Nicknames: The Greeks are mainly known as the ‘galanoleyki‘, which translates into the ‘blue and white’, based on their flag colors. During the Euro 2004, they also came to be known as ‘The Pirate Ship‘, after a Greek commentator joked about stealing the victory in the finals from the Portugese, who appeared in a ship of the 16th century style in the opening ceremony.
FIFA Rank: 13
Coach/Manager: Otto Rehhagel(Ger)
Otto Rehhgal became a national hero after he guided Greece to their Euro triumph in 2004. He has since come under heavy pressure to replicate that performance, but Greece could not qualify for the 2006 World Cup, and had a disappointing Euro 2008 campaign as well.
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Group Schedule:
South Korea: June 12Nigeria: June 17Argentina: June 22
Team History and News:
Otto Rehhagel: Looking for heavenly intervention
The Greeks have never really had a famous football history, having qualified for the World Cup only once, before now. They also qualified for the 1994 World Cup in USA, and had the dubious distinction of losing all three matches without scoring a single goal, and letting in ten. The biggest triumph in their history came unexpectedly in the Euro 2004. Held in Portugal, Greece was rank outsiders, with a 150:1 shot at the title. They stunned hosts Portugal in the finals and created what is probably one of the most incredible shocks in football history.
Recent Form:
The Greek team qualified second in their qualifying group, behind Switzerland. They held their own in spite of mediocre performances, and will be considered among the outsiders again in the World Cup. They have been touted at 125:1 for a shot at the title.
Their tactics, too, are quite predictable. Euro 2004 saw the team defend with a lot of depth, soak up the pressure and forage ahead only through set-pieces and counter-attacks. They even won the finals through a last-gasp header, after holding Portugal goalless for 90 minutes. The players are highly technical, and tactically, the Greek side can hold it’s own in any group. They play a predictable 4-5-1 formation, which does not allow them too much freedom in the final third of the opponent’s half. However, they scored an amazing 20 goals in their 10 qualifying matches, and cannot be taken lightly at any point.
Kyrgiakos
The strongest point of the Greek team is their team chemistry. Otto has the core of the team that won in 2004, and will bring along with him several experienced campaigners.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos, is the veteran of the team. A solid defender and a consistent performer on the big stage. He plays for English club Liverpool, and has impressed all with his defensive aptitude and excellent positional play. His 6’4″ frame is quite intimidating in the box, and is one of the reasons for Greece’s solid defense. Theofanis Gekas will be the man up front for the team. Though he was once a leading striker in the Bundesliga, he is now a fringe player for Bayer Leverkusen. However, that hasn’t quelled his thirst for goals, having scored five in the Euro 2008, and ten times out of Greece’s 20 during the qualifying stages. Gekas was the European top scorer in qualifying, even ahead of England hitman Wayne Rooney!
Giorgos Karagounis, the team skipper, brings with him a wealth of experience to the back four. Though his form has dropped of late with age, his free-kicks and corners are an important asset to a team that depends on set-pieces for half their goals. Angelos Charisteas, is well known for his last minute header in the finals sixyears ago. Though he hasn’t had the best of seasons at club level, he’ll pose a serious threat in the box along with Gekas. He scored four times in the qualifying campaign.
Vasilis Torsidis is widely beckoned to be the most talented player in the squad. This will be his chance to prove himself at the world level – a big club will surely come knocking. Georgio Samaras is also well-known for his exploits in front of goal. The Celtic striker will want to end a torrid club season with some goals on the big stage.
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Author’s Prediction:
In a group alongside tournament favorites Argentina, Nigeria and South Korea, Greece will not have it all their way during the qualifying stages. Though it is very difficult to predict who comes second, what with South Korea, Greece and Nigeria looking equally threatening, I feel Nigeria might just edge it. However, in the event that they do qualify second, Greece will have their task cut out facing (probably) France in the knockout. I feel the main objective of Greece will be to put some points on the board at least and erase the torrid ’94 memories.
