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Greece defeats Albania 2-0 in qualifier

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Posted: Wednesday October 06, 1999 05:26 PM

ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Vassilis Tsartas and Giorgos Georgiadis scored goals as Greece beat Albania 2-0 on Wednesday in a Group 2 qualifier for the 2000 European Championship.

The match, postponed from Sept. 8 because of a deadly earthquake that hit Athens the day before, was essentially a formality for the two countries, both out of the running for berths in the final rounds of the championships.

With the last qualification round scheduled for Saturday, Norway has already gained a berth in the final rounds of the championships with a 7-1-1 record and 22 points. Slovenia follows with 17 points, securing a place in the runners-up playoffs.

Five thousand spectators at the Athens Olympic stadium, saw the hosts surprise the Albanians with Tsartas' goal in the first minute off a pass from Theodoros Zagorakis.

Applying a tight-pressing game, the Albanians took control at midfield. They came close to equalizing on two occasions when shots by Igli Tare from the 6-meter (yard) area went wide.

In the 37th minute it was Greece's turn to miss a similar opportunity with Demis Nikolaidis.

The Albanians became more aggressive in the second half, but it was Greece that lost an opportunity to score again when goalie Foto Strakosha saved a shot by Nikolaidis with his foot.

Two minutes before the final whistle, Georgiadis closed the scoring off perfect cross from Nikolaidis.

Lineups

Greece: Ilias Atmatzidis, Giorgos Amanatidis, Grigoris Georgatos (Costas Constantinidis, 66th), Marinos Ouzounidis, Ilias Poursanidis, Theodoros Zagorakis (Giorgos Georgiadis, 46th), Nikos Dabizas, Vassilis Zikos, Nikos Machlas, Vassilis Tsartas (Andreas Niniadis, 74th), Demis Nikolaidis.

Albania: Foto Strakosha, Edvin Murati, Altin Haxhi, Altin Lala, Arjan Xhumba, Rudi Vata, Alban Bushi, Arjan Bellai Erion Bogdani, 83rd), Altin RRaklit, Bledar Kola, gli Tare (Devi Muka, 68th).

 

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