FIFA World Cup 2010
Greece
 GreeceHellenic Football Federation (Greek: Ελληνική Ποδοσφαιρική Ομοσπονδία ) Confederation: UEFA Head coach: Otto Rehhagel Captain: Giorgos Karagounis Top scorer: Nikos Anastopoulos FIFA ranking: 11 World Cup Appearances: 1 Team Colors: Best Results
World Cup Round 1, 1994 European Championship Winners, 2004 |
After winning the Euro Cup 2004, the team directed by Otto Rehhagel, classified for the second time in its history to the World Cup. The German coach didn’t qualify the team to the 2006 World Cup, leaving in doubt its strategy to command the team.
Although it lacked the approval of many, the veteran coach did make the cut and now, after 16 years of waiting, has guided the Hellenic team to the World Cup.
Qualifying Stage
In the qualifying stage, the Greeks showed that they could achieve their dream: a place in the World Cup. They qualify at the top of their group after adding eight goals and zero against them in the first round.
At the end, they had an all-or-nothing series against Ukraine for their ticket to the World Cup. This was the same team that the Greeks had face in their failed route to Germany 2006. After a 0-0 draw on November 14th 2009, both teams were playing at their best in the last and decisive game. Behind a hard-fought match Greece's team seem to pushed into defending their terrain. The team needed to attack in the second half but they couldn’t bring any positive results.
In the next game, the two teams meet at the Olympic Stadium. The Ukrainians attacked easily. Just 7 minutes into the game it seemed that like an Ukrainian shot would reach the goal but Tzorvas Alexandros cleared the attempt and the ball didn’t go inside the net. 31 minutes into the game Dimitrios Salpiqidis scored the solitary only goal for the match. The one goal that granted Greece a ticket to South Africa.
Players
The squad led by Rehhagel will have great veterans in their lineup such the striker Angelos Charisteas, who will tried to add goals for his team on this World Cup. They will also have forward Theofanis Gekas and team captain Giorgios Karagounis. These are only three veterans that will play for Greece, hoping to improve the three defeats they suffered in the USA World Cup of 1994.
Head Coach
Since 1974 Rehhagel the kind der Bundesliga (child of the Bundesliga) has added several victories and gained a lot of experience. Rehhagel spent 14 seasons as a coach of Bremen between 1981 and 1995, making this team one of the most powerful forces in the German League. They won the league tournament in 1988 and 1993, then the German Cup in 1991 and 1994, and the Super Cup in 1988, 1993 and 1994. Then he continued as coach of Bayern Munich and Kaiserslautern. In 2001, coach Rehhagel decided to take the reins of the Greek team, one of the weakest teams in the continent. But he managed to lead them three years later to an historical performance at the Euro Cup in Portugal.
At 72 years-old Rehhagel will be the oldest coach in the tournament. This is the first World Cup in which he participates.