Five thoughts after Russia’s 1-0 win over defending champion Greece in Salzburg:

• Good-bye Greece. Don’t let the door hit you. Nobody can take away the Greeks’ 2004 European championship (even though I find myself wondering more than ever how they won that thing), but they were deservedly bounced from Euro 2008 by a better team today. At least Greece came to play a little bit this time, and if it weren’t for a couple of badly missed chances by Angelos Charisteas they might have gotten a result. Somehow it seemed appropriate that Charisteas was the one to miss, since he was the same guy blessed by fate in the Euro 2004 final (when he scored the game-winner on Greece’s only shot on goal).

• We’ve got three delicious match-ups looming in the next four days. How’s this for drama? Three of the last eight first-round matches will pit teams on the same number of points, with the assurance that (at least) one of those teams is going to be eliminated. On Sunday, it’s Turkey (3 points) vs. the Czechs (3 points) for the last spot in Group A. On Tuesday, it’s France (1 point) vs. Italy (1 point) for a chance at the last spot in Group C (though Romania can clinch it with a win over Holland). And on Wednesday, it’s Russia (3 points) vs. Sweden (3 points) for the last spot in Group D. Few things are more fun than watching good teams in desperation.

• Your four group winners are already set. Here they are: Portugal, Croatia, the Netherlands and Spain. The biggest surprise is the Croatians, though not many predicted that Holland would win Group C so convincingly before the tournament.

• The Russians won’t be favored against Sweden, but they’ll have a shot. Remember, Russia’s best player, creative midfielder Andrei Arshavin, will be back from suspension for Wednesday’s make-or-break showdown with the Swedes. The Russians have created lots of chances already without him, but his addition should help even more. But will Russia be able to finish those chances? Forward Roman Pavlyuchenko was extremely wasteful against Greece. As for the Swedes, questions will be flying about the health of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the two-time goal-scorer who went out at halftime with a bum knee against Spain.

• If you thought Dutch coaches were already popular as mercenary hires, then you haven’t seen anything yet. That’s my prediction for 2010 World Cup qualifying (and the Cup itself) after seeing the success of Holland coach Marco van Basten, Russia coach Guus Hiddink and (to a lesser degree) Poland coach Leo Beenhakker in Euro 2008. If Hiddink can get the Russians to the knockout rounds he’ll be able to name his price on his next job.

Which final group game are you most excited for? Please post your comments below, and check back on Sunday for the latest Euro 2008 Power Rankings ...