Greece

Greece has won only once in their World Cup history but their aim this year is to qualify from the group. Judging on their opponents in Group C, this will probably be a tough job.

Clean sheet is Greece’s second name

Fernando Santos, Greece’s coach said before the Euro 2012: “Greece don’t have a Messi, so it’s tactics first, then quality second.” This way he told the media and fans two things. First, his team lacks quality and secondly, players believe in a system and are willing to do anything for the team.

Greece had to beat Romania in the play-offs to ensure a place in the World Cup but generally had a good qualifying – keeping clean sheet in each of their five group stage games this year. But their defensive solidity has its second nature – they score a small amount of goals – just 12 in 10 games. Which means they don’t create a lot of chances.

That’s why they heavily count on striker Kostas Mitroglou who had a two-faced season this year. In 2013, he flourished in Olympiakos, guiding his team into the Round of 16 of the Champions League and scoring 21 goals in 23 games. But then, bigger clubs came knocking and the Greek club sold him to Fulham. The Londoners counted on his goals but he never really delivered and his form is in question although there are some strong indications that if he didn’t make it to a relegated side, he is basically out of shape completely.

Spare tyre in defence

Greeks also had high hopes for their Bundesliga centre back partnership – Sokratis of Borussia Dortmund and Schalke’s Papdopoulos. Unfortunately, the latter was injuried for most of the season and featured in just five games for his club. Thus, he won’t be able to compete at the highest level and will be replaced by experienced Vangelis Moras of Hellas Verona. He had a good season with the Italian club (they’ve finished tenth in Serie A) but had problems in the past with Santos and said that he feels like a spare tyre in the team.

Greece will have problems with their ageing midfielder. At 37,  Giorgios Karagounis still played a part in Premier League season. Fulham were relegated but the fans could not have complain about his work rate, although he can’t do everything himself and has a habit of disappearing physically and the end of games. He will be accompanied by Maniatis and Tziolis who are their peak years but neither of them provides creativity the Greeks need.

This will be a tough group stage for Greece but in every game they have a shot at winning it. They are strong in defence but bar Mitroglou, they lack quality upfront which may be decisive in their hopes of advancing.

Playing style

Greece uses a 4-3-3 formation with three holding midfielders. They are very strong in defence and should be able to resist pressure for a long time. They are though weak in transition and they will try to slow the tempo down. Although they are more proactive than during their Euro 2004 run, they are still one of the most defensive sides in this World Cup.

Coach

Fernando Santos took charge of the Greek side in 2010 but is well known in the country since 2001, when he started coaching AEK Athens and then Panathinaikos. From 2007 till 2010 he coached PAOK. He is a four time winner of the Greek League’s Manager of the Year award.

Schedule and BETEGY predictions

14th June, Belo Horizonte: vs. Colombia (0-1)

19th June, Natal: vs. Japan (0-1)

24th June, Fortaleza: vs. Ivory Coast (0-1)

They’ve won their games mostly with a 1-0 scoreline in the qualifiers and now they should lose all their matches  in the same fashion. Although their chances of advancing are not so slim (39%), BETEGY thinks they will return home with no points.