Estádio da Luz, Lisbon. 4 July, 2004. A venue and day which Greeks all over the world will remember forever. Angelos Charisteas scores the only goal of the UEFA Euro 2004 final against the host nation Portugal to cause one of the greatest ever shocks in international football.
Otto Rehhagel is still the man at the helm since that famous day when Greece became krajings of Europe, six years ago. However, failure to reach the 2006 World Cup in Germany quashed a short-lived reputation of a fearsome side on the big stage with a tactically-gifted coach.
The Greeks have kept their faith in the German-born coach and, in turn, Rehhagel has delivered on his promise by guiding his adopted country to the biggest event on the world football calendar. As underdogs, against a fancied Ukraine side, Greece were economical in the play-offs and booked their World Cup tickets with a 1-0 aggregate win.
Worryingly, however, is the fact that Greece twice lost to Switzerland in qualifying. They can be stubborn, organised and spirited at the best of times, but another dream run in a major tournament will require a touch of sparkle and class which is evidently lacking. Argentina, Nigeria and South Korea will all provide tough tasks for Greece to advance from Group B.
Star player: Theofanis Gekas
Greece would not be travelling to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa had it not been for Theofanis Gekas’ prolific form in the World Cup qualifying campaign. Gekas, who is on loan with Hertha Berlin from Bayer Leverkusen, was on target ten times in Group Two to claim the top goalscorer bragging rights in the European section of the qualifying stages.
Gekas will be relied upon as a goal-getter again in a few weeks time and will have Angelos Charisteas and Georgias Samaras as back-up in that department.
Greece’s main goal threat Theofanis Gekas celebrates.
Manager: Otto Rehhagel
The 71-year-old German native has been with the Greece national team since 2001 and has built a strong rapport with Greek football followers. Steering the nation to European glory in 2004 is undoubtedly his ultimate achievement to date and despite his failure to qualify for the ’06 World Cup, the supporters and officials have remained by his side.
Rehhagel is renowned for his organised defence with height and power, an experienced midfield with an overall ‘kontrollierte offensive’ – controlled attack. However, he will have to pull a master tactical stroke if he is to progress further than the last 16.
Prediction: Last 16
Argentina will coast through with maximum points but there will an intriguing battle for second spot. If Greece can summon enough firepower to beat Nigeria and South Korea, it could set up a rematch of the Euro 2004 quarter-final against France in the last 16. It was an epic win for Greece in Portugal on that occasion but this time round we feel Mr Domenech will have Les Blues gelling together to reach the quarter-finals.
Odds: 150/1
Irishness rating: 8/10
Our connection with Greece couldn’t be stronger at the moment. There’s a strong chance we’ll be lending them €7bn in the near future so perhaps we have staked a claim in their national team. Should we be donning the Greek shirt and wrapping Blue and White flags around our waists when we head to the pub to watch the footie in a few weeks?
If they were a car they’d be a…
Rover – briefly surprised us a few years ago (the MG/Euro 2004) but everything has gone tits-up since then.
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