Santos bemoans another slow start

Page last updated at 03:46 GMT, Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - 08:46 EST

AFP:

Greek head coach Fernando Santos

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Greece coach Fernando Santos said that another poor start had cost his side dearly as two goals in the first six minutes saw the Greeks lose 2-1 to Czech Republic in their Euro 2012 Group A clash here Tuesday.

The 57-year-old Portuguese, who replaced veteran German Otto Rehhagel after the 2010 World Cup finals first round exit, added that he had not given up on securing a last eight spot - though they will have to beat group leaders Russia to do so.

The Greeks, who beat the Czechs in the Euro 2004 semi-finals on their way to lifting the trophy, have just a point while the second-placed Czechs have three points.

Co-hosts Poland are on two points having fought out a 1-1 draw with Russia, who are on four points.

Santos, whose 45% pay rise raised eyebrows in a country where the majority of people are struggling to pay for basic goods because of the financial hardships brought about by the euro crisis, said that he had feared the Czechs would bolt out of the blocks.

Read the whole story: AFP