Ten Cate hungry for a birthday treat

Panathinaikos FC coach Henk Ten Cate is planning a birthday celebration to remember as his revitalised team take on Anorthosis Famagusta FC for a place in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage from Group B.

'Great positivity'
Two superb away victories for Panathinaikos - 3-0 at Werder Bremen and 1-0 against FC Internazionale Milano a fortnight ago - have made the Greek side favourites to progress along with the Nerazzurri. Indeed, the Greens will secure a last-16 berth for the first time since 2001/02 if they avoid defeat on home soil. And Ten Cate, who turns 54 on Tuesday, is hoping to mark the occasion in style. "There is great optimism among the players and we have a good feeling that we can qualify," said the Dutchman. "This can be the best birthday present of my life. Who in the world can say they had 70,000 people at their birthday? We only need one point, so the onus is on Anorthosis to attack. Every game is different and this match is more like a cup final considering what is at stake."

'Full of confidence'
Panathinaikos looked to be out of contention after losing their opening games in the section to Inter and Anorthosis - a second Greek scalp for the islanders after they eliminated Olympiacos CFP in qualifying - but they have bounced back in style. "You only have to look at our results since the match in Cyprus - our record speaks for itself," said the coach. "We've taken seven points and we're full of confidence." Ten Cate admires what Temuri Ketsbaia's Cypriot champions have achieved, yet believes his own players' belief will prove decisive: "Anorthosis have our respect. They have shown they are a strong unit, they have done extremely well for their first time in the Champions League, but we are not afraid of them or the pressure of the game."

All positions possible
Anorthosis were held by Bremen last time out after leading 2-0, and Ten Cate looked to increase the pressure on the competition debutants by noting that "they could lose everything if Bremen beat Inter". Ketsbaia, whose third-placed side can still finish in any position, responded: "At the start of the campaign no one believed that we would achieve what we have done. Now we are playing for qualification from the group stage. We have come to Athens to do that, and although we know it's not easy we believe in ourselves."

Sávio sidelined
Ketsbaia lost more than the Cypriot league leadership when going down 1-0 at APOEL FC on Friday, with key midfielder Sávio picking up a knee injury which should sideline him on Tuesday. "We've had some injury problems but we'll give everything we've got," continued the coach, who is nonetheless boosted by the return of Cédric Bardon and goalkeeper Arian Beqaj. "We know their strengths but also their weaknesses. They have pace and aggression up front and a very solid midfield, so we know it will be difficult. They are favourites but we will wait for our chance and try to hit them where it hurts." Mikael Nilsson, Gabriel and Bryce Moon are all out for Panathinaikos, 2-1 victors at Skoda Xanthi FC on Saturday.