When Greece unexpectedly won the 2004 European Championships, they beat hosts Portugal in the opening group match and when the two sides met again in the final. With Greece drawn against co-hosts Poland in Group A, they are now hoping that lightning will strike twice, as the teams play the opening match of the tournament in Warsaw on June 8.
"In our minds was Euro 2004," said striker Angelos Charisteas, who scored the winning goal when Greece beat Portugal to win the title and is one of several players still in the squad and keen to put their poor 2010 World Cup showing behind them.
Portuguese coach Fernando Santos, who took over from Otto Rehhagel after the disappointing performance in South Africa, has generated a more attacking team than the defensive-minded side under the German.
"Neither a Messi nor a Pele would have personal marking," said the 57-year-old, who has had four spells coaching league sides in Greece and has recently seen his contract extended to 2014, with a 45 percent pay rise.
"We have our own identity and will not change for anyone. I will not follow the tactics of Rehhagel. I want them to say that Santos' national team is a compact group with its own identity. We want to dominate the game," he added.
Santos, who had a modest playing career that lasted just four years with Maritimo and Estoril, said he wanted his players to stick to the style of play that served them well in qualifying top of their group.
"Our obligation is to dedicate ourselves 100 percent and stick to the fundamentals of our team," he said. "To have passion, organisation, a clear mind and always play to win."
Santos, who guided Porto to the 1999 league title and to two Cup victories in 2000 and 2001, believes Group A, which also includes Russia and the Czech Republic that Greece beat in the 2004 semi-finals, is wide open.
"The group that we have been drawn in is passable, as all the teams have a 25 percent chance of advancing," he said.
"I don't believe in lucky or unlucky draws. Everything will be decided on the pitch. I have total trust in my players and I know they will be ready for the group stages."
While Santos has a core of experienced players at his disposal, he has also blooded plenty of emerging talent. But a 3-1 defeat in a friendly against Romania which ended a 16-match unbeaten run served as a wake-up call.
"When we go to Austria for training later this month, I will take with me players who conform to the team's tactics. This is the basic criteria," he said. "Then, we will work on quality level and team spirit.
"I want players who can make up a strong team, both on and off the pitch. If you can create a compact group it is vastly important.
"It is important that the player gains this experience so that it makes him less nervous and allows him to develop as a personality within the group."
Santos, who will announce his squad to go an Austrian training camp on May 11, looks to have opted for Panathinaikos' goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis as first choice, with two attacking fullbacks in Olympiakos duo Vasilis Torosidis and Jose Cholembas.
In midfield, he has tried out two youngsters, Giorgos Fotakis and Giannis Fetfatzidis, but is more likely to call on grizzled veterans Kostas Katsouranis and team captain Giorgos Karagounis.
Charisteas remains in contention up front but Santos is expected to deploy wingers Giorgos Samaras -- fresh from winning the Scottish title with Celtic -- and Dimitris Salpigidis with Fanis Gekas as the target man as they seek a cutting edge. Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 0 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment Loading comments... Please wait
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