Next in our analysis of the Group C candidates, we caste any eye over Greece’s prospects. Fernando Santos’ side get their World Cup campaign underway against Colombia on Saturday June 14 at 5pm, then take on Japan five days later at 11pm before going head-to-head with Ivory Coast on Tuesday June 24 at 9pm:
Road to Qualification
The Greeks finished second in a qualifying group that included Bosnia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Liechtenstein. Sticking to the same defensive style of play that helped them win Euro 2004, Santos’ side were difficult to break down and conceded only four times, with eight clean sheets accrued, though this lack of attacking intent harvested a mere 12 goals in their 10 group matches – Bosnia notched 30 times by comparison and subsequently won the group on goal difference.
After finishing as one of the best runners-up, Greece were paired with Romania in the two-legged play-offs and triumphed 4-2 on aggregate, with a 3-1 home win the first time they had scored more than two goals in any of their qualifying fixtures.
Most Starts Orestis Karnezis (12), Vasilis Torisidis, Sokratis Papastathopoulos (11), Kostas Katsouranis (10), Giannis Maniatis, Alexandros Tziolis, Giorgos Samaras (9)
Most Goals Kostas Mitroglou (5), Dimitris Salpingidis, Fanis Gekas (2)
Most Assists Vasilis Torisidis, Kostas Katsouranis (3), Giorgos Samaras (2)
The Key Targets
Tactically, Santos’ 4-3-3 system is flexible enough to allow fine-tuning and, depending on opponent and in-game situation, the Greeks are capable of shifting to a 4-1-4-1, 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2 formation.
Santos’ plans for the tournament have been blighted by injury, fitness concerns and a lack of domestic game time for some regulars.
Avraam Papadopoulos, Dimitris Siovas, Sotiris Ninis and Kostas Fortounis have all been omitted due to injury problems and top scorer Kostas Mitroglou has also struggled with injuries since arriving at Fulham in the winter transfer window. First-choice options such as keeper Orestis Karnezis and right-back Vasilis Torisidis have rarely featured for their clubs all season, whilst the likes of Kostas Katsouranis, Giorgos Karagounis and Fanis Gekas are all in the veteran bracket and may struggle to last the 90 minutes in such energy-sapping conditions.
When it comes to investing, Greece’s recent record certainly suggest that snapping up any of their attackers may be a fruitless venture. Their resilience at the back seems the likeliest source of Fantasy points – Sokratis Papastathopoulos (available for 5.3 in FantasyiTeam ) is nailed-on at centre-half and could be partnered by Verona’s Vangelis Moras, who has been recalled to the squad after a three-year absence. In spite of his lack of minutes for AS Roma, Vasilis Torisidis should still get the nod on the right of the back-four, with Jose Holebas on the opposite flank – the former seems the best bet, having provided three assists in qualifying, though Holebas can deliver a decent set-piece and comes in at 4.9 in FantasyiTeam, compared to his fellow full-back’s 5.2.
In midfield, Giannis Maniatis is listed as a defender in Fantasy games (priced at 5.2 in FantasyiTeam) and gives him the edge over Andreas Samaris – their stamina and defensive duties will be particularly key if the ageing Giorgos Karagounis is handed a start in the centre. The latter’s distribution and ability from set-pieces could also prove handy, as he’s shown on numerous occasions in the past for his country.
Up top, Kostas Mitroglou is expected to lead the line and with five goals in qualifying – including three in the play-offs against Romania – he’s easily the man most likely to deliver for a side which, in all likelihood, may well struggle to break down opponents. Available for 7.6 in FantasyiTeam, he’s the priciest option amongst Santos’ squad.
The Long Shots
On the right of the front three, Dimitris Salpingidis, who costs you 6.4 in FantasyiTeam, started seven of the last nine qualifying fixtures and chipped in with a couple of goals and an assist. At 32-year-of-age, his tournament experience is likely to ensure he retains his berth in Santos’ XI and, whilst Giorgos Samaras is just as likely to start on the left, the former looks a better shout for those looking for a punt.
Fantasy iTeam
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Further Analysis
Group A – Brazil,Cameroon, Croatia, Mexico
Group B – Australia, Chile, Holland, Spain
Group C – Colombia
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9 years, 11 months agoThey're gonna take it!