Nations / Dave Farrar / 03 June 2008 / 3 Comments

Dave Farrar reminds us how Greece won Euro 2004 and praises their "bouncebackability" after failing to qualify for the last World Cup. But just how far can they go this time round?

QUALIFYING

After failing so badly to build on their win at Euro 2004, and qualify for the 2006 World Cup, there was plenty of trepidation surrounding Greece's Euro 2008 campaign, with fans worried that they wouldn't even get to the starting line in the quest to defend their title. After starting with three wins, including a hugely impressive 4-0 in Bosnia, they imploded in dramatic fashion at home against Turkey, losing 4-1, and their world seemed to be collapsing. That they steadied the ship, and battled through, is of enormous credit to them, and that defeat by the Turks was avenged, 1-0, in the away fixture. In fact, the 4-1 reverse, during which the goalkeeper Nikopolidis had the worst night of his career, was their only defeat in qualifying. They come into Euro 2008 in good form, battle-hardened, and with a fair chance of making a good defence of their title.

COACH: Otto REHHAGEL

What more is there for a coach to achieve after he has become a king? Otto Rehhagel was always admired for his astuteness in guiding Werder Bremen to the Bundesliga, and for becoming the only coach to win the League with a promoted team, Kaiserslautern in 1998. No one could have foreseen the extent to which his man management skills would bond Greece into a team capable of winning Euro 2004. He was offered the Germany job after that, and turning it down looked a mistake after Greece failed to qualify for the World Cup, but he appears to have galvanised them again. They are in a group from which they can easily qualify, and won't be scared of a likely quarter final against Italy or France, the latter of whom they beat on the way to winning Euro 2004.

KEY PLAYERS

Theofanis GEKAS

There's nothing fancy about Greece, and nothing particularly complicated about their most important player. Gekas topped the Bundesliga scoring charts two years ago with Bochum and his move to Bayer Leverkusen has been a success, despite a mid season dip in form, he ended up with 11 goals. He is in the team to work hard and to score goals, and is a better finisher than the key man in Euro 2004, Angelos Charisteas. He has to be a live outsider for tournament top scorer as, despite a likely lack of chances, he is so very good in front of goal.

Antonis NIKOPOLIDIS

A George Clooney look-alike he may be, but unfortunately Clooney might have been a better bet in goal for much of this season. His performance in the home defeat by Turkey was awful, and he has been far from rock steady in Olympiakos' title win, even though he did play all but one of the Superleague games. For a team whose chances are based on their solidity, Greece need a confident last line of defence and they no longer have one. A huge minus when evaluating Greece's chances in the summer, and for that reason, he must count as a key player.

Angelos BASINAS

Much credit was rightfully showered on this season's Spanish League top scorer, Dani Guiza, but Angelos Basinas was another of the reasons for the late season form which hurtled Real Mallorca up La Liga. He has often suffered for his versatility, playing out of position and being heavily criticised for his part in the failure to qualify for the last World Cup. He has shown great mental strength to become an important player in the centre of midfield once more, and is now the captain of a team which still relies heavily on his delivery from set pieces. Has never been a prolific goalscorer, although is the Greek penalty taker and scored a spectacular goal in qualifying against Malta. Because of his assists, is one for fantasy leagues rather than Betfair markets.

VERDICT

Greece seemed like a limited team at the last European Championships and yet they showed just how far great organisation can take you. They were dreadful in the qualifiers for the last World Cup but have regrouped and have a realistic chance of qualifying from their group. This time, though, a quarter final against France may just prove a game too far. I still see them as value to qualify, though, and will take the [2.66] that they make it out of Group D, and the [4.3] in Betfair's "straight forecast" market, that Spain finish first and Greece second.

Tags: Basinas, Euro 2008 bets, Greece Euro 2008 winners