Samaras scores as Jelavic faces Euro 2012 ko

Georgios Samaras scored for Greece last night in their 2-0 win over Croatia to claim top spot in Group F going into the final round of matches.

Greece are unbeaten in their Euro 2012 campaign with a win or draw on Tuesday away to Georgia taking them to the finals leaving Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic to face a play-off with Croatia.

Samaras scored his first goal of the season in the 71^st minute with Fanis Gekas adding a second shortly afterwards as the Greeks leapfrogged Croatia into top spot.

A draw for Greece away to Georgia on Tuesday will be enough to ensure that they top the group regardless of how Croatia get on at home to Latvia.

With Croatia going to Athens a point in front the first half was tight with few chances created by either side but midway through the second half Samaras volleyed the home side in front with Gekas sealing the win with eleven minutes left to play.

“We had two finals to play and we have won the first one,” said Greek coach Fernando Santos after the victory. “It’s now up to us against Georgia. We haven’t achieved anything yet. We want to celebrate after the game in Georgia, who are a good team and will have nothing to lose when they play us.

“We started quite well in the first half and stopped Croatia from playing but we lost control of the game after that. We were too anxious and didn’t use the ball well. We addressed that issue at half time.

“We used the possession we had in the second half much better and the balance of the game tipped in our favor. In the end, it was a fair result.”

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