Greece rallies in the second half to beat Cyprus 2-1
Larnaca (AP) – Club teammates Takis Fyssas and Giorgos Karagounis scored a goal each yesterday as Greece came from behind to beat Cyprus 2-1 in an international friendly. Michalis Constantinou, who plays for Greek side Panathinaikos along with Fyssas and Karagounis, scored the lone goal for Cyprus. Constantinou put the hosts ahead in the 29th minute, slotting home a penalty after wing back George Theodotou was impeded in the box. The Greeks were slow to respond and failed to create quality scoring chances in the first half. In the second half, Greece came out a changed team. Fyssas headed in the equalizer in the 53rd minute from an Angelos Bassinas corner. And in the 80th, a Karagounis blast deflected into the net. Cyprus, playing at Larnaca’s GSZ stadium, hasn’t beaten Greece at home since November 1975 and has only won four times in 25 attempts. In European Championship qualifying, Cyprus is tied second in Group 1 after losing to defending champion France and beating Malta. The Greeks are in third place in Group 6 behind leaders Spain and Ukraine.
