The surprise Euro 2004 winners make up Group B’s theme of teams no longer as strong as they once were, although considering Greece’s international history prior to 2004, just getting to South Africa was a huge achievement. The Greeks failed to qualify four years ago but in Otto Rehhagel they have one of the best operators in international management and their band of dependable, if unspectacular, players are surely good enough to claim a place in the second round at least.

Key Player – Sotiris Ninis

The Panathinaikos winger may be an unknown now but come July he could be one of the most sought after youngsters in Europe. Ninis has already attracted the likes of Manchester United and he is Greece’s youngest ever goalscorer having scored on his debut against Cyprus two years ago. The 20 year old may only have a handful of caps but he is the only player for Greece with the ability to create something from nothing.

Manager

The ‘German Brian Clough’ is one of Europe’s most undervalued coaches, a role he positively enjoys. Otto Rehhagel’s first game in charge in 2001, a 2-2 draw against England, set the tone for Greece’s unbelievable victory in Portugal in 2004. He achieved great success in Germany before becoming Greece manager and his acumen and experience is Greece’s main weapon in South Africa.

Squad

G: Kostas Chalkias
G: Michalis Sifakis
G: Alexandros Tzorvas
D: Sotirios Kyrgiakos
D: Stelios Malezas
D: Evanangelos Moras
D: Avraam Papadopoulos
D: Sokrates Papastathopoulos
D: Giorgos Seitaridis
D: Nikos Spiropoulos
D: Vasilis Torosidis
D: Loukas Vintra
M: Giorgos Karagounis
M: Kostas Katsouranis
M: Sotiris Ninis
M: Christos Patsatzoglou
M: Sakis Prittas
M: Alexandros Tziolis
F: Angelos Charisteas
F: Theofanis Gekas
F: Pantelis Kapetanos
F: Dimitris Salpigidis
F: Georgios Samaras