Greece
Greece took a lot of people by surprise when they won the European Cup of Nations in 2004. But instead of building on the 2004 success, the performance of the team took a nosedive. Though they have been to the World Cup before, Greece has not won a game, let alone score a goal. One of their main players in the 2010 World Cup are Sotirios Kyrgiakos, the Liverpool monster in central defence. There is also Kostas Katsouranis, the defensive midfielder. The playmaking responsibilities will fall at the capable feet of captain Giorgos Karagounis assisted by Angelos Charisteas and Georgios Samaras. Theofanis Gekas, the top scorer in the European World Cup qualifiers with 10 goals is not big or fast. But if you judge players solely on goals scored in World Cup qualifying, then Gekas is better than Wayne Rooney.
Greece has been under the tutelage of German Otto Rehhagel since 2001. He took a lot of credit for Greece's historic Euro 2004 victory. The Greek fans call him 'King Otto'. He has been criticised for Greece's defensive tactics that failed in Euro 2008. The current approach is not necessarily pretty, as it is all about getting the ball to the big strikers as quickly as possible, but it is not as cautious as Euro 2004.
