Greece is not a fancied team like the other European favorites Spain, Germany, Portugal, Italy, France. But it is also not a mere pushover. Taking Greece lightly may prove dangerous. It has required talents, skills and depth to cause few surprises. Greece is in Group C along with fancied Colombia and not very difficult Japan and Cote d’voire.
When the Greek wooden horse make its grand world cup entrance in Belo Horizonte to take on the favorite of the group Colombia, its contents will not spring a surprise as it did on the unsuspecting Trojans. Instead, from the bowels of the horse will emerge a battle hardened collection of players clad in Galanolefki [blue and white], not overly blessed with talent, but relishing the prospect of adding another installment to the Greek underdog legend.
Notwithstanding above, Greece head into the 2014 world cup with plenty of confidence, despite having to qualify through the play-offs. Fernando Santos’ side finished second on goal difference to Bosnia-Herzegovina in one of the weaker qualifying groups. But Greece dropped points in just two of their 10 matches, a 3-1 defeat away to Bosnia last March following a 0-0 draw between the sides in Athens five months earlier.
They were the only slip-ups in a group also containing Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Liechtenstein. Santos’ side duly dispatched Romania 4-2 on aggregate in the play-offs, with Kostas Mitroglou’s three goals making him the hero of the hour.
Greece has a good record of qualifying for major events since their unexpected European Championship victory a decade ago. They have reached three of the last four tournaments, only to disappoint on the big stage.
An overly defensive approach at the finals has won them few friends, although a quarter-final appearance at Euro 2012 helped to lift some of the gloom in a country more badly affected by the global economic crash than most.
Two of the three record caps holders, Giorgos Karagounis and Kostas Katsouranas, are again expected to pitch up at the finals, having each made 10 appearances in qualifying.
Greece has been a little more adventurous under Santos, and a group containing Colombia, Ivory Coast and Japan certainly presents them with a realistic chance of qualification. It can only be hoped that Santos’ men back up some of their pre-tournament confidence with a bold approach in Brazil.
Greece Sqaud:
Goalkeepers: Orestis Karnezis (Granada), Panagiotis Glykos (PAOK), Stefanos Kapino (Panathinaikos)
Defenders: Kostas Manolas, Jose Holebas (both Olympiakos), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund), Vangelis Moras (Verona), Giorgos Tzavellas (PAOK), Loukas Vyntra (Levante), Vasilis Torosidis (Roma)
Midfielders: Alexandros Tziolis (Kayserispor), Andreas Samaris, Giannis Maniatis (both Olympiakos), Kostas Katsouranis (PAOK), Giorgos Karagounis (Fulham), Panagiotis Tachtsidis (Torino), Giannis Fetfatzidis (Genoa), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos, Panagiotis Kone (both Bologna)
Forwards: Dimitris Salpingidis (PAOK), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic), Kostas Mitroglou (Fulham), and Fanis Gekas (Konyaspor).
Coach Fernando Santos
The Greek federation is keep to keep Santos on after the world cup. The Portuguese tactician has flitted between Greece and his homeland during a 27-year managerial career, winning one league title and three domestic cups.
Players to Watch
Despite developing as a player in the German nursery system, the Greek fans see Mitroglu very much as one of their own. His parents moved to western Germany when he was young, but the striker is now back in the country of his birth, and scoring goals for fun. Mitroglu has only risen to prominence over the last couple of years and is now a first team regular at Olympiakos after impressing as a super sub last season.
In Brazil, Mitroglou will be the centerpiece of an attacking trio in Santos preferred 4-3-3, flanked by Dimitris Salpingidis and Georgious Samaras. Tireless defensive midfielders and Euro 2014 heroes such as 34 years old Kostas Karagounis, Giannis Maniatis and Alexandros Tziolis will have their hands full coping with all- actions Ivorian’s, tricky Colombians and the quick passing Japanese.
The Greek rearguard will be marshaled by Sokratis Papastathopolos or “Papa”. The 25 years old central defensive rock is already a veteran. He has become a pillar in his first season at Borussia Dortmund.
On the flanks, AS Roma right back Vasillis Torosidis and Olympiakos left back Jose Holebas will be expected to provide cover and also present an attacking threat to make up for the lack of invention in the middle of the park
Prediction
This is likely to be one of the more even groups, with Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan battling it out for qualification alongside Colombia, who look a level above their opponents.
If Greece can keep it tight at the back and bring a little more invention to their play, they have a chance, but the Ivorians look like they have a little too much on paper and should go through alongside Ivory Coast.
BDST: 0922 HRS, JUN 08,2014
