OTTO Rehhagel attempted to put Greece's elimination from Euro 2008 into perspective and finished with a round of applause from journalists for a speech straight out of Jose Mourinho's textbook.
Russia ended the hopes of the holders making history and defending the title for the first time in the history of the tournament, with Konstantin Zyryanov grabbing the winner in Salzburg's Stadion Wals-Siezenheim.
"I think the Acropolis has been around for several thousand years, and we won't be around for that long - that keeps it in perspective," the German said.
After getting knocked out at the earliest opportunity and with a negative style that has yet to produce a goal, questions will now be asked of Rehhagel.
"I know the games and I'm not going to play them with you. I know the question before you ask it," he added.
"I've said this before, Greece is a country where democracy was born so you can say what you want. Germany is also democracy which is why I'm free to say whatever I want.
"We just finished this match, we have a match against Spain and everything else we will deal with later."
Greece were never given much hope of defending their title and Rehhagel admitted: "We knew we wouldn't waltz though it, we're simply not that good. But other teams will get kicked out too.
"Only two can remain and France and Italy might not be among them.
"In 2004 a miracle happened but maybe it happens once every 30 years. You can't have it every week, or it wouldn't be a miracle."
Russia coach Guus Hiddink was delighted with what he saw as a mature performance from his team.
"Everyone saw that this team is capable of playing good football, but not smelling where the danger is," said the Dutchman.
"I'm very proud how they reacted when in the last few days we had good sessions but also tense sessions where I wanted to see how they reacted.
"I'm happy with the reaction because the results are good football with everyone doing their job defensively.
"In the first half we conceded too many free-kicks and they could have harmed us but we changed a little bit and from then on their main attacking weapon was out of their game."
Russia now play Sweden in a match they have to win to reach the quarter-finals.
Hiddink added: "It will be a different type of game. First we see what our damage is and then we work from there - it was a physical game. Against Spain we didn't have any harm."
"I think the Acropolis has been around for several thousand years, and we won't be around for that long - that keeps it in perspective," the German said.
After getting knocked out at the earliest opportunity and with a negative style that has yet to produce a goal, questions will now be asked of Rehhagel.
"I know the games and I'm not going to play them with you. I know the question before you ask it," he added.
"I've said this before, Greece is a country where democracy was born so you can say what you want. Germany is also democracy which is why I'm free to say whatever I want.
"We just finished this match, we have a match against Spain and everything else we will deal with later."
Greece were never given much hope of defending their title and Rehhagel admitted: "We knew we wouldn't waltz though it, we're simply not that good. But other teams will get kicked out too.
"Only two can remain and France and Italy might not be among them.
"In 2004 a miracle happened but maybe it happens once every 30 years. You can't have it every week, or it wouldn't be a miracle."
Russia coach Guus Hiddink was delighted with what he saw as a mature performance from his team.
"Everyone saw that this team is capable of playing good football, but not smelling where the danger is," said the Dutchman.
"I'm very proud how they reacted when in the last few days we had good sessions but also tense sessions where I wanted to see how they reacted.
"I'm happy with the reaction because the results are good football with everyone doing their job defensively.
"In the first half we conceded too many free-kicks and they could have harmed us but we changed a little bit and from then on their main attacking weapon was out of their game."
Russia now play Sweden in a match they have to win to reach the quarter-finals.
Hiddink added: "It will be a different type of game. First we see what our damage is and then we work from there - it was a physical game. Against Spain we didn't have any harm."
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles
The former Socceroo, A-League star revamping Greek football
Meet Australia’s talented Haris Stamboulidis
