The Greeks managed to take an early lead in the game with Panathinaikos' striker Dimitris Papadopoulos, which was just not enough to guarantee a place in the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany international football tournament. Georgia tried to react, but only managed to find free passage to Olympiakos goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis box late in the second half, after the Greeks seemed to loose their rythm.

Greece retained control of the game for most of the 90 minutes with Georgia being closed in their own half and looking to get the ball forward with counter-attacks. Panathinaikos defender Giannis Gkoumas replaced the penalised Rangers international Sotiris Kyrgiakos and in an apparently unexpected move, Greece coach Otto Rehaghel used AEK defender Traianos Dellas in the centre of the defence, leaving AEK Athens midfielder Kostas Katsouranis the chance to play ahead of the team's defence line.

What surprised the home fans and the journalists covering the match was Rehaghel's move to start the game with Panathinaikos striker Vaggelis Mantzios (debut international appearance), PAOK striker Dimitris Salpigidis and Panathinaikos striker Dimitris Papadopoulos, who was the only scorer of the game. This move by Rehaghel proved more productive for the team with Georgia's goalkeeper Nukri Revishvili having a busy day.

Greece started the game with passion to win, even though the team, the media and the home fans were pretty much aware of the virtually no chances of qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany. However this game marked the end of an era for the Greek team, as the Greek national team's most successful coach is still undecided on whether he should renew his contract for the Euro 2008 Qualifiers. The home crowd sent a strong message of support for Otto Rehaghel and together with all the comments of support for the coach by every Greek player.

In the first half, Georgia nearly shocked the Karaiskaki Stadium when Giourkas Seitaridis failed to get FC Schalke's Levan Kobiashvili caught offside and his shot hit the crossbar in the 13th minute of the game. AC Milan's Kakha Kaladze was unattended and managed to infiltrate from the right of the Greek defence, but Greek goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis was well prepared and saved the ball.

In the second half the two coaches making changes on the strikers side with Greece's Otto Rehaghel substituted Vaggelis Matzios with Zisis Vryzas and Georgia's Lasha Salukvadze substituted by Rati Tsinamdzghvrishvili. Minutes into the second half, PAOK captain Thodoris Zagorakis had to be substituted after sufferring a muscle injury with his foot. Later on, Traianos Dellas was substituted by Olympiakos defender Giorgos Anatolakis, who made his first appearance with the national team in nearly 2 years.

The first 20 minutes into the second half found the fans watching a boring match and paying attention to anything else rather than the game. The Greek side only managed to create a classic chance when Kostas Katsouranis worked well with Dimitris Papadopoulos, but Georgia's keeper managed to save. The Greek side was rightfully complaining for a penalty not given, when Zisis Vryzas was clearly pushed down from Georgia's defender, 76 minutes into the game. Vryzas also hit the goalpost a few minutes later.

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