Euro 2008 draw

[PAO_HELLAS]

The draw for the Euro 2008 group stage is going to take place on the 2nd of December.

The pots:

Pot 1

Greece
Austria
Switzerland
Holland

Pot 2

Croatia
Italy
Czech Republic
Sweden

Pot 3

Romania
Germany
Portugal
Spain

Pot 4

Poland
France
Turkey
Russia

[PAO_HELLAS]

Personally I would want such a group:

Greece
Italy
Portugal
Turkey

:D

[PAO_HELLAS]

Something less than 2 days are left for the draw. It's taking place on Sunday afternoon.

[plato-ny]

If Greece is drawn in Group C, they will play all their games in Switzerland. If Greece is drawn in Group D, they will play all their games in Austria.

I think all Pot 1 teams will play all their division games in one city unlike their opponents who will have to travel more.

Time to get pumped:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh8lPkVAAe0

[PAO_HELLAS]

Draw ceremony already started. It's on "NET" channel.

[PAO_HELLAS]

The draw - Official

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j298/ellinas_arkas/podosfairo/draw2008-1.jpg

Greece is in the same group with Sweden, Russia and Spain. 2 of the 3 opponets were in our Euro 2004 group too. Like any group in a European Championship it is not an easy group. Sweden and Russia may sound more "average teams" but we have to be very cautious. Let's not forget that Russia was the only team that defeated us in Euro 2004. With Sweden I think we never met again in an official game. I remember we beat them away a few years ago, but this was a friendly match.

[OCFP]

We can get out of this group if we play good, but in the final 8 we get italy, holland or france.

[poutismalakas]

well I like our group!

[PAO_HELLAS]

Το πρόγραμμα και οι διασταυρώσεις των ομίλων:

Α' Όμιλος

7 Ιουνίου
Βασιλεία 19:00 Ελβετία-Τσεχία
Γενέβη 21:45 Πορτογαλία-Τουρκία
11 Ιουνίου
Βασιλεία 21:45 Ελβετία-Τουρκία
Γενέβη 19:00 Τσεχία-Πορτογαλία
15 Ιουνίου
Βασιλεία 21:45 Ελβετία-Πορτογαλία
Γενέβη 21:45 Τουρκία-Τσεχία

Β' Όμιλος

8 Ιουνίου
Βιέννη 19:00 Αυστρία-Κροατία
Κλάγκενφουρτ 21:45 Γερμανία-Πολωνία
12 Ιουνίου
Κλάγκενφουρτ 19:00 Κροατία-Γερμανία
Βιέννη 21:45 Αυστρία-Πολωνία
16 Ιουνίου
Κλάγκενφουρτ 21:45 Πολωνία-Κροατία
Βιέννη 21:45 Αυστρία-Γερμανία

Γ' Όμιλος

9 Ιουνίου
Ζυρίχη 19:00 Ρουμανία-Γαλλία
Βέρνη 21:45 Ολλανδία-Ιταλία
13 Ιουνίου
Ζυρίχη 19:00 Ιταλία-Ρουμανία
Βέρνη 21:45 Ολλανδία-Γαλλία
17 Ιουνίου
Ζυρίχη 21:45 Γαλλία-Ιταλία
Βέρνη 21:45 Ολλανδία-Ρουμανία

Δ' Όμιλος

10 Ιουνίου
Ίνσμπρουκ 19:00 Ισπανία-Ρωσία
Σάλτσμπουργκ 21:45 Ελλάδα-Σουηδία
14 Ιουνίου
Ίνσμπρουκ 19:00 Σουηδία-Ισπανία
Σάλτσμπουργκ 21:45 Ελλάδα-Ρωσία
18 Ιουνίου
Ίνσμπρουκ 21:45 Ρωσία-Σουηδία
Σάλτσμπουργκ 21:45 Ελλάδα-Ισπανία

Προημιτελικοί

19 Ιουνίου Βασιλεία 21:45 Νικητής Α'-Δεύτερος Β' (1)
20 Ιουνίου Βιέννη 21:45 Νικητής Β'-Δεύτερος Α' (2)
21 Ιουνίου Βασιλεία 21:45 Νικητής Γ'-Δεύτερος Δ' (3)
22 Ιουνίου Βιέννη 21:45 Νικητής Δ'-Δεύτερος Γ' (4)

Ημιτελικοί

25 Ιουνίου Βασιλεία 21:45 Νικητής (1)-Νικητής (2) (Α)
Βιέννη 21:45 Νικητής (3)-Νικητής (4) (Β)

Τελικός

29 Ιουνίου: Βιέννη 21:45 Νικητής (Α)-Νικητής (Β)

[plato-ny]

Greece's schedule is perfect. Since Spain is their last opponent and Spain is the favorite for first place, then it would be to Greece's benefit to root for Spain against Sweden and Russia in their first 2 matches so that Spain would have little or nothing to play against Greece in the final match and to also push back Sweden and Russia.

During the draw between Greece and Holland to determine who would be atop Groups C and D, respectively, Holland wound in Group C and Greece in Group D. If Greece was drawn in Group C, they would have faced Italy, France and Romania instead. It's also a small advantage that Pot 1 teams, including Greece, will play all their games in one city whereas the other teams will have to travel. Greece will play its games in Salzburg.

The Denmark NT coach, Morton Olsen, said in the German magazine, KICKER, that Spain and Greece are the favorites to pass

--------------------------------------------------

Greece v Russia

*Dmitri Kirichenko and Dmitri Bulykin were on target inside the opening 17 minutes as the Russians overcame Greece 2-1 in Faro-Loule in 2004. Greece sneaked through, however, and the rest is history.

*The teams qualified together for the 1994 FIFA World Cup from the same group. Greece finished top, and unbeaten, after winning the final qualifier 1-0 against Russia in Athens. It was the first appearance at the competition for both countries.

*In the qualifying tournament for EURO '96™, Russia beat Greece home and away to advance to England at their expense.

Greece v Sweden

*The teams have never met in a UEFA European Championship or FIFA World Cup but they did face each other at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Sweden running out 9-0 winners.

*In five friendly meetings since then, Sweden have failed to record a victory. The most recent encounter, on 20 August 2003, brought Greece's first success on Swedish soil as they overcame their hosts 2-1 in Norrkoping.

Greece v Spain

*Greece and Spain drew 1-1 in the 2004 finals, Fernando Morientes opening the scoring for Spain and Angelos Charisteas equalising for Greece.

*The two countries also met in qualifying for that tournament. Each team registered an away victory, with Greece surprisingly topping the group and forcing Spain to qualify via a play-off against Norway.

*Spain won a friendly at the start of this season 3-2 in Salonika thanks to two goals from David Silva, his second coming three minutes into added time.

[plato-ny]

Our home for the group stage. The artificial pitch will be replaced with real grass for the tournament. Its a nice stadium, and I'm glad that unlike Euro 2004 group stage the team will stay in one city.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Em_stadion_salzburg.jpg/800px-Em_stadion_salzburg.jpg

Full name: EM Stadion Wals-Siezenheim
Location: Salzburg, Austria
Built: 2003
Opened: 2003[/QUOTE]

If any of you think that Greece will win the group and need to see them play in the quarterfinals, then buy 2 or 4 tickets for the quarterfinal (http://cgi.ebay.com/Euro-2008-Quarterfinal-Tickets-and-other-Games_W0QQitemZ270193226922QQihZ017QQcategoryZ16122QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Euro 2008 Draw Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWNd7FsDheI&feature=related)
Euro 2008 Draw Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWtIL58aMlc&feature=related)
The ENTIRE Euro 2008 Ceremony (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJDl_zEL6fM&feature=related)
Rehhagel after the draw (http://www.goal4replay.net/VideoWatchF.asp?ID=1801&Ln=En)

[plato-ny]

Greece will play a tournament in Cyprus and will face the Czechs and Finland there (4. and 5. February).

March 26th: a friendly in Dubai or in Croatia
May 18th: Cyprus in Greece
May 23th/24th a friendly in Germany against Bulgaria or Serbia or Romania (most likely against Bulgaria)
June 1st: Lichtenstein (not sure)

[CambriaFan]

I would expect Greece to come out of this group, but its any 2 from 3 - sorry Russia.

[plato-ny]

Greece is playing in the Cyprus tournament against the Czechs on Feb.5 and against Finns on Feb. 6. One of our Euro opponents, Spain, is playing a friendly with Italy on March 26

[plato-ny]

Arshavin banned for two Russia games

Andrei Arshavin will miss Russia's first two matches (the second being the Greece match. He's their #10 man) of the UEFA EURO 2008™ finals after receiving a suspension for his sending-off in the last game of the qualifying campaign.

Two-match ban

The forward was red-carded for violent conduct against an opponent in the 84th minute of Russia's 1-0 win in Andorra on 21 November which helped to seal second place in Group E. The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has decided that the offence merits a two-match ban, causing Arshavin to sit out his team's Group D meetings with Spain and Greece in Innsbruck and Salzburg respectively. Those games take place on 10 and 14 June before Russia conclude their group-stage campaign against Sweden four days later.

[plato-ny]

Freindlies for Sweden and Spain:

Costa Rica-Sweden January 13 in San Jose, California
USA-Sweden January 19 in Los Angeles
Turkey-Sweden February 6 in Turkey

Spain-France February 6 in Seville

[plato-ny]

UEFA EURO 2008™ match officials

Referee Assistant referees Country

1 Konrad Plautz Egon Bereuter, Markus Mayr Austria
2 Frank De Bleeckere Peter Hermans, Alex Verstraeten Belgium
3 Howard Webb Darren Cann, Mike Mullarkey England
4 Herbert Fandel Carsten Kadach, Volker Wezel Germany
5 Kyros Vassaras Dimitris Bozatzidis, Dimitris Saraidaris Greece
6 Roberto Rosetti Alessandro Griselli, Paolo Calcagno Italy
7 Pieter Vink Adriaan Inia, Hans ten Hoove Netherlands
8 Tom Henning Øvrebø Geir Åge Holen, Erik Ræstad Norway
9 Ľuboš Micheľ Roman Slyško, Martin Balko Slovakia
10 Manuel Enrique Mejuto González Juan Carlos Yuste Jiménez, Jesús Calvo Guadamuro Spain
11 Peter Fröjdfeldt Stefan Wittberg, Henrik Andrén Sweden
12 Massimo Busacca Matthias Arnet, Stéphane Cuhat Switzerland



Fourth officials chosen for UEFA EURO 2008:

Ivan Bebek (Croatia)
Stéphane Lannoy (France)
Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
Kristinn Jakobsson (Iceland)
Grzegorz Gilewski (Poland)
Olegário Benquerença (Portugal)
Craig Thomson (Scotland)
Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

[plato-ny]

The Greek NT, for Euro 2008, will be staying at the Arabella Sheraton, Hof bei Salzburg and their training ground will be at Aug Sports Centre, Seekirchen.

[plato-ny]

Lothar Mateus opinion of Greek NT

http://www.sportime.gr/football_inside.asp?article_id=67827

Το Sportime συνάντησε το βράδυ της Δευτέρας, σε νυχτερινό κέντρου του Ψυρρή, το μεγάλο Γερμανό παλιό ποδοσφαιριστή, ο οποίος, κεφάτος, μίλησε για πολλά και διάφορα θέματα, με πρώτο και πιο ουσιαστικό φυσικά αυτό της Εθνικής Ελλάδας, στο Ευρωπαϊκό Πρωτάθλημα που... έρχεται.

Τι πιστεύεις ότι μπορεί να κάνει αυτήν τη φορά η πρωταθλήτρια Ευρώπης, Εθνική Ελλάδας, στα τελικά;

«Τίποτε».

-Τι εννοείς;

«Ο,τι κατάλαβες. Η Εθνική Ελλάδας δεν πρόκειται να περάσει στη δεύτερη φάση της διοργάνωσης».

-Μα, καλά, αν δεχτούμε ότι η Ισπανία διαθέτει πολλούς και καλούς παίκτες και έχει ένα λόγο παραπάνω, δεν μπορεί να κανείς ισχυριστεί ότι συμβαίνει το ίδιο με τους Ρώσους και τους Σουηδούς...

«Δεν πρόκειται η Εθνική Ελλάδας να κάνει τίποτε σε αυτό το Ευρωπαϊκό Πρωτάθλημα. Ούτε έχετε καλύτερους ποδοσφαιριστές από τους άλλους, ούτε είστε και σε καλύτερο επίπεδο από αυτούς».

-Για περίμενε, ξεχνάς ότι πέρυσι ο Φάνης Γκέκας αναδείχθηκε πρώτος σκόρερ στην Μπουντεσλίγκα ή ότι ο Στέλιος Γιαννακόπουλος αγωνίζεται στην αγγλική Μπόλτον και αρκετοί άλλοι σε σημαντικές ομάδες των ευρωπαϊκών πρωταθλημάτων...

«Ο Γκέκας είναι ένας πολύ καλός επιθετικός, αλλά αυτό δεν λέει τίποτε. Η Εθνική σας ομάδα είναι κατώτερη των αντιπάλων της και δεν υπάρχει περίπτωση να προκριθείτε. Τόσο η Ισπανία όσο και η Ρωσία, αλλά και η Σουηδία έχουν πολύ καλύτερους ποδοσφαιριστές. Τι να πω για τον Φερνάντο Τόρες, που παίζει στη Λίβερπουλ, για τον Ραούλ της Ρεάλ Μαδρίτης, για τον Ζλάταν Ιμπραϊμοβιτς, τον Σουηδό φορ που διαπρέπει στην Ιντερ και το Καμπιονάτο; Έπειτα η Ρωσία είναι μία συμπαγής ομάδα που διαθέτει παίκτες όπως ο Κερζάκοφ και έχει προπονητή τον Γκους Χίντινκ. Λυπάμαι που το λέω, αλλά αυτή είναι η προσωπική μου γνώμη. Η Ελλάδα δεν θα προκριθεί».

Είναι πολύ νωρίς ακόμη...

-Ποια ομάδα θεωρείς φαβορί για την κατάκτηση του Ευρωπαϊκού;

«Λένε πολλοί πως είναι η εθνική Γερμανίας, αλλά προσωπικά νομίζω πως είναι πολύ νωρίς για να πεις κάτι τέτοιο. Υπάρχει δρόμος μπροστά και θα δούμε. Είναι κι άλλες ομάδες όπως η παγκόσμια πρωταθλήτρια Ιταλία, η Ολλανδία...».

-Την προσεχή εβδομάδα ο Άρης θα αντιμετωπίσει στο «Αλιάνζ Αρίνα» την Μπάγερν...

«Δεν νομίζω πως υπάρχει άλλο αποτέλεσμα πέραν της νίκης των Βαυαρών».

Ποια Λάρισα...

Τη στιγμή εκείνη ένας συνάδελφος μπαίνει στην κουβέντα και ρωτάει τον Λόταρ για τη Λάρισα, που αντιμετωπίζει τη Νυρεμβέργη. Ο Γερμανός παρουσιάζεται πολύ σκληρός: «Ποια είναι η Λάρισα; Δεν την ξέρω». Για να λάβει την απάντηση: «Θα παίξει κόντρα στη Νυρεμβέργη». «Κι εγώ πού θες να την ξέρω; Εσύ γνωρίζεις την Πάντερμπορν;», αποκρίνεται ο Ματέους.

[OCFP]

Pes tou na paei na gami8i

[plato-ny]

First Russia loses one of its best players and now Sweden:

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/euro/news/kind=1/newsid=642523.html

[plato-ny]

Greece NT on Euro 2008 magazine show

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=lNnRbppOPiI

[plato-ny]

Information on how to purchase tickets for Greece's Euro matches from EPO:
http://www.epo.gr/grafeio_typou/tickets.htm

Check out the scarves for the Group D matches.
http://i23.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/d5/be/a9f4_1.JPG

[plato-ny]

Spain to be banned from Euro 2008???? What would it mean for Group D???

According to Spanish Federation (RFEF) sources, FIFA Chairman Sepp Blatter will officially anounce on April 2nd that the Spanish NT is going to be disqualified from Euro'08 and all spanish teams banned from UEFA competitions. The measure would have immediate effect, thus makuing it impossible for any of the spanish teams (Madrid, Barça and Sevilla in CL, Atlético, Getafe and Villarreal in UEFA Cup) to even fight for a spot in the Moscow final.

The origin of this tyrannical threat is the incompatibility of FIFA rules with the Spanish laws, according to which elections must be called this year for the Presidency of RFEF.

RFEF's President Ramón María Villar has ruled the spanish football for two decades, and rampant corruption, from suspicious of embezzlement to influence on refereeing, has been associated with him for many years. Villar's influent position at FIFA's top is, without doubt, at the origin of this shocking announcement.

[PAO_HELLAS]

I doubt it is going to happen. The case looks similar with the one of the Hellenic Football Federation last year, when it was banned for just some days.

[plato-ny]

http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Photo/competitions/EURO/66/49/08/664908_w2.jpg

Zagorakis grateful for 'gift from God'

"Unbelievable moments" says Theodoros Zagorakis, recalling the final whistle of UEFA EURO 2004™ which confirmed Greece as champions. "When the referee ended the match, it was as if the lights went out. It is a blank spot on my memory. The constant smile of an idiot on my face."

'Blessed'

Zagorakis is speaking to uefa.com nearly four years after captaining Greece to a 1-0 victory against hosts Portugal in the final. The emotions are as strong as ever. Despite starting as rank outsiders, Greece had pulled off the biggest upset since Denmark were crowned champions in 1992. "We were blessed by God to live this unique experience," Zagorakis says. "It was a gift from God.

Greek joy

"It's not only me who says that, but all Greeks, regardless of whether they were in Portugal at the time or not. We knew that back in Greece, even in the most remote village, people were happy and celebrating in the streets. But we didn't realise the extent of the situation [until we returned to Athens]. Everything was happening so fast, you needed time to process it all. Even to this day, we haven't grasped the full meaning of that success. It took two to three years to realise we had achieved something so huge."

No surprise

The reasons behind it, though, were never in doubt. "The fact Greece won was a surprise to the footballing world. The fact we reached the final was also a surprise. But only in theory, because it isn't enough to be a star name, you have to constantly prove it on the pitch. We hadn't gone to Portugal to be tourists, we had gone there to do something worthwhile.

'Belief'

"I wouldn't be honest if I told you we went there from the start aiming to qualify for the quarter-finals or the semis or to lift the trophy. I just believed. We all did. Maybe that was the secret, that we were all in this together, that we believed we would do something good. Nothing concrete like reaching the quarters or semis. Just to make our presence felt, to be serious."


Rehhagel praise
The rest of course is history, but with coach Otto Rehhagel still at the helm and much of his UEFA EURO 2004™ winning squad intact, Greece continue to pose a real threat in the present. "Rehhagel had the biggest share in our success at EURO 2004," Zagorakis says. "A coach is the leader, the one who steers the carriage. That says it all. Everything else is secondary.

'Common goal'

"I'm not a man who likes to sing praises or speak ill of others. Everybody gets judged by results and Mr Rehhagel has undoubtedly proven he is a great coach. The team were homogenous, like a family, we all understood each other and for that I credit our coach. We had a common goal, there were no egos or personal aspirations. Such important characteristics can lead a team to something good."

Retired

Zagorakis, capped 120 times by his country, retired last season and has since taken on the presidency of his final club, PAOK FC. The 36-year-old will have to watch as Greece defend the trophy in Switzerland and Austria, a tougher task potentially than playing. "It won't be easy, but it won't be hard either," he says. "Well, I'm saying that now, months before the tournament. I don't know how I'll feel nearer the time.

'Great future'

"For sure it won't be easy, but since EURO 2004 I have been preparing myself for the fact I wouldn't play at the next one. That's life. In football eventually you have to stop. Greece just being in the finals makes me very happy. I believe we can do very well again. Our national team has a great future. That's very important for all of us."

[plato-ny]

Greece will play a friendly against Armenia in Frankfurt, Germany on June 1

Scolari relishes Greek challenge
http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=617851

Ο κ. Οτο Ρεχάγκελ κάλεσε στην Εθνική Ομάδα Ανδρών εννέα ποδοσφαιριστές, που ανήκουν σε συλλόγους του εξωτερικού, για τον φιλικό αγώνα με την Πορτογαλία, ο οποίος θα διεξαχθεί στο Ντίσελντορφ στις 26/03/2008, στο πλαίσιο της προετοιμασίας των δύο ομάδων για την τελική φάση του Ευρωπαϊκού Πρωταθλήματος 2008. Η αναμέτρηση θα φιλοξενηθεί στο γήπεδο «LTU Arena» με ώρα έναρξης 20:30 (τοπική). Πρόκειται για τους Γιούρκα Σεϊταρίδη, Αγγελο Μπασινά, Στέλιο Γιαννακόπουλο, Γιώργο Σαμαρά, Φάνη Γκέκα, Γιάννη Αμανατίδη, Αγγελο Χαριστέα, Σωτήρη Κυργιάκο και Κώστα Κατσουράνη.

[plato-ny]

Portugal squad announced. Deco and Bosingwa are hurt and Maniche and Petit were left off the team.

Goalkeepers:
Ricardo (Real Betis, SPA)
Rui Patricio (Sporting CP)

Defenders:
Bruno Alves (FC Porto)
Fernando Meira (Stuttgart, GER)
Jorge Ribeiro (Boavista)
Pepe (Real Madrid, SPA)
Miguel (Valencia, SPA)
Marco Caneira (Valencia, SPA)
Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea, ENG)
Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea, ENG)

Midfielders:
Carlos Martins (Recreativo Huelva, SPA)
Joao Moutinho (Sporting CP)
Miguel Veloso (Sporting CP)
Raul Meireles (FC Porto)
Nani (Manchester United, ENG)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, ENG)
Ricardo Quaresma (FC Porto)
Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid, SPA)

Strikers:
Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen, GER)
Nuno Gomes (SL Benfica)

[plato-ny]

Squad announced for the Portugal match. Dellas wont play because of an injury.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Nikopolidis (Olympiakos), Chalkias (Aris), Tzorvas (OFI)

Defenders: Kyrgiakos (Eintracht Frankfurt), Seitaridis (Athletico Madrid), Vyntra (PAO), Dellas (AEK), Antzas (Olympiakos), Torosidis (Olympiakos), Goumas (PAO), Spyropoulos (PAO)

Midfielders: Basinas (Mallorca), Karagounis (PAO), Katsouranis (Benfica), Patsatzoglou (Olympiakos), Tziolis (PAO)

Forwards: Charisteas (Nurberg), Giannakopoulos (Bolton), Amanatidis (Eintracht Frankfurt), Samaras (Celtic), Salpiggidis (PAO), Gekas (Bayer Leverkusen), Lyberopoulos (AEK)

[PAO_HELLAS]

2-0 current score against Portugal, somewhere in the 65th minute. Karagounis scored both.

[PAO_HELLAS]

2-1 final score. Gomez scored for Portugal.

[13Ballack13]

well done greece on beating Portgual^^

[plato-ny]

Greece beats Portugal for the 3rd straight time and made Ronaldo cry(this time not on the field) just as much. Karagounis scored in the first half and the halftime score was 1-0, just like the first match at Euro 2004. Second half was 2-0 Greece and then a goal by Portugal, just like the first match at Euro 2004. Way more Greeks than Portuguese at the match.

First goal by Karagounis. Bend it like Karagounis.
Second goal by Karagounis. Bend it like Karagounis (Portugal killer)
Goal by Gomes

http://www.dailymotion.com/search/greece%2Bportugal/1

Our Euro opponents:

Brazil-Sweden 1-0
Romania-Russia 3-0
Spain-Italy 1-0

[Vic]

Well done guys. I hope you slow down before we meet you in Euro though ;)

[plato-ny]

http://www.contra.gr/images/ellportoPho3.jpg

Poor Scolari (for the 3rd time)
http://www.contra.gr/images/ellportoPho6.jpg

[Fenerliyim]

haha, this is soooo funny. I cant believe greece beat portugal again. haha. wish benifica were here today lol

[OCFP]

I didnt like the thrash talking being done by Ricardo before the game. he said something along the lines I hope we win and win ugly the way Greece did in euro 04. Your a professional. ACT IT. We will win any way we can, be it ugly or be it pretty. the point of the game is to win. Its not a beauty pagient. Greece has 5 goals in 3 games against Ricardo. WORLD CLASS KEEPER>. Shut ur mouth or MR KARAGOUNIS WILL>

Grant it Ronaldo wasnt playing but i still think we have a very good team and we will make some noice in the upcoming Euro. People are underestimating us again and i love it. 2nd silver star?????? HAHAH i wish

[PAO_HELLAS]

wish benifica were here today lol

:lol:

[plato-ny]

Ben64 couldnt handle Greece beating Portugal twice in Euro 2004 and now probably couldnt handle Portugal losing and tying to Greece in 2 friendlies in the last few years and also Greece U19 beating Portugal U19 last summer in the quarterfinals. Anyway...

Reports indicate that Rehhagel will accept the offer by the Greek F.A, and remain on board till 2010. An annoucement will possibly be made in the next couple of days. Topalidis will also remain as his assistant.

http://media2.feed.gr/filesystem/images/20071115/engine/goalnews_LARGE_t_1041_466243_type11487.jpg

Λέει το «ναι» ο Ρεχάγκελ

Θετική αναμένεται να είναι η απάντηση που θα δώσει ο Οτο Ρεχάγκελ στην ΕΠΟ. Σύμφωνα με καλά πληροφορημένες πηγές, ο ομοσπονδιακός τεχνικός έστειλε το συμβόλαιο που του προτείνει η Ομοσπονδία μέχρι το 2010 στον δικηγόρο του για έλεγχο και σύντομα -ίσως και την ερχόμενη Δευτέρα- θα απαντήσει θετικά στην πρόταση της Ποδοσφαιρικής Ομοσπονδίας, προκειμένου να παραμείνει στην εθνική μας ομάδα μέχρι το 2010. Οι ίδιες πληροφορίες αναφέρουν πως οι αποδοχές του «Οθωνα» θα μείνουν ως έχουν, δηλαδή 1 εκατ. ευρώ το χρόνο μικτά. Συνεργάτης του Οτο Ρεχάγκελ θα παραμείνει ο Γιάννης Τοπαλίδης περίπου με τις ίδιες αποδοχές (700.000 ευρώ), ενώ η ΕΠΟ έχει κάνει πρόταση στον Δημήτρη Μπουρουτζίκα να αναλάβει γυμναστής της Εθνικής για το Euro 2008.

Ο Γερμανός τεχνικός, πάντως, δεν θέλησε για ακόμη μία φορά να απαντήσει επίσημα σχετικά με το εάν θα μείνει ή θα φύγει. «Να γυρίσουμε στην Αθήνα και τότε θα κανονίσουμε μία συνάντηση με τον πρόεδρο της Ομοσπονδίας, ώστε να αναλύσουμε την κατάσταση» ήταν τα λόγια του ομοσπονδιακού τεχνικού στην ερώτηση εάν θα ανανεώσει τελικά τη συνεργασία του με την ΕΠΟ. Ο Οτο Ρεχάγκελ χαρακτήρισε «σημαντική» αυτή τη νίκη για ψυχολογικούς λόγους, προσθέτοντας ότι «και οι δύο ομάδες δεν ήθελαν να χάσουν, παρότι ήταν φιλικό. Εγινε ένα μαχητικό παιχνίδι με πολύ πάθος». Αναφερόμενος, εξάλλου, στην εμφάνιση των διεθνών που αγωνίστηκαν χθες, ο Οτο Ρεχάγκελ επεσήμανε ότι «αυτό είναι το ρόστερ της εθνικής ομάδας, συμπεριλαμβανομένου του Δέλλα. Κι είδατε όλοι ότι όσοι μπήκαν για να παίξουν έδειξαν ότι έχουν πάθος και θέλουν να βοηθήσουν αυτή την ομάδα».

Σχολιάζοντας την αγωνιστική εικόνα του αντιπροσωπευτικού μας συγκροτήματος, ο Οτο Ρεχάγκελ είπε ότι έμεινε ικανοποιημένος από την κατάσταση που επικρατεί στην ομάδα και την εικόνα που παρουσίασε», ξεκαθαρίζοντας ωστόσο ότι «άλλο πράγμα τα φιλικά κι άλλο το πρώτο ματς στο Euro. Εκεί πρέπει να κερδίσουμε. Οταν κερδίζεις, πάντα είναι τα πράγματα καλά».

Κάνοντας μία μίνι αναδρομή στη μέχρι τώρα παρουσία του στην εθνική ομάδα, ο Οτο Ρεχάγκελ είπε: «Οταν ανέλαβα την εθνική ομάδα, βρισκόμασταν στην 60η θέση. Τώρα είμαστε στη 10η. Το 2002, όταν ο Σκολάρι κέρδισε το Παγκόσμιο Κύπελλο, δεν μας ήξερε ως ομάδα. Τώρα το πόσο μας υπολογίζει φαίνεται από το ότι χθες μας ρώτησε αν συμφωνούμε να κουρευτεί το χορτάρι στο γήπεδο».

Να σημειωθεί ότι τη συνέντευξη Τύπου παρακολούθησε και η σύζυγος του Οτο Ρεχάγκελ, Μπεάτε, συνοδευόμενη από τον προσωπικό φίλο και δικηγόρο του Γερμανού. Μάλιστα, όταν τη ρωτήσαμε σχετικά με το εάν θα μείνουν στην Ελλάδα, χαμογέλασε και μας είπε: «Δεν ξέρω, ρωτήστε τον κόουτς».

goalday.gr (http://www.goalday.gr/article.asp?catid=10490&subid=2&tag=7713&pubid=912035)

Απαντάει ο Οτο

Μπορεί ο Οτο Ρεχάγκελ να μην αποκάλυψε το αν θα παραμείνει ή όχι στον πάγκο της Εθνικής μας ομάδας, ωστόσο αποκάλυψε το πότε θα ανακοινώσει την τελική απόφασή του. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, το μεσημέρι της Πέμπτης (27/3), ο Γερμανός τεχνικός παρέστη σε εκδήλωση χορηγών της Εθνικής ομάδας στην Αίγλη του Ζαππείου και γνωστοποίησε ότι το μεθαύριο Σάββατο (29/3) θα έχει συνάντηση με τον πρόεδρο της ΕΠΟ, Βασίλη Γκαγκάτση σχετικά με το θέμα. Σύμφωνα με τις εκτιμήσεις, ο αγαπημένος Οτο όλων των Ελλήνων θα πει το πολυπόθητο «Ναι» και θα ανανεώσει τη συνεργασία του με το αντιπροσωπευτικό μας συγκρότημα.

«Περιμένω να δουλέψει στην Ελλάδα για δύο ακόμη χρόνια χωρίς χρήματα», αστειεύτηκε ο πρόεδρος της ΕΠΟ, για να του απαντήσει (επίσης αστειευόμενος) ο Ρεχάγκελ: «Στη ζωή μου είμαι ιδεαλιστής, όμως έχω μάθει να είναι και ρεαλιστής».

[Hellas40]

I didnt like the thrash talking being done by Ricardo before the game. he said something along the lines I hope we win and win ugly the way Greece did in euro 04. Your a professional. ACT IT. We will win any way we can, be it ugly or be it pretty. the point of the game is to win. Its not a beauty pagient. Greece has 5 goals in 3 games against Ricardo. WORLD CLASS KEEPER>. Shut ur mouth or MR KARAGOUNIS WILL>



I didnt know about Ricardos talking before the game but that just makes this win even sweeter. Like others mentioned before wheres Benfica64 now?? Honestly guys it was one of the first thoughts that came to mind when i found out the result. Also its unusual to hear Ricardo trash talking as he was probably the only player straight after the EURO 2004 that gave Greece some credit. If anyone has a link to his talking before the game I would love to read it.
Also like to see those silly Portugese fans who held up a sign stating "Where is Greece now?" during the World Cup in 2006.......standing over Portugal again thats where!!!

Anyways good to see Greece win again even though it was just a friendly, they were missing Ronaldo and Nani (Deco is not worth mentioning he was nothing in Euro 2004 and he is less nothing now, in my opinion), so the game may have been different....but I'll take the win.

Great goals by Karagounis, he hasnt scored since the 2nd Albania games during the WC2006 Qualifiers, they were both gems. The goal we let in, Im not too sure who left their marker but that was terrible defending should have been a clean sheet. Anyways like a said it was a good win.

Go Greece Euro 2008!!

[plato-ny]

How about Gomes, after the match, referring to both Karagounis goals as "lucky"?

[OCFP]

how about the ref predicting the exact scoreline before the game started.

[plato-ny]

Otto Rehhagel signed a deal today to stay until 2010. He'll make one million euros a year which makes him amongst the Top 5 highest paid in the world

[cartel]

Sine his accession 2001 the national team improved from place 66 of the FIFA Worldranking to place 11 now. Indeed this are good news for Greek football.

[poutismalakas]

haha, this is soooo funny. I cant believe greece beat portugal again. haha. wish benifica were here today lol

All I have to say is that we have their number!!!!

[plato-ny]

Check out these Train pictures. I think they are designing country flags for every team in Euro 2008

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/Tzinom/Train_Machine1.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/Tzinom/Train_Machine2.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/Tzinom/Train_Machine3.jpg

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Anita Nigam, Indian astrologist, had correctly predicted that Greece and Portugal would meet in the Euro 2004 final. Her Euro 2008 picks are coming soon to anitauniverse.com. Not sure to believe her but interesting, nonetheless. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSi5xNtNDq0&feature=related)

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Greece could play a friendly with Argentina in November
http://http://www.sport-fm.gr/article.jsp?id=126015

[plato-ny]

Praise for the Greek NT from the Spainsh Press (http://www.sport-fm.gr/article.jsp?id=127262)

[plato-ny]

http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/news/kind=1/n...nvince+aragones (http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/news/kind=1/newsid=684824.html#raul+still+convince+aragones)

Pilgrimage promise

While his team selections may be causing consternation among some Spanish fans, Aragones is sure he has a side capable of winning the competition. "We've going to believe we can win because other teams worse than ours, like Greece or Denmark, have won this competition." The 68-year-old coach added: "If we win the EURO, I promise I will walk the pilgrim's way to Santiago [de Compostela]."

This is the same Aragones who said he would leave Spain if they didn't make the semifinals, at least, in WC 2006. Well, he's still there.

Greece and Denmark are so much worse than Spain yet those countries did not win a championship being at home like Spain did 44 years ago...which was a VERY long time ago.

[plato-ny]

Ibra doubtful to play in Euro (http://www.contra.gr/Soccer/Europe/Euro/Euro2008/Sweden/196548.html)

FIFA article: The Greek climb continues (http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/news/newsid=751845.html#the+greek+climb+continues)