Coach: Otto Rehhagel
Confederation: UEFA
FIFA Ranking (Nov 09): 12
Previous Appearances: 1 (1994)
Background
Greece could not boast of a great football tradition or sensational victories till the 21st century. 1980 European Championship and 1994 World Cup were the only two occasions it had figured in the finals of major international tournaments. And what an embarrassing World Cup debut it was! Greece caved in each of the three group encounters collecting 10 goals without returning any. But then something akin to a miracle happened. Otto Rehhagel took over the reins of the team as its coach. He overhauled Greek football, the approach to the game, attitude and style. The thumping result was the Euro 2004 triumph. In 2008, a third Euro appearance and now a second World Cup.
FIXTURES
Greece v South Korea 12 June; Cape Town
Greece v Nigeria 17 June; Bloemfontein
Greece v Argentina 22 June; Polokwane
The road to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals
First Round:
Greece was put in Group 2 along with Switzerland, Latvia, Israel, Luxembourg, and Moldova. The Greeks started off with a convincing 3-0 victory over Luxembourg, followed by a second win against Latvia 2-0 and a 3-0 mauling of Moldova. But they met their match in Switzerland who ended the Hellenic side’s dream run with a 2-1 victory. Israel then held the Greeks to a 1-1 draw at home. But the away match was won 2-1 by Greece. Two wins in the last four encounters, 5-2 victory over Latvia and a narrow one against Luxembourg was enough for Greece to step into the second round as runner-up in the group.
Second Round:
A formidable list of nations was waiting for Greece in the second round: France, Portugal, Russia, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia. Greece was pitted against Group 6 runner-up Ukraine in the play-offs. The first leg ended as a goalless draw, but in the second leg Greece subdued the Ukrainians by a solitary goal. But that was enough for Greece and the way to South Africa was clear.
Strengths
The strength of Greece is its rock like defence. May be the play they dish out is not breath taking or spectacular. But with two centre-backs and a libero it is pretty tough for the opposing team to get a gap for advancing to the goal post.
Weaknesses
Over dependence on defence naturally curbs creative football. They wait for set pieces for scoring. This strategy may be productive against weak teams, but very difficult to clic in the top football arena.
COACH
A father figure for Greek footballers, Otto Rehhagel was the one reason for the revival of football in Greece. But there was criticism against him after the 2006 World Cup debacle. The allegation was that he had retained almost the same squad that won the Euro Cup two years ago, ignoring fresh talent. This World Cup could possibly be his last for the German coach who delights in working with underdogs.
Star Men
Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos);
The captain and playmaker is an excellent midfielder. He is also a strategist keeping the ball or distributing.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos (Liverpool);
The 30-year old defender performed extremely well in the World Cup qualifiers and it helped him get into the World Cup squad. He had missed the victorious 2004 Euro Cup due to injury. Currently a centre back with Liverpool, Kyrgiakos has vast experience playing for various premier clubs in Europe.
Theofanis Gekas;
Gekas played a stellar role in taking Greece to the World Cup scoring 10 goals in the qualifiers. The coach will be banking for the Hertha Berlin striker to score many, if not ten in South Africa.
Georgios Samaras;
The talented forward has not lived up to the expectations he had initially raised. He has scored only five goals in his 30 international appearances. Samaras now plays for Celtic after leaving Manchester City. .
Best Footballing Moment
The Euro 2004 victory. The achievement stunned not only the world, but even the most ardent supporter of the team, for it was a dream come true, which generally happens only in fairy tales.
World Cup Objective
Making the round of 16. It is a curious coincidence, but two of the teams in the group, Argentina and Nigeria were the nemesis of Greece in 2006 World Cup too.
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