plato-ny
03-24-2005, 03:08 AM
It a month old, but relevant to the current and future state of national team.
22 February 2005
by FIFAworldcup.com
Following their narrow win over Denmark, European champions Greece are back in with a fighting chance of taking part in the FIFA World Cup 2006™. In an exclusive interview with FIFAworldcup.com, coach Otto Rehhagel speaks at length about Greece’s qualifying group, his side’s prospects for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2005 and his feelings at being named “Greek of the Year 2004.�
After the 2-1 win over Denmark, Greece’s national team is back on track with eight points from five matches. Was that victory a turning point in the struggle to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2006?
We hope so. Still, I don’t want to talk about a turning point. What has happened so far in our group reflects the balance between four teams with practically equal chances of going through. The way is open for us again. Nothing is won, nothing is lost.
Are you surprised by Ukraine topping your group?
Not at all. In Shevchenko, a world-class forward, and Voronin, they have an outstanding striking duo. Ukraine, Greece, Denmark and Turkey are four teams of similar strength. What will prove decisive is which teams have their key players available most often.
At the moment it looks as if Turkey and Denmark, sides which reached the semi-finals and the Round of Sixteen respectively at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, might miss out?
At first glance that’s the way the table looks. The only team that can gain a decisive advantage is Ukraine. But we should not forget Albania and Georgia either. Everything in our group is still too close to call.
How do you explain the initial problems your team encountered on the road to the World Cup in Germany? Did they have problems coming down to earth after the European Championship victory?
The reason is actually different. August is the holiday month in Greece, so we had to go into the first ‘double-header’ against Albania and Turkey at the beginning of September without preparation. In addition, we were missing some important players, including Dellas, who is irreplaceable in our defence.
What has changed in your team in terms of structure and personnel since the European Championship?
Nothing. In our most recent World Cup qualifier against Denmark there were 10 players in our starting eleven who had begun the European Championship opening match against Portugal. And the eleventh player, Michalis Kapsis, would have played as well had he not been ill. This wonderful squad is dear to my heart. This was one of the reasons why I decided to remain national coach in Greece after the European Championship.
And because the national team is now much more highly regarded?
In the past, the Greek national team was always overshadowed by the big clubs. Many of our international players are scattered around Europe. Nevertheless, we grew into a cohesive group, like a club team. That made people really enthusiastic.
At the European Championship in Portugal your side emerged as a classic tournament team. Will it be the same at the FIFA Confederations Cup?
Tournament team is not completely right. In the last European Championship group game against Russia, when suddenly a place in the quarter-finals was within our grasp, all the spontaneity and calmness that we demonstrated against Portugal and Spain disappeared. In the dressing-room everyone was very nervous. Everyone found themselves unexpectedly under pressure, and you could see that in the way we played in that defeat by Russia. After that we had nothing to lose – and we won everything. We are looking forward very much to the Confederations Cup.
Are you concerned that after the excitement of playing world champions Brazil, your team will go off the boil in the following matches against Japan and Mexico?
Not at all. Of course the game against Brazil will be the most important. How often do you get the chance to play against Brazil? They charge a lot of money for friendly games. But my players know that during the whole tournament this summer in Germany they will be in the shop window and in the spotlight as European champions. And I know that my boys have always given everything in the three years since I took charge, whether in friendly games or qualifying matches.
What importance does the FIFA Confederations Cup hold for you and your team?
As I say, we are delighted that the draw has brought us Brazil. And my team are really looking forward to discovering the new World Cup stadiums in Germany. The tournament is another important milestone in the development of my team. Even European champions have things to learn.
Shortly before the start of the tournament in Germany, Greece face a vital double-header in Turkey on 4 June and against Ukraine on 8 June. Will your team travel to the FIFA Confederations Cup having already qualified for the World Cup?
The two games are certainly decisive, but afterwards there will still be three matches left, including a difficult away game in Denmark. I can hardly believe that the die will already be cast at the beginning of June in such an evenly-balanced group.
At the FIFA Confederations Cup workshop, the programme for you and your fellow coaches included a visit to the stadiums. What was your impression?
You can’t get any more perfect than those stadia.
The honours continue to flow for you personally. You were recently named the World National Coach of the Year, and in Greece you became the first foreigner ever to be named Greek of the Year, ahead even of Prime Minister Karamanlis. Is that the greatest honour you have received?
No. For me the highest honour was to become an honorary citizen of the city of Athens. I would never have believed that possible.
How long will you remain Greece’s national coach?
At my age you generally don’t think about the future. I live in the here and now. I am looking forward to the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches and especially to the Confederations Cup. And my greatest dream is to go with my boys to Germany for the World Cup.
22 February 2005
by FIFAworldcup.com
Following their narrow win over Denmark, European champions Greece are back in with a fighting chance of taking part in the FIFA World Cup 2006™. In an exclusive interview with FIFAworldcup.com, coach Otto Rehhagel speaks at length about Greece’s qualifying group, his side’s prospects for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2005 and his feelings at being named “Greek of the Year 2004.�
After the 2-1 win over Denmark, Greece’s national team is back on track with eight points from five matches. Was that victory a turning point in the struggle to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2006?
We hope so. Still, I don’t want to talk about a turning point. What has happened so far in our group reflects the balance between four teams with practically equal chances of going through. The way is open for us again. Nothing is won, nothing is lost.
Are you surprised by Ukraine topping your group?
Not at all. In Shevchenko, a world-class forward, and Voronin, they have an outstanding striking duo. Ukraine, Greece, Denmark and Turkey are four teams of similar strength. What will prove decisive is which teams have their key players available most often.
At the moment it looks as if Turkey and Denmark, sides which reached the semi-finals and the Round of Sixteen respectively at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, might miss out?
At first glance that’s the way the table looks. The only team that can gain a decisive advantage is Ukraine. But we should not forget Albania and Georgia either. Everything in our group is still too close to call.
How do you explain the initial problems your team encountered on the road to the World Cup in Germany? Did they have problems coming down to earth after the European Championship victory?
The reason is actually different. August is the holiday month in Greece, so we had to go into the first ‘double-header’ against Albania and Turkey at the beginning of September without preparation. In addition, we were missing some important players, including Dellas, who is irreplaceable in our defence.
What has changed in your team in terms of structure and personnel since the European Championship?
Nothing. In our most recent World Cup qualifier against Denmark there were 10 players in our starting eleven who had begun the European Championship opening match against Portugal. And the eleventh player, Michalis Kapsis, would have played as well had he not been ill. This wonderful squad is dear to my heart. This was one of the reasons why I decided to remain national coach in Greece after the European Championship.
And because the national team is now much more highly regarded?
In the past, the Greek national team was always overshadowed by the big clubs. Many of our international players are scattered around Europe. Nevertheless, we grew into a cohesive group, like a club team. That made people really enthusiastic.
At the European Championship in Portugal your side emerged as a classic tournament team. Will it be the same at the FIFA Confederations Cup?
Tournament team is not completely right. In the last European Championship group game against Russia, when suddenly a place in the quarter-finals was within our grasp, all the spontaneity and calmness that we demonstrated against Portugal and Spain disappeared. In the dressing-room everyone was very nervous. Everyone found themselves unexpectedly under pressure, and you could see that in the way we played in that defeat by Russia. After that we had nothing to lose – and we won everything. We are looking forward very much to the Confederations Cup.
Are you concerned that after the excitement of playing world champions Brazil, your team will go off the boil in the following matches against Japan and Mexico?
Not at all. Of course the game against Brazil will be the most important. How often do you get the chance to play against Brazil? They charge a lot of money for friendly games. But my players know that during the whole tournament this summer in Germany they will be in the shop window and in the spotlight as European champions. And I know that my boys have always given everything in the three years since I took charge, whether in friendly games or qualifying matches.
What importance does the FIFA Confederations Cup hold for you and your team?
As I say, we are delighted that the draw has brought us Brazil. And my team are really looking forward to discovering the new World Cup stadiums in Germany. The tournament is another important milestone in the development of my team. Even European champions have things to learn.
Shortly before the start of the tournament in Germany, Greece face a vital double-header in Turkey on 4 June and against Ukraine on 8 June. Will your team travel to the FIFA Confederations Cup having already qualified for the World Cup?
The two games are certainly decisive, but afterwards there will still be three matches left, including a difficult away game in Denmark. I can hardly believe that the die will already be cast at the beginning of June in such an evenly-balanced group.
At the FIFA Confederations Cup workshop, the programme for you and your fellow coaches included a visit to the stadiums. What was your impression?
You can’t get any more perfect than those stadia.
The honours continue to flow for you personally. You were recently named the World National Coach of the Year, and in Greece you became the first foreigner ever to be named Greek of the Year, ahead even of Prime Minister Karamanlis. Is that the greatest honour you have received?
No. For me the highest honour was to become an honorary citizen of the city of Athens. I would never have believed that possible.
How long will you remain Greece’s national coach?
At my age you generally don’t think about the future. I live in the here and now. I am looking forward to the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches and especially to the Confederations Cup. And my greatest dream is to go with my boys to Germany for the World Cup.