After seemingly coming from nowhere to triumph at UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) EURO 2004, Greece continue to defy the odds under wily coach Otto Rehhagel, and have clinched qualification for only their second Soccer World Cup.
However, Rehhagel will have to repay the faith of Greek FA after failure to reach Germany 2006 and a limp group-stage exit at Euro 2008 had ratcheted up the pressure on the German supremo.
The road to South Africa
Greece kicked off South Africa 2010 qualifying in impressive fashion, picking up victories over Luxembourg, Latvia and Moldova, scoring eight times and conceding none in the process, but picked up varying results against Israel and Switzerland. They were pitted against Ukraine in the European Zone play-off and squeezed through thanks to a decisive goal from Dimitrios Salpingidis.
Star players
There will be no shortage of experience for the Greeks to call on come South Africa 2010. Chief among their veteran performers are defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos and former Inter Milan and Benfica midfielder Karagounis. Nor are they slouches going forward, boasting as they do ten-goal Theofanis Gekas — the top scorer in European Zone qualifying.
The coach
South Africa 2010 will be coach Rehhagel’s first Soccer World Cup appearance, where he is set to be the oldest strategist on show. After a glittering career in his homeland, the German boss has earned worldwide recognition for his achievements with the Greek national team since taking over in 2001. Within three years of taking the post Rehhagel had guided the Greeks to Euro glory, before going on to clinch qualification for both Euro 2008 and South Africa 2010.
Facts
- Greece will be determined to improve on their showing at USA 1994, where they were eliminated at the group stages.
- USA 1994 was the Greeks’ first and only previous appearance at the finals of a Soccer World Cup. — Fifa