Greece think only of victory

Denmark visit Greece
Barely months after their UEFA EURO 2004™ triumph in June, Greece began their Group 2 campaign with defeat in Albania and draws with Turkey and Ukraine. In November they beat Kazakhstan 3-1, but still only lie fifth ahead of their meeting with second-placed Denmark in Piraeus.

'Difficult match'
Denmark are unbeaten, and if they win will be four points ahead of Greece with a game in hand. Home coach Otto Rehhagel, whose side overcame a similarly slow start to EURO 2004™ qualifying, is well aware of the importance of the encounter, saying: "We have a very difficult match ahead and we must lift our performance considerably in order to achieve the win. We are only thinking about victory - there is no other result in our mind."

Duo out
However, centre-back Michalis Kapsis has a back problem and striker Dimitrios Papadopoulos a thigh strain, leaving both sidelined. Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Konstantinos Katsouranis are vying for Kapsis's regular starting berth.

Olsen bullish
Denmark themselves are without injured defenders Martin Laursen, Thomas Helveg and Claus Jensen while winger Jesper Grønkjær is suspended. Despite those absences, coach Morten Olsen, who has lured Per Nielsen out of international retirement for the match, said: "I think you have a better chance of a result when you have an experienced team - where all players have been there before and know the way you play - and that is what we have."

Ukraine test
Ukraine have a five-point advantage at the top of the group, and that could increase if they win in Albania, who are level on points with Denmark. The home team are missing left-back Ardian Aliaj, midfielder Besnik Hasi and forward Altin Rraklli through injury, while right-back Elvin Beqiri is banned.

Albanian attack
However, Albania coach Hans-Peter Briegel has forward Igli Tare fit to lead the attack against a side hoping to have Andriy Voronin and Andriy Shevchenko available despite recent injuries. Briegel declared: "We will play for three points and will attack, though not by overcommitting ourselves. Ukraine are able to wait and then break, so we should not give them any space." Playmaker Ervin Skela has identified Voronin as the danger man, but Ukraine's Bayer 04 Leverkusen forward has a foot problem and may miss out.

Spanish selection
Draws in Lithuania and Bosnia-Herzegovina have left Spain third in Group 7, but Luis Aragonés's squad expect to move to within two points of leaders Serbia and Montenegro when bottom side San Marino visit Almeria. Midfielder Iván de la Peña is set for his senior debut, but Iván Helguera, Rubén Baraja, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Morientes, José Antonio Reyes, Juan Carlos Valerón and suspended David Albelda are all absent.

Going for goals
Spain captain Raúl González, who partners Fernando Torres up front, said: "The more goals we score the better - which won't be simple as we are expecting them to put a lot of players behind the ball. We need to be patient and hopefully, when the first goal arrives, that will open the way for more."

Free entry
The remaining fixture sees F.Y.R. Macedonia welcome Andorra in Group 1. When these teams met in October, Andorra gained their first-ever competitive victory, so the home nation, a place above their visitors in fifth, are giving fans free entry as they seek to avenge that defeat.