Karagounis misses Greece decider

Greece will attempt to book their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004 without Stelios Giannakopoulos and Georgios Karagounis.

Greece will attempt to book their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004 without Stelios Giannakopoulos and Georgios Karagounis.

The two players have been key figures in Greece's first two Group A games, the 2-1 win over hosts Portugal and Wednesday's hard-fought 1-1 draw with Spain. Those results have taken them to within a point of qualification. Victory over Russia tomorrow, coupled with anything less for Spain against Portugal, will crown Otto Rehhagel's side as group winners. Giannakopoulos is out after damaging a calf muscle during the Spain game, while Karagounis picked up his second yellow card of the competition in Porto and is suspended.

With the Russians in disarray - Aleksandr Mostovoi has been sent home for questioning the coach Georgi Yartsev's training methods while the captain Aleksei Smertin and Sergei Ovchinnikov are suspended for what will be their side's last game of the competition after defeats by Spain and the hosts - there is confidence in the Greek camp.

That is something Rehhagel will not allow as he continues to plot perhaps the most unlikely of routes into the last eight. The German said: "We are going step by step and nothing has been won yet. Everyone thinks we are in the second round, but it's not true - we must come out fighting on Sunday."

However, there is a certain defiance within the Russian ranks and a determination to make an impact before their early return home. "After two defeats, we need a victory for us and our supporters," Russia's goalkeeping coach and former USSR international Rinat Dasayev said.

Ovchinnikov's place will be taken by Viacheslav Malafeev. Smertin is likely to be replaced by Roman Sharonov, who missed the Portugal game after being sent off against Spain.

RUSSIA (from): Malafeev, Evseev, Sharanov, Bugaev, Sennikov, Aldonin, Alenichev, Loskov, Karyaka, Izmailov, Kerzakov, Radimov, Gusev, Bulykin, Bystrov.

GREECE (probable): Nikopolidis; Fyssas, Dellas, Kapsis, Seitaridis; Katsouranis, Tsiartis, Zagorakis, Stelios; Charisteas; Vrizas.