PAO_HELLAS
11-19-2007, 11:12 PM
Even though recently criticized by the likes of Rudi Voller for not trying hard enough for Bayer Leverkusen, Fanis Gekas was arguably the man of the match for Greece against lowly Malta – and he sounded pretty optimistic afterwards.
Last season’s top scorer of the German Bundesliga, Gekas hit a hat-trick in Saturday’s 5-0 victory. No other Greek had done it for almost 30 years, since the legendary Thomas Mavros bagged three in an 8-1 hammering of Finland at the “Apostolos Nikolaidis” on October 11, 1978. It was one of the results that had helped Greece qualify for their first ever European Championship finals.
“I’m very happy to have scored three goals in such a festive atmosphere. We’re all glad we didn’t spoil the party. During the first half we had to get used to the heavy pitch and pressure from our opponents. But after we scored the first there was no stress anymore and it was a special display in the second half.”
The odd goal
Gekas talked about Greece’s favourite scoreline. “Above all we always try for a clean sheet and for some good football. Sometimes we only win 1-0, but this time we combined both the essence and the spectacle, which was good for us and our fans.” As a matter of fact, six out of nine victories for Otto Rehhagel’s men in the running campaign were won by the narrowest of margins – and four of them 1-0.
The former Larisa, Panathinaikos and Bochum striker praised the effort of 24-year-old Nikos Spyropoulos, the Panionios left full back coming on as a sub for his first cap. Gekas also revealed that the European champions had to get over a major crisis after the 4-1 home defeat against Turkey, back on March 24.
“That was the worst possible result for us. After that everybody was against us. But we managed to keep our cool and vowed to win our next game in Malta. We made it (1-0) and never looked back since.”
Father figure
“Otto Rehhagel is like a father to us,” the 27-year-old said. “He treats us as if we were his children. We’re very lucky to have him and I wish he carries on, because he will lead us to more success.”
All the way
Gekas saved the best for last. “We can defend our title. The differences among superpowers and minnows are not so big anymore. Besides, we beat quite a few superpowers in Portugal in 2004. After that everybody has treated us differently. It’s all up to us and we can go a long way again if we play like we did then.”
Panos Bletsos, Goal.com
Last season’s top scorer of the German Bundesliga, Gekas hit a hat-trick in Saturday’s 5-0 victory. No other Greek had done it for almost 30 years, since the legendary Thomas Mavros bagged three in an 8-1 hammering of Finland at the “Apostolos Nikolaidis” on October 11, 1978. It was one of the results that had helped Greece qualify for their first ever European Championship finals.
“I’m very happy to have scored three goals in such a festive atmosphere. We’re all glad we didn’t spoil the party. During the first half we had to get used to the heavy pitch and pressure from our opponents. But after we scored the first there was no stress anymore and it was a special display in the second half.”
The odd goal
Gekas talked about Greece’s favourite scoreline. “Above all we always try for a clean sheet and for some good football. Sometimes we only win 1-0, but this time we combined both the essence and the spectacle, which was good for us and our fans.” As a matter of fact, six out of nine victories for Otto Rehhagel’s men in the running campaign were won by the narrowest of margins – and four of them 1-0.
The former Larisa, Panathinaikos and Bochum striker praised the effort of 24-year-old Nikos Spyropoulos, the Panionios left full back coming on as a sub for his first cap. Gekas also revealed that the European champions had to get over a major crisis after the 4-1 home defeat against Turkey, back on March 24.
“That was the worst possible result for us. After that everybody was against us. But we managed to keep our cool and vowed to win our next game in Malta. We made it (1-0) and never looked back since.”
Father figure
“Otto Rehhagel is like a father to us,” the 27-year-old said. “He treats us as if we were his children. We’re very lucky to have him and I wish he carries on, because he will lead us to more success.”
All the way
Gekas saved the best for last. “We can defend our title. The differences among superpowers and minnows are not so big anymore. Besides, we beat quite a few superpowers in Portugal in 2004. After that everybody has treated us differently. It’s all up to us and we can go a long way again if we play like we did then.”
Panos Bletsos, Goal.com