Russia aim to book QF berth

But Group A underdogs the Greeks will not be content to play the role of extras in the Russians' movie, aiming to bring some cheer to a homeland locked in a political and economic crisis.

Russia's Andrey Arshavin during a training session yesterday

A draw will suffice to clinch Dutch veteran Dick Advocaat's Russia a berth in the last eight, but they aim to display the form that enabled them to demolish the Czech Republic 4-1 in their tournament opener last Friday.

"We need to forget that a draw will also put us into the knockout stage and score. Once, twice... as much as we can," said goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev, one of seven Zenit St Petersburg players who have started both of Russia's Euro 2012 matches.

The picture is very different for Greece, who know it is do or die. "We are going after one result," said Portuguese coach Fernando Santos.