Greece reached the last eight of the Euro 2004 soccer championship against a 1-2 defeat to Russia in their final Group A match Sunday in Faro, Portugal.

The Greeks who only needed a draw to make the quarterfinal, made the worst start by going a goal down after 65 seconds, but eventually entered the elimination round following a 1-0 victory by Portugal over Spain.

Against an identical scoreboard of four points, Greece edged over Spain for the quarters, with four goals against two.

Striker Dmitry Kirichenko fired past keeper Antonis Nikopolidis for already eliminated Russia's first goal and also the quickest of the tournament. And the Russians doubled their lead 15 minutes later when unmarked striker Dmitry Bulykin powered home a diving header from a Rolan Gusev corner.

Greece grabbed a lifeline two minutes before halftime when striker Zisis Vryzas pulled one back after Dimitrios Papadopoulous headed the ball down into his path.

Greece, who beat Portugal 2-1 and drew with Spain 1-1 in their first two matches, badly missed injured midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos and the suspended Giorgos Karagounis.