SPORT

< Football > match WCup Quals Europe - Qualifying - Group 9 Finished ALBANIA GREECE 2-0 Substitute in Player out Yellow card Red Card Albania in historic 2-0 win over Greece.Headers by Alban Bushi and substitute Ervin Fakaj gave Albania a 2-0 victory over Greece in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday and their first ever win over the Greeks in an official match.

TIRANA - Bushi jumped higher than the Greek defence to head the ball home after a cross by Fatmir Vata in the 50th minute, The Greek side, unable to field some of their best players, including defenders Grigoris Georgatos and Giorgios Amanatidis, played a better tactical game in the first half but failed to turn three good chances into goals.

Albanian striker Igli Tare squandered his team's best chance in the 30th minute when he was alone in front of the Greek goal but sent a lame shot into the hands of Antonis Nikopolidis. Despite three substitutions in the second half, the Greek team could not manage to shake the Albanians who were galvanised by the home crowd of about 20,000. and the promise of a \\$10,000 bonus each by Prime Minister Ilir Meta should they win.
Fakaj sealed the Albanian victory with a header in the final moments, delighting the fans who headed for the .streets to celebrate. ============================================================================================================================= WCup Quals Europe - Qualifying - Group 9 Finished GREECE 1-0 ALBANIA Machlas 72' Substitute in Player out Yellow card Red Card Greece score crucial win in Balkans derby Ajax forward Nikos Machlas struck a flying volley 20 minutes from time to give Greece a 1-0 win over Balkan neighbours Albania in their World Cup group nine qualifier on Saturday. Albania frustrated the hosts in a tight first half with a tireless pressing game that reduced Greece to a single shot from striker Alekos Alexandris. Greece were more dangerous after the break with Olympiakos top scorer going close again before Machlas swivelled to volley in a low corner from just inside the box. The win took Greece above Finland into third place in the group on six points -- one behind England, who they play in Athens on Wednesday. =========================================================================================================================== Germany fight back for 2-2 draw in Finland Germany scored twice in three minutes midway through the second half to earn a 2-2 draw with Finland in their group nine World Cup qualifier on Saturday. The Germans, boasting a 100 percent record before the match, found themselves 2-0 down at halftime after two goals for Mikael Forssel and should have been further behind as the Finns continued to dominate after the break. But a 69th minute Michael Ballack penalty after defender Hannu Tihinen brought down Carsten Jancker in the box got the Germans moving and Jancker got the equaliser three minutes later. Germany remain top with 13 points from five games, six ahead of England. Finland are third on five points.