| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Greece's first and only previous appearance in the FIFA World Cup was in USA 1994 where the they lost all the three group matches against Argentina, Bulgaria and Nigeria. This year they find themselves in familiar territory, with Argentina and Nigeria once again for company in Group B. A powerful South Korean side completing the numbers.
Greece had their greatest moment of footballing history when they won the European Championships in 2004. Sadly, they were unable to build on that success, failing to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
They have made it through to South Africa 2010 courtesy of a play-off win against Ukraine after finishing second in their European Group behind Switzerland. Their inability to beat lowly Moldova in a Group match relegated them to second place, and one honestly wonders if it hadn't been for the luck of the draw, would Greece really have made their way through. A Dimitrios Salpigidis strike sent them through against the Ukraine in Donetsk, after the first leg had finished goal-less.
Greece are ranked as no.12 in the World, higher than both Nigeria and South Korea in their Group, but we feel their ranking is more than a little flattering to their disposition in this group. Greece open their campaign against South Korea, and a win is imperative for them to stand any chance of making it through to the Round of 16. Nigeria are up next, and should results not go their way by the time they run into Argentina, we could be in for a rout.
Key Players:
Sotirios Kyrgiakos - The 6 foot 4 inch Liverpool defender who missed Greece's shock Euro 2004 triumph due to injury would be looking to make the most of his chance this time around. Soto has been at the heart of defence for Greece's qualifiers helping them to concede at less than a goal a game. This uncompromising defender is the strong man in the Greece back line. His aerial ability in both boxes could help a defensive minded Greece advance from a tough group which sees them battling the likes of Nigeria and South Korea for second place.
Theofanis Gekas - The Greek striker was once a top scorer in the Bundesliga, but more recently has found himself on the fringes of the Bayer Leverkusen squad, failing to start a single game all season. However, there is nothing to hamper his international form where he has been scoring almost at will. Gekas was the top scorer in the European Qualifying Zone for the World Cup with 10 goals ahead of England marksman Wayne Rooney!
Angelos Charisteas - A hero for life in Greece after his headed goal won Euro 2004, Charisteas hasn't had the best of seasons for his club, Nurnberg. Still, he's a clever target man, who possesses an aerial threat and works brilliantly off the defenders to create space for himself. His partnership with Gekas would be key to Greece's successful campaign. He notched up 4 goals in the qualifying campaign.
Team:
Goalkeepers: Michalis Sifakis (Aris Salonika), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos), Kostas Chalkias (PAOK Salonika);
Defenders: Giorgos Seitaridis (Panathinaikos), Loukas Vintra (Panathinaikos), Evangelos Moras (Bologna), Socrates Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (Liverpool), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiakos), Vasilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Nikos Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos), Stelios Malezas (PAOK Salonika), Giorgos Tzavellas (Panionios), Kostas Manolas (AEK Athens), Giorgos Galitsios (Olympiakos), Stergos Marinos (Panathinaikos)
Midfielders: Kostas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Alexandros Tziolis (Siena), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Christos Patsatzoglou (Omonia), Grigoris Makos (AEK Athens), Sakis Prittas (Aris Salonika), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Panathinaikos);
Forwards: Angelos Charisteas (Nuremberg), Dimitris Salpigidis (Panathinaikos), Pantelis Kapetanos (Steaua Bucharest), Theofanis Gekas (Hertha Berlin), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic), Kostas Mitroglou (Olympiakos).
Top Goal Scorers: Angelos Charisteas (23), Theofanis Gekas (20)
Most Capped Players: Giorgos Karagounis (91), Angelos Charisteas (82)
Head Coach: Otto Rehhagel
Form Guide: (DLWDW)
Oct 14, Greece 2-1 Luxembourg
Nov 14, Greece 0-0 Ukraine
Nov 18, Ukraine 0-1 Greece
Mar 03, Greece 0-2 Senegal
May 25, Greece 2-2 North Korea
Fixtures:
12-Jun: South Korea vs Greece 12:30pm (GMT)
17-Jun: Greece vs. Nigeria 3:00pm (GMT)
22-June: Greece vs Argentina 7:30pm (GMT)
Also Read:
Group Competitior Previews: Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria
This article is the exclusive copyright of TheSportsCampus.com and permission to reproduce the same has not been granted.
