Greece enjoying life on the edge at Euro 2012

Derek Gatopoulos - The Associated Press

LEGIONOWO, Poland (AP) — Far from being wary of a quarterfinals showdown with a rampant Germany, Greece's players are thriving on their "life-or-death" matches at Euro 2012 according to coach Fernando Santos.

Faced with elimination from the tournament, Greece managed to beat Russia 1-0 in their last Group A game on Saturday and squeeze into the last eight. Santos said Monday that the absolute need to win that match had helped his players overcome their earlier lapses in concentration.

"I think knockout games are good for us because the players concentrate from the start of the game. When it's life-and-death, all or nothing, that has been an advantage for us," Santos told a news conference.

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June 18, 2012