Greece

King Otto’s Greeks to Rule Euro Empire Again?

Vangelis Mitsis

Greece shocked the footballing world in 2004 when winning the European Championships in Portugal. Should they never win anything for the next 50 years that moment will still live long in the minds of Greeks everywhere. Many though have felt that the side has been living on Euro 2004 for too long now, and certainly failure to qualify for the 2006 World Cup was a bitter pill to swallow. At the outset of the long road to the Euros, Greece were determined they would be there in Austria/Switzerland to defend their crown.

Otto Rehhagel drilled the team perfectly for the qualification campaign and they finished comfortably on top of their group with a record of played 12, won 10, drawn 1 and lost 1. The solitary defeat coming at home to bitter rivals Turkey was not so much a loss as a rout, a 4-1 demolition on Greek soil. The result perked up the Greek’s ideas and qualification never looked in doubt.

The Greeks will take a squad to Euro 2008 that will draw largely on the experience of the 2004 victory. Indeed Rehhagel has drawn criticism from some sections of the Greek press for sticking with the old guard and their performances will hold the key to advancement.

Squad

Antonis Nikopolidis, Goalkeeper (Olympiacos): The grey haired shot stopped is nicknamed “George Clooney” for his similarity to the American actor. Prone to gaffs and unreliable in the air, though has improved with age.

Traianos Dellas, Defender (AEK Athens): The former Sheffield United centre-back is a key man in the Greek defence. Excellent man-marker who provides a serious threat at set-pieces.

Sotiris Kyrgiakos, Defender (Eintracht Frankfurt): Former Rangers man who is a tough cookie in the centre of defence. A real hard man who missed the 2004 finals through injury.

Vasilis Torosidis, Defender (Olympiacos): In many ways the revelation of Greek football at the moment. Never stops running but combines this excellent work-rate with first class technique. Could well move to a bigger club if impresses at the finals.

Angelos Basinas, Midfielder (Mallorca): Has held a key role since the retirement of Euro 2004 captain Theo Zagorakis. Will be expected to dictate the play and tempo of the team from the centre of the park.

Kostas Katsouranis, Midfielder (Benfica): Not quite been the force in Portugal many though he would be. Still a quality defensive midfielder adept at protecting the back four. Also possesses a hammer-like shot.

Giorgos Karagounis, Midfielder (Panathinaikos): Another 2004 veteran, Karagounis works extremely hard for the team and can also dribble well. Adept at free-kicks.

Theofanis Gekas, Forward (Bayer Leverkusen): Managed 20 goals in the Bundesliga before move to Leverkusen last summer. Hard working pocket rocket like forward.

Angelos Charisteas, Forward (Nurnberg): Legendary scorer of the winning goal in Euro 2004. Excellent in the air and great at holding the ball up for on rushing forwards.

Dimitris Salpingidis, Forward (Panathinaikos): Leading scorer for Panathinaikos and first class finisher. Also fights for every ball. Charisteas’ likely replacement if Rehhagel needs something different.

Coach

Otto Rehhagel is a legend in Greece and whatever happens in Euro 2008 that will not change. The German developed his reputation in the Bundesliga netting a raft of honours in the process. Rehhagel really came to prominence when in charge of Kaiserslautern he led them to promotion to the Bundesliga, and then to the title the very next season! Otto did have a spell in charge of Bayern Munich, but it was one that didn’t even last a season and he was criticised for been too hard on the disciplinary front. It goes without saying that Greece’s Euro 2004 win was his finest moment as a coach and he won’t be going anywhere soon, having signed an extension through to 2010.

On the pitch Rehhagel is using the 4-3-3 formation that served him so well in Euro 2004. Though primarily a defensive set-up he can switch to a more attacking stance simply by changing one or two personnel within the system. More recently he has experimented with a 4-4-2 in a 2-1 friendly win against Portugal, but, like the 4-3-3, defence was they key here too, with the emphasis on denying his opponents space to play.

Group Stage

Greece find themselves in Group D with Spain, Russia and Sweden. They will expect to progress, if in second place, and so their first two games will be crucial. The holders meet Sweden first, followed by Russia. Failure to take anything less than 4 points from these two games would put the pressure on for a final group game meeting with Spain.

The games against Sweden and Russia are sure to be tactical affairs with all sides understanding the importance of the fixtures. The Greeks may well have to abandon their counter-attacking style and go looking for the goals to net 3 points and this could make them vulnerable at the back. Russia may not have the firepower to take advantage, but Sweden surely do.

View from the Country

Whilst Greek supporters are optimistic the team can put on a good show, a repeat of 2004 is considered unlikely. The strange thing about this is that most Greeks seem to agree that the squad that will travel to Austria/Switzerland is stronger than that which left for Portugal four years ago. The realistic target for the team is considered to be a top two group finish, and should this be achieved, most Greeks would on the whole be happy.

Writer’s Verdict

The Greeks are a strange side who, when they play well, can be more like Germans than Greeks. This is of course testament to Otto Rehhagel and the discipline he has instilled in the team. Whilst the side are not the outsiders they were in Portugal (they are much closer in terms of quality to their rivals now) they are still not serious threats to take home the trophy.

The group itself will be hard enough. Even though Sweden are aging, they play a game the Greeks won’t like to face and will work hard to avoid leaving themselves open to the sucker punch. Rehhagel will also have quite a battle on his hands in the tactical contest with Guus Hiddink of Russia. Hiddink is aiming to do with the Russians exactly what Rehhagel did with the Greeks, but he has the advantage of his plans being less known than Rehhagels well worn drills.

That said I am sure that if the Greeks do manage to qualify for the knockout stages, they are a side that no-one will want to face. Euro 2004 showed they know all about knockout football, and in many ways like Liverpool in the Champions League, they are well capable of beating more skilled opponents than themselves.

Overall I would expect us to finish above Sweden and to fight with Russia for second place. If we get it, it is a success, as I am not sure we will go any further.