Rob Parrish has no tears to shed after watching reigning champions Greece fall at the first hurdle.
Holders crash out without scoring after back-to-back defeats
So farewell, Greece. After causing one of the greatest upsets in football history by winning Euro 2004, the reigning champions are out after losing their first two group games without scoring a single goal.
In all honesty, there will be few tears shed for the deposed title holders whose gritty organisation and defensive determination earned them only grudging respect, at best, for their particular interpretation of the beautiful game.
Flair, verve and attacking intent have never been high on Greece's list of qualities, although they proved a major international tournament can be won by making the most of the talents at their disposal.
After going down 2-0 to a slightly-less dour Sweden in their opening Group D game, Greece knew they could not afford to be beaten again if they were to prevent their crown from slipping.
But opponents Russia were also in the must-not-lose camp having been thrashed 4-1 by a vibrant Spain, and showed more ambition from the outset and held a deserved half-time lead.
Guus Hiddink's side, who qualified for the finals ahead of hapless England, were incisive with their passing, eager to press forward and went ahead in the 34th minute through Konstantin Zyryanov.
Hero to villain
Sadly for Greece, it was one of their Euro 2004 heroes who was largely at fault for the goal as Antonis Nikopolidis rushed from his goal in an attempt to gather a deep cross, only to see Sergei Semak's overhead kick leave him in no-man's land and present Zyryanov with a tap-in.
Another who contributed so much to success in Portugal, Angelos Charisteas, was equally culpable as he missed a free header from all of four yards in the first half and then shot weakly into Igor Akinfeev's hands at the start of the second.
Greece coach Otto Rehhagel had switched from a five-man defence to a 4-3-3 formation, but it was not until well into the second half in Salzburg that his side really threatened.
By then, Russia could have been out of sight, only for some wayward finishing to keep the tension cranked up as they held only the slenderest of leads until the welcome blast of the final whistle.
A winner-takes-all clash with Sweden now awaits for Russia if they are to progress to the quarter-finals.
Greece are left to shuffle off with only memories of 2004 to lighten their mood as they face Spain.
