Greece commence title defence

As they take on Belarus in a friendly tonight, European champions Greece are doing their best to put their 2006 FIFA World Cup disappointment behind them.

Cyprus tournament
The UEFA EURO 2004™ winners failed to reach this summer's World Cup in Otto Rehhagel's homeland, but when they face Belarus as part of the eight-team Cyprus tournament in Limassol, the German coach will be beginning preparations for a continental title defence.

World Cup group
With no World Cup finalists in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group C - Turkey, Norway, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, Moldova and Malta form the opposition - Greece may feel they have a favourable draw. However, to make the best of that bit of luck, they will need to improve on the form they have shown since success in Portugal.

Declining form
In the 36 games between his appointment in August 2001 and the UEFA EURO 2004™ final, Rehhagel's side won 21, drew eight and lost seven. However, in 20 matches since - including the FIFA Confederations Cup and World Cup qualifiers - Greece have recorded seven victories, six draws and seven defeats.

Old hands
Such results have led some to question Rehhagel's commitment to the thirtysomething generation that sealed Greece's 2004 triumph, yet the likes of Antonios Nikopolidis, Traianos Dellas, Panagiotis Fyssas, Angelos Basinas and Stylianos Giannakopoulos remain central to the coach's plans.

Rehhagel stalwarts
"New players have to be told some things many times," Rehhagel said as he reiterated his commitment to the old guard. "Older players, like Giannakopoulos, don't need to be told the same thing twice - they get it right straight away."

Misfiring forwards
Few would question the presence of the experienced Konstantinos Katsouranis, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Georgios Seitaridis and Georgios Karagounis in a 23-man squad for the Cyprus tournament, but it is in attack where low-scoring Greece arguably require new blood most.

Samaras enlisted
Rehhagel has been keen to experiment with up-and-coming forwards like Dimitrios Salpingidis, Theofanis Gekas, Evangelos Mantzios and Panagiotis Lagos, while the Belarus match could showcase Manchester City FC's new €8.8m signing Georgios Samaras who has received his first international call-up.

Interesting experiment
"I have been watching Samaras for a while and now was the appropriate time to select him," Rehhagel said of the former SC Heerenveen striker, who is already turning heads in the Premiership. "It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to the atmosphere of the senior squad."

Zagorakis question
Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see whether captain Theodoros Zagorakis, the star of UEFA EURO 2004™, can be persuaded to continue his international career. The 34-year-old, now at PAOK FC, has refused to make a firm commitment to Rehhagel's side.

Future focus
The coach is keen to see him carry on, though, saying: "I had a meeting with Zagorakis and told him I want him to stay. As long as he plays competitive football for his club, he will be in my plans." Should the Greek talisman decide to hang up his boots, Rehhagel's focus will be forced from the past to the future whether he likes it or not.