ATHENS, Greece (AP) - European champion Greece, hoping to boost its chances of qualifying for the next year's World Cup finals, hosts Denmark on Wednesday.
Relying heavily on foreign-based players, Greece's German coach Otto Rehhagel has made few changes to the squad that won the European Championship in Portugal last year. Rangers defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos and Kaiserslautern midfielder Yiannis Amanatidis are the only additions.
"Everyone is aware how decisive this match is," AS Roma defender Traianos Dellas said. "I believe we will be ready."
Rehhagel will be without injured midfielder Vassilis Tsiartas and defender Stelios Venetidis. Another defender, Michalis Kapsis, is a doubtful starter.
After four matches in Group 2, the Greeks are in fifth place with five points. That's only one point behind Denmark, Turkey and Albania - but six points adrift of first-place Ukraine. Georgia has five points, while last-place Kazakhstan has none. Greece pulled off one of soccer's biggest surprises when it came from nowhere to win Euro 2004 last summer. But it was downhill after that as Greece suffered a 2-1 upset in Albania last September and dropped more points at home with a 0-0 draw against Turkey.
The team showed signs of recovery in October, earning a hard fought 1-1 draw in Kiev against leader Ukraine, before cruising to a comfortable 3-1 home victory over Kazakhstan.
Benfica defender Takis Fyssas played down Greece's poor start and predicted the team will bounce back.
"The loss to Albania was basically our only negative result. But that defeat strengthened our resolve to make it to the World Cup," Fyssas told the daily Sportime. The match is being played at Karaiskaki, the home stadium of Olympiakos Piraeus.
Associated Press
Relying heavily on foreign-based players, Greece's German coach Otto Rehhagel has made few changes to the squad that won the European Championship in Portugal last year. Rangers defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos and Kaiserslautern midfielder Yiannis Amanatidis are the only additions.
"Everyone is aware how decisive this match is," AS Roma defender Traianos Dellas said. "I believe we will be ready."
Rehhagel will be without injured midfielder Vassilis Tsiartas and defender Stelios Venetidis. Another defender, Michalis Kapsis, is a doubtful starter.
After four matches in Group 2, the Greeks are in fifth place with five points. That's only one point behind Denmark, Turkey and Albania - but six points adrift of first-place Ukraine. Georgia has five points, while last-place Kazakhstan has none. Greece pulled off one of soccer's biggest surprises when it came from nowhere to win Euro 2004 last summer. But it was downhill after that as Greece suffered a 2-1 upset in Albania last September and dropped more points at home with a 0-0 draw against Turkey.
The team showed signs of recovery in October, earning a hard fought 1-1 draw in Kiev against leader Ukraine, before cruising to a comfortable 3-1 home victory over Kazakhstan.
Benfica defender Takis Fyssas played down Greece's poor start and predicted the team will bounce back.
"The loss to Albania was basically our only negative result. But that defeat strengthened our resolve to make it to the World Cup," Fyssas told the daily Sportime. The match is being played at Karaiskaki, the home stadium of Olympiakos Piraeus.
Associated Press
