I think the OP's username might be a good reflection on Greece at the World Cup.
Greece at the World Cup
- Thread starter No F in Chance
- Start date
I love how people are always bashing the Greeks for being dull and shite
When did a flashy big team like England or Holland last win anything? Not since dull shitty old Greece last did anyway..... and I'm British not a Greek lol
When did a flashy big team like England or Holland last win anything? Not since dull shitty old Greece last did anyway..... and I'm British not a Greek lol
Everyone has their own specific taste in football styles, but you can't criticize a team for doing their best to increase their chances of winning football matches. I can understand why some fans didn't like the Netherlands's approach in the 2010 WC with van Bommel and De Jong trying to "exterminate" anyone within their range, or England under Eriksson (although i believe you'd be favorites if Seaman hadn't conceded that ridiculous goal which literally saved Brazil in 2002). But the Greek national team simply doesn't have the quality to play differently. Anyway, i believe we really asked Poland some questions in the opening game of the last Euro, our group "final" vs Russia was a very entertaining and intense football game and we put up a fight against a way better German side for 70 minutes.
These are the 23 players who will be on the plane to Brazil
Goalkeepers: Karnezis (Granada), Glykos (PAOK), Kapino (Panathinaikos)
Defenders: Manolas (Olympiacos), Holebas (Olympiacos), Moras (Hellas Verona), Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund), Tzavellas (PAOK), Vyntra (Levante), Torosidis (AS Roma).
Midfielders: Tziolis (Kayserispor), Samaris (Olympiacos), Maniatis (Olympiacos), Katsouranis (PAOK), Karagounis (Fulham), Tachtsidis (Torino), Fetfatzidis (Genoa), Christodoulopoulos (Bologna), Kone (Bologna).
Forwards: Salpingidis (PAOK), Samaras (Celtic), Mitroglou (Fulham), Gekas (Konyaspor).
Goalkeepers: Karnezis (Granada), Glykos (PAOK), Kapino (Panathinaikos)
Defenders: Manolas (Olympiacos), Holebas (Olympiacos), Moras (Hellas Verona), Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund), Tzavellas (PAOK), Vyntra (Levante), Torosidis (AS Roma).
Midfielders: Tziolis (Kayserispor), Samaris (Olympiacos), Maniatis (Olympiacos), Katsouranis (PAOK), Karagounis (Fulham), Tachtsidis (Torino), Fetfatzidis (Genoa), Christodoulopoulos (Bologna), Kone (Bologna).
Forwards: Salpingidis (PAOK), Samaras (Celtic), Mitroglou (Fulham), Gekas (Konyaspor).
Kryriakos Papadopoulos still injured?
Yes, just when it seemed that he had put his knee problems behind him he dislocated his shoulder in late April.
Didn't get a chance to watch the match vs Portugal but from what i heard Fetfatzidis deserves to be starting. Does anyone know how bad Sokratis' injury is??
Sokratis is OK, the CT showed he suffers from a bone edema that will keep him out for 3-4 days. He'll probably miss the friendly match against Nigeria but he'll be fine for the first match of the group phase. The reports for Manolas' injury are also positive, the doctors said he just sprained his ankle a little bit but he is fine. Good news, while watching the game i thought that our CBs must be cursed or something. This was the only position we didn't have problems and then our defenders started dropping like flies, first Kyriakos and Avraam, then Siovas...
You didn't miss anything, all went as expected. We wanted a tough opponent with players who can run with the ball in the midfield and wingers and forwards who are good in 1v1 situations and Portugal, even without Ronaldo, were a good test. We played with a 3 men midfield, Tziolis was the anchorman, Katsouranis played as a deep lying play maker and Maniatis was the b2b midfielder, but unfortunately it didn't work. Those three couldn't hold on to the ball for more than 3 seconds, their passes were always sideways or backwards and of course they couldn't run through the midfield with or without the ball. We spent most of the game trying 30m hoof balls towards Mitroglou (also in bad shape). It's sad to admit it, but only when the 36 yo Karagounis came in we found some cohesion and composure in our midfield. Portugal knew Samaras was the only player who is good on the ball so they were always closing him down in the midfield. Plus there was always a Portuguese player keeping an eye on him and never allowing him to cut inside from the left wing.
When Fetfatzidis came in, we had two wingers who were good on the ball. He really grabbed the chance Santos gave him from the neck, he created the best chance of the game all by himself (he stole the ball between the FB's feet on the corner line, went into the box, dribbled the CB and tried to score). But the question is, can we afford to play both Samaras and Fetfatzidis on the wings when our midfield can't withhold the opposition and control the tempo? Last night Samaras was the only player who was instructed not to track back but stay close to Mitroglou and Holebas faced a lot of problems on his side whenever the Portuguese RB was doing overlaps. I believe Santos will use Fetfatzidis as an ace in his sleeve when we have to chase games. Salpingidis' defensive contribution and work rate is more than necessary for this team.
Thanks for the analysis 
Its been mentioned a couple of times in this thread but its clear how shockingly poor the midfield is.
Also, from the perspective of the national team, its a shame that Mitroglou went to Fulham instead of staying at Oly until the end of the season. Now he's going to the World Cup having completely lost his form
Its been mentioned a couple of times in this thread but its clear how shockingly poor the midfield is.Also, from the perspective of the national team, its a shame that Mitroglou went to Fulham instead of staying at Oly until the end of the season. Now he's going to the World Cup having completely lost his form
Mitroglou didn't even touch the ball, it's hard to guage his fitness when we had about two touches in Portugal's penalty area. The whole midfield is a complete joke, possibly consisting of the worst three players at the tournament. They just pass it backwards or sidewards until one of them eventually launches it long to nobody. Anyone could see that yet Santos is so stubborn that he subbed everyone off but that useless twat Katsouranis.
Salpi, Tziolis, Kats should not be starting. Kone, Fetfa, Samaris and Tacchidis all need to be given more game time.
Salpi, Tziolis, Kats should not be starting. Kone, Fetfa, Samaris and Tacchidis all need to be given more game time.
Shame that Kyriakos Papadopoulos not going World Cup
I love his defending style and want him at United
I love his defending style and want him at United
I don't want to underestimate Costa Rica considering their results so far, but theres a real chance Greece could be in the quaters!!
After all the reports of arguments/fighting etc. they all seem to be getting along pretty well too
After all the reports of arguments/fighting etc. they all seem to be getting along pretty well too
I've been following the Greek team for some time now. Our two best players on Bologna are both Greek (Kone and Lazaros) so I've come to follow the national team somewhat. To be honest the disrespect shown on this board, and most notably the English media/people in general towards the Greek national team is disgusting. The truth is, the attacking potential on that team is phenomenal and they have great potential. They have lots of technical players who love to attack and some very good holding midfielders. (Kone, Lazaros, Samaris, Tachtsidis, Fetfatzidis, Samaras, etc). Their main problem lies with their coach who continuously plays their old and aging midfielders who have no place in the starting 11 (Maniatis, Katsouranis, Tziolis, etc). Even Karagounis should not be anywhere near the 11, but he does have a place on the team. The aforementioned 3 have absolutely zero place on the team and are holding back the team from showing their true potential as Santos continuously plays them and ignores the yuonger more technical players.
If Santos let this team play to their potential they coudl do some real damage. This was evident in the Ivory Coast match when, due to Katsouranis' red card had to insert Lazaros in the 11 and then due to an injury insert Samaris in centremid. We saw a totally different Greece. A midfield of Lazaros-Tachtsidis-Samaris-Kone would completely alter this team. To add to that, Santos continuously ignores Fetfatzidis on the wing in favor of Salpingidis. A front three of Fetfatzidis, Mitroglou and Samaras coupled with the previously mentioned midfield and this team is flying.
Not to mention they have one of the top defences in the world and a top, top CB pairing with Manolas and Sokratis (just imagine when Kyriakos Papas comes back) and good fullbacks with Holebas (who Roberto Carlos called the best LB in the world, and Torosidis (who had a pretty good year at Roma).
With Santos this team is set up defensively (no complaints, it is their strength). But his selections in midfield and up front are horrid. Hopefully when Ranieri comes he sets them up right and makes the right selections, cause in addition to a top defence, this team has scary attacking potential.
The hate and disrespect towards them however is astounding, clearly comes from people who really have no idea what they are talking about. Just look at the comments in this thread. The funny thing is, the hate is mostly from the English. The Greek team would smash the England team. They play with heart and tremendous passion, something which many countries severely lack.
If Santos let this team play to their potential they coudl do some real damage. This was evident in the Ivory Coast match when, due to Katsouranis' red card had to insert Lazaros in the 11 and then due to an injury insert Samaris in centremid. We saw a totally different Greece. A midfield of Lazaros-Tachtsidis-Samaris-Kone would completely alter this team. To add to that, Santos continuously ignores Fetfatzidis on the wing in favor of Salpingidis. A front three of Fetfatzidis, Mitroglou and Samaras coupled with the previously mentioned midfield and this team is flying.
Not to mention they have one of the top defences in the world and a top, top CB pairing with Manolas and Sokratis (just imagine when Kyriakos Papas comes back) and good fullbacks with Holebas (who Roberto Carlos called the best LB in the world, and Torosidis (who had a pretty good year at Roma).
With Santos this team is set up defensively (no complaints, it is their strength). But his selections in midfield and up front are horrid. Hopefully when Ranieri comes he sets them up right and makes the right selections, cause in addition to a top defence, this team has scary attacking potential.
The hate and disrespect towards them however is astounding, clearly comes from people who really have no idea what they are talking about. Just look at the comments in this thread. The funny thing is, the hate is mostly from the English. The Greek team would smash the England team. They play with heart and tremendous passion, something which many countries severely lack.
I am new here and felt compelled to join if only to post this ! haha
though I'm sure I'll hang around but not too much as I'm an Everton fan
CMON HELLAS! X