Rehhagel promises passion play

Motivated
However, while they may be under less pressure than the hosts, he has promised they will be just as motivated. Speaking at the pre-match press conference at the Estádio da Luz, Rehhagel said: "I promise that our players will be passionate and very motivated. We've have nothing to lose. Me and the players are very happy to have made it to the final."

Surprise package
Greece became the surprise package of the tournament after defeating holders France in the quarter-finals and the Czech Republic in the semi-finals to set up a repeat in the final of the opening game against Portugal, which the Greeks won 2-1. Their success has sent the nation into a frenzy and more than 25,000 Greeks are expected in Lisbon - more than twice their official ticket allocation of 12,000.

'Portugal are favourites'
"It is something special that, for the first time, the opening and final match of the tournament will involve the same teams," said Rehhagel, who paid tribute to Portugal for bouncing back after losing that opening match. "The tournament has been a success for Portugal who after losing to us still made it to the final. They are the favourites but Greece are the surprise and we will field a strong team in the final."

Proving their worth
Greece have combined passion with Teutonic discipline and Rehhagel admitted that he had challenged at least one of his players ahead of these finals to prove their worth. "I told [striker Angelos] Charisteas before the tournament began that now is his chance to prove he is a great player," he said.

Defensive
As for criticism that the Greek style is too defensive, Rehhagel defended their approach, citing his team's build-up play that led to the penalty from which they scored their second goal against Portugal. "Against Portugal, [Giourkas] Seitaridis won the penalty and he is a defender," he said.

Karagounis out
Rehhagel will be without suspended midfield player Giorgios Karagounis and also has doubts over the availability of central defender Mihalis Kapsis, who hurt his knee in training. In the absence of Karagounis, Stylianos Giannakopoulos is likely to play on the right side of midfield. Captain Theodoros Zagorakis, Angelos Basinas and Konstantinos Katsouranis should complete the midfield line.

Nikolaidis injured
With Themistoklis Nikolaidis ruled out with a back injury, the forward partnership of Charisteas and Zisis Vryzas will remain intact while Rehhagel will hope Kapsis is fit to partner Traianos Dellas in central defence. Seitaridis and Panagiotis Fyssas will fill the full-back slots.