Betting tips Greece

Manager: Otto Rehhagel
Captain: Giorgos Karagounis
FIFA Ranking: 12
World Cup appearances: 1
Best World Cup: Round 1 – 1994 

Greece Team Profile

The 2004 European Champions will be making just their second appearance in the finals of a World Cup when they travel to South Africa after successfully coming through a two-legged qualifying play-off to get there, beating Ukraine 1-0 on aggregate after a 1-0 win in Donetsk.

The Greeks will be lead in by Otto Rehhagel of Germany, one of the longest serving international managers in modern history after spending nine years at the helm of the Greek national team. Rehhagel is up their with the sporting bests in Greece, with his leadership qualities and motivational skills enabling Greece to perform to some very high standards in recent tournaments, even winning the 2004 European Championships against all odds, while the loyal and passionate Greece fans will wish for another shock win when they make the long distance trip to South Africa in the summer.

Despite Rehhagel’s position as manager looking assured after gaining qualification into South Africa, the pressure will certainly be on the German and his Greek squad to perform after an unsatisfactory display in the 2008 European Championships which seen Greece fail to make it past the group stages. Their group this time around remains competitive but one they could quite easily bypass, so there will be no excuse for failure in South Africa.

Strengths

The Greeks are worldwide renowned for their stubborn, resolute qualities. Otto Rehhagel sets his team up in an organised manner, with every defensive and midfield player knowing their role and often performing their respective duties to perfection. The Greeks really are a well oiled machine when it comes to defending, while their patient attitude when in possession enables them to dictate the tempo of most games and go at a pace that suits them, which is generally walking pace.

Weaknesses

Greece, for all their admirable qualities at the back and in midfield, aren’t the most attractive of teams on the eye, nor do they play the most entertaining of football. They go at their own pace, which is often very steady and sometimes extremely slow, to the point where the play often stops and breaks down. However, what this all boils down to is when Greece do need a goal, in those do or bust situations, they lack the required urgency needed in order to pile necessary pressure on the opposing defence. Moreover, because of their slow build ups, Greece are very predictable and very easy to defend against.

Greece Qualification for the World Cup

Sector: European
Group: 2
Position: 2nd
Win-Draw-Lose: 6-3-1
Goals Scored: 20
Goals Conceded: 10

It took a two-legged play-off with Ukraine to decide Greece’s World Cup fate. In typical Greece fashion, they made both legs scrappy and untidy, but it proved an effective tactic as they prevailed over two-legs thanks to a 1-0 win in the away leg in Donetsk.

World Cup Potential: 1/5

If we’re completely honest, we don’t think Greece will go far and, quite frankly, we don’t want them too either. They are one of the dullest footballing nations to watch and the sooner they leave the competition the better. It’s very, very rare that you come across an entertaining affair when Greece are involved, and in the greatest sporting spectacle on the planet, everyone wants to be treated to exciting games. The Greeks are too slow in their build up and often turn games in a snooze-fest, while world-class talent is at a premium to really make any serious in-roads anyway.

Greece World Cup Betting Odds

Greece to win the World Cup – 350/1 Expekt

Before the World Cup the odds on Argentina were 199/1 

Official Greece World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Tzorvas (Panathinaikos Athens)

Chalkias (PAOK Thessaloniki)

Sifakis (Aris Saloniki)

Defenders

Seitaridis (Panathinaikos Athens)

Vyntra (Panathinaikos Athens)

Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos Athens)

A. Papadopoulos (Olympiakos)

Torosidis (Olympiakos)

Kyrgiakos (Liverpool)

Papastathopoulos (Genoa)

Moras (Bologna)

Malezas (PAOK Thessaloniki)

Midfielders

Karagounis (Panathinaikos Athens)

Katsouranis (Panathinaikos Athens)

Ninis (Panathinaikos Athen)

Prittas (Aris)

Tziolis (Siena)

Patzazoglou (Omonia Nicosia)

Strikers

Charisteas (Nuremberg)

Gekas (Hertha Berlin)

Salpigidis (Panathinaikos Athens)

Samaras (Celtic Glasgow)

Kapetanos (Steaua Bucarest)

last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 Greece Fixtures – Group B

World Cup 2010 Group B - Table

World Cup Fixtures and Results

Super Eagles Nigeria look to soar back to life

This Group B match is probably not going to get your blood running too much, but, it is a World Cup football match, and that means there are betting opportunities. Nigeria were defeated 1-0 in their opening fixture against Lionel Messi and Argentina, and were it not for the startling heroics of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, then the score line would have been a lot worse. He kept Lionel Messi out on at least a couple of occasions, but he may get a quieter afternoon in the second fixture for the Super Eagles at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, as they take on Greece. Nigeria are not a great side, not by any stretch of the imagination. Coach Lars Lagerback is a great coach with a lot of international experience, but even he will be struggling to make any impact with the current crop of Nigeria players. That all may sound harsh, as they did reach the World Cup finals, true. But the level of opposition which the top African Nations has to go up against in order to qualify is not anything to write home about, as they are mostly emerging nations. Nigeria had a woeful African Cup of Nations earlier in the year, and have really gone into their shell as a footballing nation. Now, they are under immense pressure to survive in the tournament just a little bit longer, as a second successive defeat would realistically be the end of their hopes of reaching the last sixteen. To be honest, in terms of form, Nigeria have actually looked like a side which are improving over the last couple of games, holding Colombia to a draw and then beating North Korea 3-1. With the African sides struggling on their home continent, can the Super Eagles inject a bit of life back into African interest, and pick up a win? While defeat would be a disaster, with South Korea playing Argentina, and win for either Nigeria or Greece, could keep them in the running, so there is a lot to play for.

Nigeria World Cup Betting: This is not a match which will draw a lot of interest, but from a betting point of view, Nigeria should start the match as favourites. They gave a decent account of themselves against Argentina in their opening match, and should be much livelier and upbeat than the dour Greeks. Should be able to snatch a goal against the Greeks and prevail. Can they keep one out at the back? Would safely consider going Under 2.5 Goals for 1/2 at Boylesports. A correct score line of Nigeria 1-0 win fetches 5/1 at Stan James.
Nigeria Asian Handicap Tip: Nigeria -0.5 for Evens at Victor Chandler

Nigeria World Cup 2010 Stats
Played: P1, W0, D0, L1
GF/GA: 0/1
Cards: Y1, R0
Most Shots: Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi, 3
Top Scorer: N/A
Shots/On Goal: 11/1
Fouls Committed: 8
Total Passes: 367
Pass Completion: 63%
Last 5 Form: LWDWL

Greeks still looking for first ever World Cup goal

Greece. If they don’t get points out of this one, then it will be hard to see them getting anything from their last group match against La Albiceleste. Out of all the caution that was spread around in the first round of group matches, Greece were probably the most guilty of taking a negative approach. This, realistically is something that was not unexpected if we are truthful, as they are not an expansive side to watch at all. They enjoy keeping things tight in defence and midfield, and breaking out with caution while they can. That is their plan A game, however, it all got unravelled in their first match when South Korea played the perfect game against them, giving the perfect example of how to beat the Greeks. Simply pass and move at pace. The Greeks had no answer for the speed and movement of South Korea, and the Greeks themselves need to take a lesson from their Asian conquerors. It is time to throw caution to the wind as they take on Nigeria, who are not as good as South Korea. The Greeks should positively attack this match, and target all three points right from the off. Nothing else will really suffice for them, but it is hard to see them cutting loose their shackles and really going for it. They may simply again be dragged into a cautious encounter, as there is a lot at stake on the game, with the loser going home, that they may decide not to come out of their shell. The one thing that the Greeks are famous for, is not having scored a goal at the World Cup. Ok, they have only played four, but still. They will have been looking at the impressive form of Nigeria’s keeper and silently been hoping that he has a day at the office when he stands in the way of Greece breaking their duck. Greece played poorly in the first match, and it will be a tough task for them to claw their way up, as they will have been rattled by the defeat.

Greece World Cup betting: With everything that is at stake in this match, it is still hard to picture Greece going for anything other than a 1-0 win. There is just nothing in their recent history to suggest that they will try and attack too much. If they steal an early goal, then they will shut up shop. Of course, they will first have to get that historic goal. If you want to push the boat out and go for a 0-0 score line, then it is 13/2 at Stan James.
Greece Asian Handicap Tip: +0.25 for 11/10 at Bet365

Greece World Cup 2010 Stats
Played: P1, W0, D0, L1
GF/GA: 0/2
Cards: Y1, R0
Most Shots: Theo Gekas, 2
Top Scorer: N/A
Shots/On Goal: 6/2
Fouls Committed: 12
Total Passes: 500
Pass Completion: 68%
Last 5 Form: WLDLL

Greece v Nigeria Match odds

Nigeria to win: Evens at Bet365
Draw: 12/5 at SkyBet
Greece: 7/2 at Boylesports

Manager: Otto Rehhagel
Captain: Giorgos Karagounis
FIFA Ranking: 12
World Cup appearances: 1
Best World Cup: Round 1 – 1994 

Greece Team Profile

The 2004 European Champions will be making just their second appearance in the finals of a World Cup when they travel to South Africa after successfully coming through a two-legged qualifying play-off to get there, beating Ukraine 1-0 on aggregate after a 1-0 win in Donetsk.

The Greeks will be lead in by Otto Rehhagel of Germany, one of the longest serving international managers in modern history after spending nine years at the helm of the Greek national team. Rehhagel is up their with the sporting bests in Greece, with his leadership qualities and motivational skills enabling Greece to perform to some very high standards in recent tournaments, even winning the 2004 European Championships against all odds, while the loyal and passionate Greece fans will wish for another shock win when they make the long distance trip to South Africa in the summer.

Despite Rehhagel’s position as manager looking assured after gaining qualification into South Africa, the pressure will certainly be on the German and his Greek squad to perform after an unsatisfactory display in the 2008 European Championships which seen Greece fail to make it past the group stages. Their group this time around remains competitive but one they could quite easily bypass, so there will be no excuse for failure in South Africa.

Strengths

The Greeks are worldwide renowned for their stubborn, resolute qualities. Otto Rehhagel sets his team up in an organised manner, with every defensive and midfield player knowing their role and often performing their respective duties to perfection. The Greeks really are a well oiled machine when it comes to defending, while their patient attitude when in possession enables them to dictate the tempo of most games and go at a pace that suits them, which is generally walking pace.

Weaknesses

Greece, for all their admirable qualities at the back and in midfield, aren’t the most attractive of teams on the eye, nor do they play the most entertaining of football. They go at their own pace, which is often very steady and sometimes extremely slow, to the point where the play often stops and breaks down. However, what this all boils down to is when Greece do need a goal, in those do or bust situations, they lack the required urgency needed in order to pile necessary pressure on the opposing defence. Moreover, because of their slow build ups, Greece are very predictable and very easy to defend against.

Greece Qualification for the World Cup

Sector: European
Group: 2
Position: 2nd
Win-Draw-Lose: 6-3-1
Goals Scored: 20
Goals Conceded: 10

It took a two-legged play-off with Ukraine to decide Greece’s World Cup fate. In typical Greece fashion, they made both legs scrappy and untidy, but it proved an effective tactic as they prevailed over two-legs thanks to a 1-0 win in the away leg in Donetsk.

World Cup Potential: 1/5

If we’re completely honest, we don’t think Greece will go far and, quite frankly, we don’t want them too either. They are one of the dullest footballing nations to watch and the sooner they leave the competition the better. It’s very, very rare that you come across an entertaining affair when Greece are involved, and in the greatest sporting spectacle on the planet, everyone wants to be treated to exciting games. The Greeks are too slow in their build up and often turn games in a snooze-fest, while world-class talent is at a premium to really make any serious in-roads anyway.

Greece World Cup Betting Odds

Greece to win the World Cup – 350/1 Expekt

Before the World Cup the odds on Argentina were 199/1 

Official Greece World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Tzorvas (Panathinaikos Athens)

Chalkias (PAOK Thessaloniki)

Sifakis (Aris Saloniki)

Defenders

Seitaridis (Panathinaikos Athens)

Vyntra (Panathinaikos Athens)

Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos Athens)

A. Papadopoulos (Olympiakos)

Torosidis (Olympiakos)

Kyrgiakos (Liverpool)

Papastathopoulos (Genoa)

Moras (Bologna)

Malezas (PAOK Thessaloniki)

Midfielders

Karagounis (Panathinaikos Athens)

Katsouranis (Panathinaikos Athens)

Ninis (Panathinaikos Athen)

Prittas (Aris)

Tziolis (Siena)

Patzazoglou (Omonia Nicosia)

Strikers

Charisteas (Nuremberg)

Gekas (Hertha Berlin)

Salpigidis (Panathinaikos Athens)

Samaras (Celtic Glasgow)

Kapetanos (Steaua Bucarest)

last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 Greece Fixtures – Group B

World Cup Group B - Table

World Cup Fixtures and Results

World Cup Group of Greece