Georgios Karagounis scored two free-kicks to give Greece a 2-1 victory over Portugal in Dusseldorf.
Greek winger claims rare double to beat under-strength Portugal
Georgios Karagounis scored two free-kicks to give Greece a 2-1 victory over Portugal in Dusseldorf.
In a repeat of the Euro 2004 final, the Panathinaikos winger struck either side of the break before Nuno Gomes gave an under-strength Portugal side a consolation with 14 minutes remaining.
Portugal were without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco, Nani and Jose Bosingwa for their final friendly before this summer's Euro 2008 finals, so Carlos Martins, Pepe, Miguel Veloso, Simao Sabrosa and Nuno Gomes were all recalled by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Simao only lasted 19 minutes before being replaced by Joao Moutinho, however, and Karagounis beat Ricardo to open the scoring in the 34th minute.
Inevitably there were a host of further substitutions after the break, with Celtic's Georgios Samaras and Bolton's Stelios Giannakopolous coming on at the restart for Greece.
Karagounis, who returned to his homeland this season after spending two years in Portugal with Benfica, then doubled the lead with just his sixth goal in 64 international appearances on the hour mark.
Karagounis' former Benfica team-mate Nuno Gomes cut the deficit in the 76th minute but Portugal were unable to draw level in their last game before facing Czech Republic, Turkey and co-hosts Switzerland in Group A.
Greece will open their defence in Group D against Russia, Spain and Sweden.
