A Giorgos Karagounis goal seconds before the break had Greece leading early Group A pace-setters Russia at half-time in their meeting as both jostled for a place in the quarter-finals
The Russians, 16 matches unbeaten, had most of the possession against a Greek side which had lost their last four straight meetings with their rivals and Alexander Kerzhakov and then Andrei Arshavin both sent early efforts off target against a side needing a win to have any hope of advancing.
But against the run of play Karagounis, a 35-year-old veteran of the Greeks' 2004 shock final win in Portugal, drove home right-footed to stun Dick Advocaat's side.
Having begun their tournament with a 4-1 demolition of the Czech Republic in their tournament opener and then held co-hosts Poland to a draw the Russians were hoping to win the group with the Czechs, a point behind, holding the Poles 0-0 at the break in their match in Wroclaw.
Greek midfielder Giorgos Karagounis (L) celebrates after scoring during the Euro 2012 championships football match Greece vs Russia on June 16, 2012 at the National Stadium in Warsaw. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF