Greeks prepare for Euro clash with Sweden
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
SALZBURG, Austria, June 10 (AFP): Greece were the unlikeliest of Euro winners four years ago and to many people they would be an even unlikelier victor this time round as they set out on their bid to retain the title with an opening Group D match against Sweden.
One shouldn't expect much difference in their style as veteran German coach Otto Rehhagel is not one for shedding a winning formula and with the Greeks lacking depth in terms of creative talent, they will try and grind their opponents down and hit them on the counterattack.
Rehhagel, dubbed 'King Otto' for his achievements as coach or 'Rehhakles' as a play on the name of mythical Greek hero Heracles, is adamant that his squad must forget they are European champions - 11 of the heroes of 2004 remain in the group.
One of those Traianos Dellas, Rehhagel's defensive rock, concurs.
"The memories from 2004 are fantastic, but we must leave them behind us and look to the future," he said.
Whilst their warm-up results were not exactly eyecatching, a 0-0 draw against minnows Armenia and a 3-2 defeat by Hungary, hardly these days the 'Magnificent Magyars' of the 1950's, the players at least in public believe that they can repeat their remarkable success of 2004.
For captain Angelos Basinas, however, this is going to be a much tougher tournament.
"Before, nobody could have imagined that such a small country would go so far in the competition but now people expect more," said the 32-year-old.
Defender Nikos Spyropoulos admitted the match with Armenia had not been their finest moment but said against Sweden it would be a different matter.
For their veteran goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis - nicknamed 'Clooney' because of his likeness to the Hollywood hearthrob George - there is nothing to be worried about.
"We are not under pressure, we have come to give the best of ourselves," said Nikopolidis.
However, there is a slight cloud hanging over them in the shape of playmaker Georgios Karagounis, who has been struggling with a knee problem but has declared that he believes he will be fit.
The Swedes, who have like the Dutch and Spanish flattered to deceive at major tournaments, have a strong looking squad with Juventus-bound Olof Mellberg at the back and the battle hardened strike partnership of veteran Henrik Larsson and fiery Inter Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
One shouldn't expect much difference in their style as veteran German coach Otto Rehhagel is not one for shedding a winning formula and with the Greeks lacking depth in terms of creative talent, they will try and grind their opponents down and hit them on the counterattack.
Rehhagel, dubbed 'King Otto' for his achievements as coach or 'Rehhakles' as a play on the name of mythical Greek hero Heracles, is adamant that his squad must forget they are European champions - 11 of the heroes of 2004 remain in the group.
One of those Traianos Dellas, Rehhagel's defensive rock, concurs.
"The memories from 2004 are fantastic, but we must leave them behind us and look to the future," he said.
Whilst their warm-up results were not exactly eyecatching, a 0-0 draw against minnows Armenia and a 3-2 defeat by Hungary, hardly these days the 'Magnificent Magyars' of the 1950's, the players at least in public believe that they can repeat their remarkable success of 2004.
For captain Angelos Basinas, however, this is going to be a much tougher tournament.
"Before, nobody could have imagined that such a small country would go so far in the competition but now people expect more," said the 32-year-old.
Defender Nikos Spyropoulos admitted the match with Armenia had not been their finest moment but said against Sweden it would be a different matter.
For their veteran goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis - nicknamed 'Clooney' because of his likeness to the Hollywood hearthrob George - there is nothing to be worried about.
"We are not under pressure, we have come to give the best of ourselves," said Nikopolidis.
However, there is a slight cloud hanging over them in the shape of playmaker Georgios Karagounis, who has been struggling with a knee problem but has declared that he believes he will be fit.
The Swedes, who have like the Dutch and Spanish flattered to deceive at major tournaments, have a strong looking squad with Juventus-bound Olof Mellberg at the back and the battle hardened strike partnership of veteran Henrik Larsson and fiery Inter Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.