Since Greece delivered the biggest shock they ever could to world football in 2004 - by winning the European Championships - the team's fortunes haven't witnessed the upswing that one would expect after such a big win out of the blue. But that it's the country's third consecutive appearance at the European Championships says a lot about a team that had qualified for the competition just once between 1960 and 2000.
The reins of the team are now in the hands of coach Fernando Santos who has been successful in bringing a sense of optimism back in the team, having not only topped their qualifying group but also staying unbeaten; that after exiting the 2008 competition - as defending champions - at the group stage itself.
But Santos will be well aware that his boys need to pull out all the stops if Greece were to progress beyond the group stage at Euro 2012, especially due to their so-so attacking prowess. That leaves Greece relying on old-timers Kostos Katsouranis, Giorgos Karagounis and Angelos Charisteas - recalled into the national team - to take them deeper into the tournament. However, midfielder Sotiris Ninis and forward Kostas Mitroglou are expected to be the key performers.
Ninis has made impressive return in the Greek playoffs after a five-month injury layoff, while Mitroglou is Greece's best attacking forward with more than 15 goals under his belt this season.
Santos - who was unbeaten in his first 17 games in charge after replacing Otto Rehhagel in 2010 - knows that he has work to do before dreaming of life beyond the group stage in the country's fourth appearance at Euro. He knows that his team doesn't have the flair of a Spain or Germany while moving the ball forward as they lack quality in the midfield and don't have enough potent strikers up front.
Greece could surprise in Group A, where they have Russia, Czech Republic and co-hosts Poland for company. Favourites against Poland but underdogs against the Czechs and Russians, Greece need to thank their luck to be in a group where anybody can beat anybody, which gives them the best chance to progress from the group stage.
Still Russia and Czech Republic will start as favourites to take the top two positions in Group A, and it remains to be seen if Greece can keep the smiles beaming on the face of a country that is in the middle of an economic turmoil.
Greece squad:
Goalkeepers: Kostas Chalkias, Michalis Sifakis, Alexandros Tzorvas
Defenders: Vassilis Torosidis, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Avraam Papadopoulos, Jose Holebas, Stelios Malezas, Giorgos Tzavelas, Yiannis Maniatis, Kyriakos Papadopoulos.
Midfielders: Giorgos Karagounis (capt), Kostas Katsouranis, Giorgos Fotakis, Kostas Fortounis, Yiannis Fetfatzidis, Sotiris Ninis, Grigoris Makos.
Forwards: Georgios Samaras, Dimitris Salpigidis, Kostas Mitroglou, Nikos Lymberopoulos, Fanis Gekas.
Recent Euro performances:
2008 Eliminated bottom of group
2004 Winners
2000 Did not qualify
1996 Did not qualify
Keep an eye on: Sotiris Ninis, Kostas Mitroglou
Prediction: Though not expected to go past the group stage, being in the easiest group keeps Greece's hopes of progressing alive.
Fixtures:
June 8, 2012: vs Poland
June 12, 2012: vs Czech Republic
June 16, 2012: vs Russia
Comments
0 comment