Greece (National Football)

When Greek football ended in May of 2009, most fans watched an instant classic for the Greek Cup final between AEK Athens and Olympiacos. Antonios Nikopolidis penalty strike gave Olympiacos the Greek Double and ended the 2008-09 season in classic style.

Olympiacos entered the 2009-2010 the favorite to win yet another title.  Having won every single title since 1997 expect for 2004 (Pananthaniakos) things didn't look like there were going to change.  The Piraeus side side added Spanish defender Raul Bravo, Swedish international defender Olof Mellberg and sured up it midfield with the additions of Enzo Maresca and Christian Ledesma.  These additions to a team with Vasilis Torosidis, and Matt Derbershire and a repeat should be in the cards. New coach Temur Ketsbaia took over for two time winner Ernesto Valverde who was let go after contract negotiations failed.

Panathaniakos finished 2009 in third place but rebounded to win the Greek League playoff ahead of PAOK.  Winning the playoffs gave Panathaniakos a birth into the 2nd round of qualifying in UEFA Champions League.  Not wanting to repeat the poor performance of 2008-09 Pana added French International Djiril Cisse, along with Sebastian Leto, and brought Kostas Katsouranis back to Greece after 5 seasons with Benfica.  Add "the Future of Greek Soccer" Sotiris Ninis, Pana were expected to be right there with Olympiacos.

PAOK after finishing a suprising 2nd in the regular season couldn't keep it magic in the playoffs but earn a spot in the Europa League.  The Saloniki team still trying to recover from some financial difficulties add offensive midfielder Vasilis Koutsianikoulis and Gregorios Fotakis.  With Zlatan Muslimovic having an impressive 2009 season POAK looked to pull yet another shock and crash the Athenian party.

AEK Athens had a season to forget in 2008-09. Having plenty of finacial problems team President Demis Nikolaidis has his hands tied in the transfer market.  Finishing a dissapointing 4th place AEK earned a Europa League spot.  Even with finacial problems AEK did manage to get the services of midfielder Giorgios Makos but for the most part AEK was sellers in the transfer market sending Greek internationals Sotirios Kyriakos to Liverpool and Vasilis Pliatsikas to German team Shalke. 

Other teams to considered for a top half finish included Aris Saloniki, newly promoted team AO Kavala, AE Larisa after finishing fifth in 2008-09 season another top half was expected.

From the start of the season the Superleague looked like it was going to be a two team race between Panathanaikos and Olympiacos as both teams remained unbeaten through 8 games.  Even though both teams started out well in the standings it wasn't enough for new Olympiacos manager to keep his job as he was fired after a few lack luster performances by his team in September.  Temur Ketsbaia lasted only four domestic games and was he was gone. He wasn't the only manager to get canned by the middle of October has six managers were canned before even 8 rounds were played in the Superleague. 

After eight rounds of the Superleague PAO and Olympiacos were both tied with 22 points with third place ten points adrift.  All remaining team expect for Panthrakikos who only had 1 point through eight games were alive for all Europe spots.  With assured of 5 teams playing in European competitions everyone has a shot.

October also had Greece's national team finish second in its group of World Cup qaulifying earning a playoff series against the rest of Europe's group runner ups. Greece drew a November playoff series against Ukraine who four years earlier eliminated them from World Cup qualifying. 

November saw good news for Greek teams as both Olympiacos and Panathaniakos looked to progress in the group stage in European action. Both teams were solidly in 2nd place in their groups with two games remaining needing only a point for each to to progress as they entered December. 

As the Greek National team took center stage in mid November with their home and home series against Ukraine for one of the four remaining European World Cup spots.  The first game in Pireaus saw coach Otto Rehegal use a rather defensive 5-2-3 formation to try to keep a clean sheet before going to Kiev for the return leg.  The ploy worked but Greece might regret missing several opportunities to score and were held to a 0-0 tie. 

The return leg in Kiev was a nail bitter from the opening minutes.The game had excellent back and forth action as both teams came out more aggressively and not wanting to leave it late.  Greece survived the intial ten minute attack from the Ukraine after several key stops from goalie Alexandros Tzorvas.  Greece after surviving the initial wave brought pressure themselves and nearly took the lead at the 25th minute after Dmitiri Salpagidis miss kicked his chance with only the goalie to beat.  A few minutes later Greece went on top after a great through ball from Gerorgios Samaras allowed Salpagidis to run on to it and beat the goalie for a 1-0 lead.  The second half was controlled by the Ukraine and held most of the possession but weren't able to threat Tzorvas again until late in the match but Tzorvas was up to the challenge.  Salpagidis goal was enough and GREECE qualified for the World Cup for the second time in its history.

November ended with the much anticipated game between Olympiacos and arch rival Panathaniakos.  The battle for first place in Piraeus was a one sided affair as Kostas Mitroglou brace for Olympiacos was all they needed as they cruised to a 2-0 victory grabbing first place along the way.  The game also cost PAO Hank Ten Cate his job as he was soon fired and replace by Greek under 21 coach Nikos Nioplias.  This would be the key move to the Greek league as PAO seem to right the ship under Nioplias.

At the halfway point in the season PAO has a slim 2 point lead over Olympiacos with PAOK a distant 10 points off the pace.  Fourth and fifth places were controlled by Asteras Tripolis and Panionios who weren't expected to this high in the table. AEK was still in turmoil lagging in 9th. Other surprises were Aris in 7th place and Larissa near the drop zone in 13th place.  Still with 3rd and 9th place separated by a mere two points anyone could have earned a top five finish. 

Decemeber also saw two Greek teams advance in European Competitions. Olympiacos secured a second place finish in its group including a win over Arsenal to close out the group stage.  A strong showing for the Greek squad earned them a match up with French side Bordeaux. 

PAO continued its excellent play in the Europaleauge and cruised to a second place finish in its group. Having won 4 of six games PAO earned a spot in the round of 32 against AS Roma.  The opposite can be said for AEK who finished last in their group only winning one game out of six finishing with 4 total points.  That closed out the soccer year for Greece in 2009 with many more success stories then expected.

After the Christmas break all team returned to action in January 4/5 with the schedule repeating. PAO extended its lead in its return to five points as Olympiacos stumbled and POAK inched closer to second.  PAO looked to have found rhythm with new coach Nikos Nioplias and with French striker Djiril Cisse riding a incredible goal scoring run of scoring 13 goals in 15 games. PAO continued to extend its lead through the rest of January to six points.  January closed with PAO in first, Olympiacos and PAOK tied for second. 

With only ten games remaining in the Superleague the league was still up for grabs. PAO had a small six point league as Feburary began and with a log jam of games with Europaleague and Greek Cup games they needed to survive a tough stretch run. Having only come way with 4 points in their last 4 games PAO lead from as high as seven was back down to 3 points by the end of round 22.  PAOK and Olympiacos were right behind and knew they couldnt afford another slip up. 

Even with all the struggles in league play PAO played two outstanding games against AS ROMA. PAO won both games against ROMA 3-2. The game in Athens was a see saw affair as Roma twice took a one goal lead befor PAO would tie and then take the lead with yet another goal from striker CIsse.  In Roma PAO were paced by Sotiris Ninis who scored one and set up another 2 goals in a five minute span that allowed PAO to advance to the Round of 16.

Olympiacos season of turnover continued as it was on its third manager by January 20. Having key games against Aris and PAO remaining in league play plus the Round of 16 champions league game ahead OLympiacos needed to right the ship.  In need of a offense Olympiacos added midfielder Jesus Datalo and brought back forward Lomana Lualua. These moves helped close the deficit in league play down to 3 points but they couldn't produce anything against Bordeuax. Bordeuax won in Pireaus 1-0 and sealed their advancement with a 2-1 victory in France ending Olympiacos Champions League dreams.

PAOK put yet another claim for the title beating PAO in Toumba 2-1 closing PAO lead back down to two points. The sell out crowd went crazy after free kick goal by Pablo Garcia gave them a lead at the 60th minute only to have them quited by a goal from Cisse to level the score. An excellent timed run and chip shot from Zlatan Muslimovic gave PAOK the lead that they held onto.  When round 23 ended PAO was in first with Olympiacos and PAOK in second place tie with Olympiacos ahead on goal difference.

March began with a only six games remaining and things still wide open. PAO was in first with a two point lead with PAOK and Olympiacos right behind and AEK and Aris finishing out the top 5.  Olympiacos were the first to stumble losing to Iraklis falling down to third place as both PAO and PAOK won.  PAOK then stumbled against their arch rival Aris losing 2-0, while Olympiacos again lost ground with a tie to 15th place PAS Giannana.  That tie basically ended Olympiacos chance of winning the title and gave PAO who won their game 1-0 a five point lead with 4 games remaining.

While PAO enjoyed success in league play their great run in Europe ended by Standard Leige of Belgium.  Standard outclassed PAO in Athens to a score of 3-1. PAO looked tired an out of form against Leige. The return leg in Belguim was yet another loss for PAO to eliminate them from Europe.  Even though PAO was bounced from one tournament they still had their eyes on the league and cup double. 

PAO schedule got lighter with their elimination from Europaleauge but they continued to advance in the Greek Cup. Having reached the quarterfinals beating 2nd division teams PAO got yet another 2nd Division team in Kallithea.  Kallithea was no match for the top flight leaders and they now faced PAS Gianina in a two round Playoff for the right to get to the final. 

All of these games on PAO schedule didnt matter if they could beat Olympiacos to wrap up the league with a victory in round 27. Things though didn't go as planned as substitute strike Matt Derbyshire lone strike in the 62 minute kept Olympiacos hopes alive for a repeat championship. PAO lead went down to four points with Olympiacos taking over second four points of the pace and PAOK settling into third five points off the lead. 

The final three round of the Superleague wasnt about how PAO was going to win the tittle just when. After securing a win in round 27 PAO needed 5 more points to secure the tittle. An Olympiacos tie against Xanthi and PAO win over Atromitos in round 28 left PAO needing only a tie to win the tittle. 

Round 29 was the coronation of a new champion and it didn't take long for the game to be decided.  PAO's Djibril Cisse scored in the opening minute against Iraklis and added another goal by Sotiris Ninis just before half time. With the win in hand PAO won its first title since 2004 and end Olympiacos six year strangle hold on the title. The chaotic celebration in Athens with fans storming the field trying to get a piece of any PAO player they can get their hands on. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOo2y_sb6J8&feature=player_embedded

As PAO was putting the final touches to the championship they disposed of PAS Gianina in the Greek Cup semis. PAO scored a 3-1 win at home before settling for a 0-0 tie in Giannina to advance to the final against Aris.

Aris fought and clawed its way to the final having beat three top division teams along the way to the final. Aris beat Asteras in the round of 16, won a replay against Xanthi at home 3-0 in the quarters and then beat Kavala in the semis to get to the final. 

Final touches in PAO championship was a 1-0 win against PAS Giannina. Having nothing to play for the Athenian team played its backups, resting the starters for the Greek Cup final in two weeks.  Olympiacos rebounded to get into second place and PAOK threaten all season slid into third. AEK and Aris rounded out the European spots and all four teams headed to a playoff to see who will the second team in the champions league with the other three teams qualifying for the Europaleague.

The Greek Cup final between PAO and Aris in OAKA was a well played game that saw Aris control much of the early action without putting a quality shot near the PAO goal. Javier Campora missed wide with Aris best chance in the opening 20 minutes. PAO finally got on track after Sotiris Ninis found space and shot a low laser to Michalis Sifakis saved and regroup to save the rebound by Dimitri Salpagidis. The second half was played to a stand still until Sebastian Leto got hold of a ball 30 yards away and unleashed a bouncer to beat the outstretched hands of Sifakis.  That was the only goal and gave PAO its first Cup since 2004.

Playoff round for the four Europe spots between PAOK, AEK, Aris and Olympiacos was over quickly after PAOK opening round tie against AEK.  PAOK then beat Aris, Olympiacos twice and AEK in consecutive matches to win entry into the Champions League. AEK finished in third place after beating Olympiacos on the final round of playoff play.AEK will play in the Europe league playoff round. Olympiacos disaster season continued to spiral out of control as the finished in third place and getting a third round Europe league spot.  Aris finished in fourh getting the 2nd round Europe league spot.

First team all Super League:

G: Alexandros Tzorvas PAO

Leading Panathinaikos to a double earns this spot for Tzorvas. He also earned first team status with the National team with his play.

RB: Raul Bravo Olympiacos

The Spanish import fit right in to the Olympiacos backfield.  He was one of the few bright spots for Olympiacos all season.

CB: Lukas Vyntra PAO

Vyntra emerged this year as a steady performer infront of Tzorvas as a center back. His play earned him call up with the national team.

CB: Stialanos Melezas PAOK

Melezas was a pleasant suprised as the 25 year old was a defensive force for the Salonika side. Melezas play got him to be named to Greece provisional 30 man roster for the World Cup.

LB: Giorgios Tzavellas Panionios

Having appeared in 24 games for the Nea Smyrini side Giorgios helped guide the team to an 8th place finish in the league.  At the age of 23 Giorgios earn his first call up to the National squad with his play. 

DMF: Kostas Katsouranis PAO

Kostas was one of PAO high priced transfers that fit right in. In his return to Greek football Kostas added 8 goals out of the defensive midfield.  One of the Greece's steady performers will earn more caps in South Africa in June.

CMF: Vladamir Ivic PAOK

Ivic is a veteran of the Greek league having already played for AEK and Aris before joining PAOK. The Serbian international scored seven goals including four game winners for the 2nd place squad.

AMF: Tumar Metin Larisa

Turkish international scored seven goals for Larisa in 20010. He was the lone bright spot in Larisa disappointing season.

AMF: Georgios Karagounis PAO CAPTAIN

Stats dont measure Karagounis. He is the heart and soul of both Greece and his club team.  A deft free kick taker Karagounis scored only two goals but you cant count the number of ways he helps a team. Watch one game and you will see.

CF: Javier Campora Aris

The Argentian Campora tallied 11 times for the Salonikan side in the Superleague. Campora finished tied for 2nd in the season total.  Campora has scored 18 goals in 39 greek league games.

Striker:  Djibril Cisse PAO

With a reputation of being a trouble maker Cisse arrived in Athens and became an instant hit. Scoring a remarkable 23 goals in 28 league games and another 5 goals in 8 Europe league games Cisse was well worth 8 million dollar transfer fee and 2.5 million dollar salary. 

Best transfer: Cisse

Best in season move: Firing of Ten Cate by PAO

PAO was unable to win the big game under Ten Cate. That was quickly erased by Nioplias with wins against Roma. 

Surprise transfer: Freddy Adu Aris

Not that Adu isn't a good talent, but how far has he fallen?  Adu is on his fourth European team in 2 years after bouncing around MLS for two years.  Once the prize of American soccer, is the Adu washed up at 21?

Overall it was a great year for Greek Soccer. The national team qualifyied for its 2nd World Cup. Greek teams held their own this some of Europe's elite teams and progressed to knockout phases in European competition.  As of a result of good results PAO will gain an automatic entry to the group phase in the 2010-2011 Champions League. 

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel has announced his provisional squad for this summer’s World Cup.

There were few surprises from the conservative German, who will choose 25 players from this 30-man roster to take to the Greek training camp in Switzerland on May 17th.

Last week, Rehhagel named nine foreign-based stars in the provisional squad, all of whom will almost certainly be traveling to South Africa.

So, the fight for places in the final 23-man roster is between the players from Greece’s domestic league.

Barring any injuries, the three goalkeepers in the provisional roster will be in Port Elizabeth on June 12th for Greece’s opening match against South Korea, with Panathinaikos’ Alexandros Tzorvas a favorite to start.

The Greek defense will definitely include Liverpool’s Sotiris Kyrgiakos, along with Italy-based defenders, Vangelis Moras and Sokratis Papasthatopoulos.

Avraam Papadopoulos and Vasilis Torosidis, both of Olympiakos, will also make the final cut.

Panathinaikos pair, Loukas Vyntra and Giorgos Seitaridis, are both likely first-team starters.

Their teammate, Nikos Spiropoulos, should also be on the plane to South Africa, along with one more name from the remaining group of inexperienced defenders.

If Rehhagel was ever going to spring a surprise, he might choose highly regarded AEK Athens teenager Kostas Manolas—nephew of legendary Greek defender Stelios Manolas.

More realistically, the final defensive spot will go to PAOK Salonika’s Stelios Malezas, who featured in the squad for the recent Senegal friendly.

Greece’s other rated teenage defender, Kyriakos Papadopoulo—whose club Olympiakos has reportedly agreed to a €4m deal for the 18-year old with Manchester City—is not on Rehhagel’s provisional roster.

Neither is Bundesliga-based Vasileios Pliatsikas, who tore knee ligaments at the beginning of 2010 and is not expected back until after the World Cup.

In midfield, Rehhagel’s final 23 will definitely feature Christos Patsatzoglou of new Cypriot league champions AC Omonia, and Alexandros Tziolis, recently relegated from Italy’s Serie A with Siena.

But it is domestic-based players who are most prominent in Greece’s midfield roster, with captain Giorgios Karagounis a certain starter, alongside Kostus Katsouranis. Their Panathinaikos teammate, 21-year-old Sotiris Ninis—a reported target for Manchester United—will also make the final squad.

Former U-21 captain Grigoris Makos should take the last midfield spot in the final 23, though as a surprise inclusion in the provisional roster, uncapped veteran Sakis Prittas may be a bigger part of Rehhagel’s plans than is generally assumed.

Unsurprisingly, AEK Athens veteran Pantelis Kafes did not make the 30-man roster, after only featuring in a handful of games for his club this season.

Up front, Celtic’s Georgio Samaras, veteran Nuremburg striker Angelos Charisteas, and Herta Berlin’s Theofanis Gekas will all be featured, despite not seeing regular action at their clubs.

Panathinaikos’ Dimitris Salpigidis—who scored the winner against Ukraine that took Greece to the World Cup finals—is also a certainty.

The notable inclusion in Rehhagel’s roster is Steaua Bucharest striker Pantelis Kapetanos, though it is hardly surprising, given the 26-year old’s goal-scoring form for the Romanian side and recent first-team debut during Greece’s friendly defeat to Senegal.

Kapetanos is seen as a replacement for Eintract Frankfurt forward, Ioannis Amanatidis, who last month withdrew himself from contention due to injury.

Kapetanos’ inclusion may mean Olympiakos’ leading scorer Kostas Mitroglou misses out on the final 23, unless the usually defensively minded Rehhagel decides to take six strikers to South Africa and omit one of the younger defenders.

Rehhagel must submit his final selection of 23 players for Greece’s World Cup squad by FIFA’s June 01st deadline.

Greece: Full 30-Man Provisional Roster

Goalkeepers

Michalis Sifakis (Aris Salonika), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos), Kostas Chalkias (PAOK Salonika).

Defenders

Giorgos Seitaridis (Panathinaikos), Loukas Vyntra (Panathinaikos), Evangelos Moras (Bologna), Socrates Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Sotirios 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 (Nürnberg), Dimitris Salpigidis (Panathinaikos), Pantelis Kapetanos (Steaua Bucharest), Theofanis Gekas (Hertha Berlin), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic), Kostas Mitroglou (Olympiakos)

As the surprise winners of Euro 2004, Greece can never be underestimated.  But after failure to qualify for the last World Cup, a poor showing at Euro 2008, and under-whelming performances in this qualifying campaign, few Greek fans are optimistic about their prospects in South Africa. 

Greece was included in the top seeds for the qualifying draw and were rewarded with a relatively easy group, featuring Luxemburg, Moldova, Latvia, Israel, and eventual group winners, Switzerland—to whom Greece lost twice.  Seeding helped again in the play-offs when they were paired with an aging Ukraine. 

SCHEDULE

South Korea: June 12
Nigeria: June 17
Argentina: June 22

Greece’s only other appearance at a World Cup was their disastrous campaign in 1994, when they lost all three of their group games.  Two of those defeats were against Argentina and Nigeria and Greek fans may have felt an uneasy sense of déja vu when the 2010 draw brought the three nations together again. 

But it is their opening game against South Korea that could have the most impact on Greece’s World Cup prospects.  Though the Koreans have traditionally performed well at World Cups and were impressive in qualifying for South Africa, a win is not beyond Greece. 

Traveling north from the south coast of Port Elizabeth, Greece will face Nigeria at the high altitude stadium in Bloemfontein.  The Africans are not the force they once were, and Greek fans will feel they can get a result from this game. 

Argentina’s coach, Diego Maradona scored in his country’s 4-0 rout of Greece at the 1994 World Cup.  But Greece need not fear Maradona the coach, and will be hoping that the South American team’s erratic form under Maradona continues in South Africa.  Alternatively, if Argentina wins both their opening games, they may face Greece in the final group game in Polokwane with nothing to play for.

KEY PLAYERS

With 10 goals in qualifying, striker Theofanis Gekas is Greece’s key player in front of goal.  Even if his club form in Germany’s Bundesliga this season—initially for Bayer Leverkusen, then on loan at Hertha Berlin—has not been great, his predatory instincts in the six yard box provides much needed potency to Greece’s defensive system. 

Some of the veterans of Euro 2004 are still vital to the Greek cause.  Captain, Giorgios Karagounis remains the central cog of the midfield, while the defense will be buoyed by the recent return of full back Giorgios Seitaridis after a lengthy series of injuries.  In his absence, Liverpool’s Sotiris Kyrgiakos has helped provide the organization and solidity that is essential to Greece’s back line. 

The team biggest star is Celtic’s Georgio Samaras.  While the striker has not always fulfilled his undoubted talent, he scored a crucial goal against Israel in qualifying and may see the World Cup as an opportunity to work off the frustrations of a miserable season for his club. 

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

Greece’s main strength is undeniably their German coach Otto Rehhagel.  He has been in charge of the team since 2001 and masterminded that improbable Euro 2004 victory.  Rehhagel tactics involve a controlled and cautious approach often characterized as negative and boring, but which has brought results. 

Greece tends to play a defensive form of 4-3-3, with strong defenders and a hard-working midfield.  When defending a lead they can often put 10 men behind the ball and are very hard to break down.

Goals are Greece’s main weakness.  Aside from Gekas, only four other players scored in their qualifying campaign, and the team averaged only two goals a game in a weak group.  Their defensive set-up means they rely on moments of inspiration from their strikers or on set pieces—though admittedly this worked pretty well for them at Euro 2004. 

Greece has struggled to replace the retired veterans of that campaign and the squad’s younger players are very inexperienced at international level.  

 IT WOULD BE A GREAT WORLD CUP IF

After Euro 2004, some Greek fans have raised expectations about what their team can achieve.  The more realistic would probably be satisfied for Greece to simply get out of their group.  A second round match would see them face a side from Group A—one of the weaker sets in the tournament—so a quarterfinal place might be achievable.  After that, fans can start dreaming again.

IT WOULD BE A DISASTER IF

A repeat of the three meek defeats suffered at World Cup ’94 or Euro 2008, would be very disappointing.  Greek fans want to show the world that winning Euro 2004 was no fluke, and need a strong showing in South Africa to justify their current FIFA ranking as the 12^th best team in the world. 

MY PREDICTION

Predictions about Greece will always be tempered by that outsider’s charge to the championship at Euro 2004, but caveats aside, I believe Greece will not make it beyond the group stage. 

This World Cup seems set to produce more goals than usual and Greece’s defense simply isn’t as capable of stopping them as it was six years ago.  Theofanis Gekas may have been Europe’s top scorer in the qualifying campaign, but he is unlikely to find defenses as charitable in South Africa as they were in Latvia and Luxemburg. 

Barring an Argentinean implosion, there is realistically only one qualifying spot up for grabs, and South Korea appears more capable than Greece of taking it. 

Finally after after missing the three previous World Cups Greece qualified for South Africa after beating Ukraine in one of Europe's eight team playoff. Otto Reghhegal's men have been drawn into Group B in the Cup along with South Korea, Nigeria and Argentina.  With everyone expected to battle for second to Argentina, Greece will begin its campaign against South Korea on Saturday June 12.

King Otto Reghhegal having earned the nickname after guiding Greece in their first major Championship at Euro 2004. The defensive minded guru will not shock teams in South Africa but don't be surprised if this team makes it out of the group stage and advances to the quarterfinal stages.

Greece will employ all types of formations, so don't look for a set lineup while in the tourney. Formations vary from a 5-1-2-2 to a conventional 4-4-2 to a more aggressive 4-3-3 all depending upon who they are facing.

The Greeks will be a mix of veterans and several key youngsters that will see plenty of action.  There are a few hold overs from the 2004 winning team but most of that team has retired from international football.

Goalkeepers:(age) (bold my starters)

Alexandros Tzorvas (27) Panathinaikos

Greece's and Pana's #1 after 2009 season. Won league double in 2009-2010 season. Not many caps on the international level (6) but has earned the #1 through his play.

Costas Chalkias (35) POAK

One of the holdovers from 2004 Euro team and former #1 for Greece.  Didn't get any playing time in 2004.

Michalis Sifikias (25) Aris

Will battle for playing time if Tzorvas struggles in the two remaining friendlies before the World Cup.  A regular for Greece's under 21 team has only one cap for the big boys.

Defenders:

Loukas Vyntra (29), Nikos Spyropoulos (26), Giourkas Seitaridis (28) Panathinaikos

Sseitaridis is a regular for Greece is healthy.  Having played for several clubs including Athletico Madrid before returning Giourkas has always been a favorite of Rehhagal.

Vyntra will see action as one of the central defenders in Rehhagal system. Vyntra was on Greece 2008 Euro team that didn't get out of the group stage.

Spyropoulos is a wing defender with very good crossing ability. Always looking to move forward at a fault will have a hard time getting on the field.

Avraam Papadopoulos (26), Vasilis Torosidis (24), Georgios Galiatsios (23) Olympiacos

Both will see plenty of action in the World Cup. Papadopoulos has been steady for Olympiacos in the central of their defense.  Torosidis struggled with injury in 2009 but if healthy will see a role at either a right back or a defensive midfielder.  Torosidis has been linked to a few major teams in the transfer market and could possible move if he has a successful World Cup.

Galiatsios will serve as a backup here. Played very well for Olympiacos and earned a call up to National team for friendly against Senegal.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos (30) Liverpool, Vangelis Moras (28) Bologna, Sokraits Papastathopoulos (21) Genoa

Kyrgiakos will have the role of trying to keep the oppositions' best player in check. A tall physical central defender has been a mainstay for Greece since 2005.  A well traveled player with stops at PAO, Rangers, Eintracht Frankfurt, AEK Athens and now Liverpool.

Moras is a recent addition to the national team making his debut in 2009.  Moras has been a regular for his club team and will most likely be teamed with Kyrgiakos in central defense for Greece

Papastathopoulos is one of Greece's fast rising players. At the age of 21 he will have a hard time to crack this lineup but will gain valuable experience learning at this level.

Midfielders:

Georgos Karagounis (32), Kostas Katsouranis (30) Sotiris Ninis (21) Panathinaikos

Karagounis is the heart and soul of Greece. The captain leads this team in all faces and is a excellent free kick taker.  Georgos has played for PAO, InterMilan, Benfica before returning to PAO to end his career. 

Katsouranis will be a defensive midfielder for Greece in the World Cup.  Having played for AEK, Benfica, and PAO. Joins Karagounis as members of 2004 Euro championship team. 

Sotiris Ninis is dubbed the future of Greek Football. The 21 year old has been linked to many of the big clubs including Manchester United, Arsenal, and Barcellona.  Ninis dominated at the under 19 level winning the best player in Euro under 19 2007 tournament.  I look for Ninis to come off the bench and play a key role in adding speed to an aggressive counterattacking team.

Alexandros Tziolis (25) Sienna, Grigoiris Makos (23)

Tziolis had a hard time getting playing time for PAO before finding time for the Siere A squad. Tziolis has played for Werder Bremen in Germany in 2009 and help them get to the Europa Cup final. 

Makos is another new addtion to the National team. Grigoris was the under 21 captain for Greece and played in several of Greece's qualification matches leading to the World Cup.

Forwards:

Theofanis Gekas (29) Hertha, Giorgios Samaras (25) Celtic, Angelos Charisteas (30) Nuremberg

Gekas was Europe's leading goal scorer in qualifying matches. Theofanis has been the leading goal scorer in both Greece and in Germany.  The small quick forward is dangerous inside the box. Will be the focus of attention by the opposition.

Samaras is streaky goal scorer. Now with Celtic after a short and disappointing spell in Manchester City Giorgios has scored 25 goals in 40 appearances for Celtic. Samaras is a fine passer too with a highlight set up to help Greece qualify for Euro 2008 vs Turkey.

Charisteas is another holdover from 2004. Having scored the winning goal vs Portugal in 2004 Angelos has struggled with fitness and playing time in Germany.  Now playing for Nuremberg after stops in Bayer Leverkusen, Ajax, Feyenoord. The tall lanky forward is great with headers and using his body to create space.

Pantelis Kapetanos (26) Steaua Bucuresti, Kostas Mitroglou (22) Olympiacos Dmitiri Salpagidis (28) Panathinaikos

Kapetanos is yet another newcomer to the squad earning his first call up against Senegal in March.  Romania's top goal scorer has scored in half of his appearances for Steaua. 

Mitroglou was Olympiacos leading goal scorer in all competitions with 14. Having to wait his turn Kostas seized his opportunity when it came with 2 goals against arch rival Panathinaikos.  No stranger to the National team with 16 under 21 appearances netting 5 goals.

Salpagidis rounds out the strikers. The veteran of striker can play a variety of rolls for Greece and drop back to the midfield as well. Having scored the winning goal to get Greece to the Cup against Ukraine, Dimitri has added 7 goals for PAO during the season.

My starting eleven:

Tzorvas, Seitaridis, Moras, Kyrgiakos, Papadopoulos, Torosidis (Midfield), Katsouranis, Karagounis (captain), Samaras, Kapetanos, Gekas

With a mix of veterans and young players I look for Greece to finish second in Group B to Argentina and advance to the round of 16. Sotoris Ninis will provide Greece a spark off the bench. His speed and passing will allow Gekas and Samaras to become better finishers and aid Greece in progressing.

Results: Tie with South Korea 1-1, Win over Nigeria 2-0 and TIE with Argentina 0-0 (sorry all you fans of Nigeria and Korea but the game will mean nothing to Argentina and Greece will take the tie to advance)