Greece v Czech Republic -PREVIEW
Upstarts Greece seek fairytale ending
Greece have punched well above their weight at Euro 2004 and now believe they can knock out the free-scoring Czech Republic to reach their first ever final.
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| Greek football players Takis Fyssas and Giorgos Karagounis jog during a team training at the Rio Ave stadium in Villa do Conte, 17 June 2004. Greece which drew 1-1 with Spain yesterday, will play Russia 20 June. AFP PHOTO GIORGOS MATTHEOS |
The Greeks face the beaten finalists from 1996 in the competition's second semi-final at the Dragao stadium on Thursday.
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| Greek coach Otto Rehhagel (L) celebrates with midfielder Vasileios Tsiartas (C) and goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis after beating France 1-0, 25 June 2004 during their European Nations Championship quarter-final football match at the Estadio Jose de Alvalade in Lisbon. AFP PHOTO Lluis GENE |
Under wily German coach Otto Rehhagel the Greek philosophy outsmarted two of the pre-championship favourites, Portugal and France with smash-and-grab victories.
Their success has been built on a rock-solid defence and a strong worth ethic and their swift counter-attacking play has reaped rich rewards.
Midfielder Georgios Karagounis is happy to have put Greek football on the map, but having proved they can live with the big boys and confidence sky high, he now feels they can make the final.
"The Czechs have won all of their four matches and are favourites on Thursday and maybe for the championships," said the 27-year-old.
"We have nothing to lose but it's such a huge occasion we don't want to let it pass us by. We desperately want to reach the final."
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| Czech Republic's midfielder Vladimir Smicer jubilates after his goal 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, during the Euro 2004 group D football match against Netherlands at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Joe KLAMAR |
Veteran Czech striker Vladimir Smicer said Greece's march to the semis reminded him of his own team's performances at Euro '96 when they took everybody by surprise by reaching the final, which they lost to Germany.
"They are like the Czech team in 1996. Nobody expected us to get to the final but we were there," said the Liverpool forward.
"So we must be very careful, they are not just there because they had luck. They've played some very good games and I think it will not be easy for us.
Five players are walking the suspension tightrope and will miss the final if they are booked on Thursday.
They are Giorgios Karagounis and Theodoros Zagorakis for Greece and Marek Jankulovski, Tomas Ujfalusi and Pavel Nedved for the Czechs.
Teams
Greece: Antonios Nikopolidis, Georgios Seitaridis, Mihalis Kapsis, Trianos Dellas, Panagiotis Fyssas, Theodoros Zagorakis (capt), Angelis Basinas, Georgios Karagounis, Konstantinos Katsouranis, Zisis Vryzas, Angelos Charisteas.
Coach: Otto Rehhagel
Czech Republic: Petr Cech, Zdenek Grygera, Tomas Ujfalusi, Rene Bolf, Marek Jankulovski, Tomas Galasek, Karel Poborsky, Tomas Rosicky, Pavel Nedved (capt), Jan Koller, Milan Baros
Coach: Karel Bruckner
Referee: Pierluigi Collina (ITA)