Euro 2008
Euro 2008 Team Review: Greece
A review of Greece's performance at Euro 2008 as the reigning European champions crashed out in the group stages after defeats to Russia, Spain and Sweden.
Otto Rehhagel failed to guide Greece into the knockout stages
How did they do? Miserably. From European champions in 2004 to an embarrassing exit four years on, bottom of Group D and the only nation in the championships that failed to register a single point. It could have been different, with close games against Sweden and Russia that might have swung either way. The cold truth is that they were out after two games with no goals to their name and the defence they were so reliant on in Portugal fell to bits.
High Difficult to find one, except the moment when they boarded the plane back home and the players could return to their clubs and get on with their careers. Taking the lead against Spain offered some relief, with 2004 hero Charisteas netting, but even this dead rubber ended in a Greek tragedy as Guiza scored two minutes from the end to secure a 2-1 win for Luis Aragonés’s side.
Low After defeat to Sweden, their game with Russia was a play-off to remain in contention to progress into the last eight but Greece’s lack of cutting edge and urgency suggested there was little hunger to attempt a second miracle. A dour game ended 1-0 to Guus Hiddink’s men and Greece’s players sauntered off, disappointed but not surprised. It’s like they had suffered a reality check in the weeks leading up to the tournament and decided to stick to their rank this time around.
Coach Otto Rehhagel looks set to remain in charge until the 2010 World Cup, but only after intense criticism of his management during Greece’s fleeting visit to Austria. They also failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, so in spite of Rehhagel’s legendary status, patience is running thin. A bad start to qualifying could see him out before the year 2010 is reached. Tough, but Greece cannot afford to sit on their exceptional triumph for the next few decades while spending summers watching others fight it out for major honours.
Key player Traianos Dellas. Usually a bull in defence, and although Greece conceded five in their three matches, Dellas at least offered some heart and endeavour at the back but ultimately these sentiments proved futile in Greece’s doomed campaign.
What next? An ageing squad needs to disband if Greece are to make the 2010 World Cup. After failing in 2006, there is a sense of urgency over making it to South Africa if Greece are to attempt to consolidate their glory of 2004 and inspire a new generation of talent. They will be thankful for a relatively simple group, with Israel and Switzerland their main opposition.
Match stats
| GREECE | 0 | 2 | SWEDEN Ibrahimovic 67 Hansson 73 |
| GREECE | 0 | 1 | RUSSIA Zyryanov 34 |
| GREECE Charisteas 42 |
1 | 2 | SPAIN De la Red 61 Guiza 88 |
| Group D | P | GD | Pts | |
| 1 | SPAIN | 3 | 5 | 9 |
| 2 | RUSSIA | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | SWEDEN | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 | GREECE | 3 | -4 | 0 |
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