Russia fans were left disappointed as the national team was unable to score against Greece, missing out on a quarterfinal spot in a 1-0 loss in Warsaw on Saturday.
Greece player Giorgos Karagounis scored the game's only goal just before halftime with a shot sliding into the net beneath goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeyev.
But Russia was unable to return the favor through the Greeks' tough defense, despite having 25 shots in the game.
On a high after a 4-1 victory over the Czech Republic and a draw with Poland, Russia was favored to advance against the Greeks, who won the 2004 tournament. Russia only needed a draw to advance.
"We should have won by a wide margin tonight, but we didn't. My compliments to Greece," Russia coach Dick Advocaat said, The Associated Press reported. "A number of players weren't sharp enough to score."
The Greek team found the strength to hold the Russians back despite economic worries at home.
"We are proud that we gave the people back home some joy and a break from their problems — even for a short while," Greece striker Georgios Samaras said. "We did very well defensively, but the will we had was the main thing. That stopped them from scoring goals."
As the game came to a close, dejected Russia fans lit flares, while Greece fans sang their national anthem.
At least eight Russia fans were arrested in Moscow for public drunkenness and unauthorized use of pyrotechnics after the game, Interfax reported.
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