Group 6: Greece lead chase

By Patrick Hart

Greece and Ukraine will be doing their best to derail Spain's UEFA EURO 2004™ bandwagon when the Group 6 action resumes on Saturday.

Following the leader
Greece take on Iñaki Sáez's side in Zaragoza, while Ukraine meet Armenia in Lviv, with both countries aiming to cut the Spaniards' four-point lead at the top of the section. Spain also have the advantage of having played away to their main rivals already, cementing their pole position.

'Pride and passion'
"We are fairly optimistic," former Spanish international Emilio Butragueño told uefa.com. "I think Spain will get the necessary points to qualify." One man who begs to differ is Greece coach Otto Rehhagel, who said: "Spain are favourites but I believe we can get a result if we play with pride, passion and intelligence."

Dangerous precedent
Rehhagel's team lost 2-0 to Saturday's opponents in their opening qualifier last September, yet the German-born trainer predicts a closer contest this time. "It will be like a game of chess," he said. The coach is still to decide on his tactics, with Kostas Katsouranis of AEK Athens FC likely to join Angelos Bassinas of Panathinaikos FC in midfield only if Rehhagel opts for four in defence rather than three.

Injury concerns
Another problem are the injuries to midfield players Pantelis Kafes and Giorgos Georgiadis and defender Paraskevas Antzas. Giannis Goumas and Michalis Kapsis have been called up to deputise, while the SV Werder Bremen forward Angelos Haristeas continues to struggle with a tendinitis problem and could be replaced by Lambros Houtos of Olympiakos Piraeus FC.

'David against Goliath'
With four players also a booking away from missing next Wednesday's home game against Ukraine, Greece's worries are adding up. Not that striker Zisis Vryzas is unduly concerned. "This is not David against Goliath," he said. "We know Spain's potential but we have to play to win."

Missing players
The Ukrainians too are troubled by injury and suspension. Coach Leonid Buryak will be without four key midfield players against Armenia: Serhiy Kormiltsev and Olexandr Prizetko are unfit; Andriy Husin and Anatoliy Tymoschuk serve bans.

Lucky boots
However, Andriy Shevchenko, a UEFA Champions League winner with AC Milan, is confident they will make amends for dropping points in a 2-2 draw in Armenia in September. "I will wear the same boots that scored the winning penalty against Juventus[FC]," he said. "This, and the support of 30,000 fans, should help us get the three points."

Ukrainian focus
Buryak is expected to partner Shevchenko with Andriy Vorobei of FC Shakhtar Donetsk, rather than Serhiy Rebrov or Andriy Voronin. He said: "We are focusing on Armenia, who are traditionally tough opponents, and not Greece."

'Difficult game'
The respect is mutual. Armenia coach Mihai Stoichita said: "We have a very difficult game but will do our best to play good football." But Armenian hopes could be hurt by the possible absences of defenders Sargis Hovsepyan and Karen Dokhoyan. Both are doubtful, while Egishe Melikyan is suspended and Armen Petikyan dropped.

Late withdrawal
Indeed, it is Spain whose preparations appear to have gone smoothest. With a trip to group minnows Northern Ireland following their match against Greece, Sáez and company have suffered only the late withdrawal of Guti, who has been replaced by Gabri García of FC Barcelona.

'Enough experience'
Butragueño is confident the Real Madrid CF man will not be missed. "We have enough players who are used to playing in important games, players who play for Madrid or Barcelona and Champions League finals," he said. "I think they have enough experience."