Tournament Underdogs Ready to Snap at Champions' Heels

No one should still consider Greece the surprise package of Euro 2004. The Greeks have beaten the host nation, held the Spanish and repelled enough Russian attacks to get through a group stage which had already formed the team's obituary before they even set foot in Portugal.

Now, Greece coach Otto Rehhagel believes his team is in a no-lose situation going into Friday's quarter-final against reigning European champion France and everyone should take note. The Greeks are here on merit and will enjoy their position while wanting more of the good feeling flowing through the tournament's underdogs.

"We have already won everything we could have dreamed of -- we don't have anything to lose now," the German coach said at his team's press conference on Wednesday. "We know France have the best players in Europe, but we'll play with strength and passion."

"We have to control the ball through the midfield to set the game's pace, which we didn't do against Russia."

Rehhagel will know better than anyone else what his team's strengths are even though more and more people are beginning to appreciate the discipline and well-drilled tactics of a Greek team that has exceeded all expectations.

The German coach will be glad to reintroduce Giorgos Karagounis after a one-match ban to add some much-needed steel and pace in midfield while midfielder Vassilis Tsiartas refused to be overawed by the prospect of playing France. Both omens spell reinforcement for the only area in which Greece was second best to a Russian team with nothing to lose.

But against a French team with everything at stake, the Greeks insist they could well produce another shock after beating Portugal in the opening game of the tournament.

"Every team has its possibilities, and so do we," said Tsiartas. "If you go into the game thinking you have no chance, then you will definitely lose. A lot of things have changed in football. There are not so many differences between teams. Now the big teams need to prove they belong where they are."

Greece will face the reigning champions, who are progressing at a pace and with performances far below their best. However, coach Jacques Santini is confident his team can make it all the way to the final despite their below-par performances so far.

"We came here to win the title," said Santini. "We played three matches and I hope there are three more to go. I must admit there are things which could be improved, but we're going to work this out. I'm confident. We're getting better in every game."

The players are also aware that things need to change if the French are to recapture their form and retain the Henri Delauney trophy. "It's normal people are being critical of us but that's because they have come to expect so much of us," said midfielder Claude Makelele, admitting Les Bleus had yet to hit top form in the tournament. "We want to start playing again the football we know that we are capable of."