.  Throw in only a single point from their first two matches and it was even less likely.

That is exactly what ended up happening on Saturday at Euro 2012 though.  Coming into the day in last place and leaving the day with a quarterfinal berth.  A total metal breakdown in the final seconds of the first half cost the best team in the group a place in the quarterfinals.

Russia had been the class of Group A and through 46 minutes Saturday, nothing had really changed.  The with only seconds left in the opening half Russia went brain-dead.  A nothing throw in led to a breakaway and the goal that cost Russia.

Giorgos Karagounis picked up an errant header and walked in on goal before firing home.  Greece stood strong in the second half and got their result.  Meanwhile, the Czech Republic scored late to beat home side Poland 1-0 and win the group.  After suffering a humiliating drubbing against Russia to open the tournament, the Czechs responded with two straight victories.

Now both Greece and the Czech Republic will await the results from the Group of Death on Sunday.  Germany looks solidly through, but Holland, Portugal and Denmark all have hopes of advancing.

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