Soccer-Euro-Battling Greeks revel in surprise package status
By Karolos Grohmann

PORTO, June 17 (Reuters) – Greece have deservedly earned the title
of surprise team at Euro 2004 after sparkling performances against
two of the tournament favourites.

Their shock victory over hosts Portugal in the opening game and a
battling draw with a talented Spanish side have put Greece top of
Group A, only a point away from their first quarter-finals with one
game to play.

“These matches have shown that we are not a firework, that we did
not come here as tourists,” central defender Michalis Kapsis said.

Playing inspiring football at times, Greeks booked their place at the
tournament by winning six straight qualifiers, including away games
in Spain, Northern Ireland and Armenia.

That was already a major success for the Greeks and few were ready
to bet on them going past the group stage, which also includes Russia.

“Of course we are the outsiders,” said German coach Otto Rehhagel,
who took over the team three years ago. “Look at the football histories
of the three countries in our group. We can’t match that.”

But his players have eclipsed the soccer traditions of their rivals
and are firmly on course for the last eight.

With a mixture of young and old, Rehhagel has sculpted a team capable
of beating the best in Europe.

They have only lost twice in the last 20 internationals and have an
eight-game unbeaten run in competitive games,

But the experienced coach, with an illustruous 30-year Bundesliga
career behind him, is still calling for caution.

“Nothing has been won. Everyone says we are through to the next round
but that is not true,” he said on Thursday.

Few would bet against them now, though.

FIGHTING SPIRIT

It was not too long ago when Greece, following dismal appearances at
the 1980 European Championship and 1994 World Cup, where they conceded
10 goals in three matches, were renowned for quickly throwing in
the towel.

“Greece came to this tournament with a tag reading: this is a strong
defensive team which can only play well if it scores, but crumbles
when it concedes goals,” Kapsis said.

“Against Spain we had team spirit, we fought for 90 minutes and we
showed we can turn round the game after being 1-0 down. This is the
most positive thing to come out of the Spain match.”

Greece battled on against the Spaniards, even after falling 1-0
behind in the first half and managed to grab an equaliser midway
through the second.

“The Spaniards had a better team but we had soul,” striker Demis
Nikolaidis said. “Our secret is that we fight for 90 minutes.”

06/17/04 13:25 ET

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress