Basinas avoids EURO comparisons

Midfielder Angelos Basinas says it is impossible to compare this Greece side with the vintage that stunned Europe by winning UEFA EURO 2004™ – at least not until the conclusion of the tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

Vital cog
The European champions may have missed out on the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but they have qualified for next summer's finals with two games to spare. Otto Rehhagel's team lead Group C with 25 points, with Norway and Turkey five and seven points adrift respectively. Basinas, a key figure in Greece's triumph in Portugal and still a vital cog in midfield, is wary of comparisons, however. "We can't compare this team with that of 2004," he said. "To answer the question of whether this side is better or not, we will have to wait until the finals and see how we do there."

History made
The feel-good factor is back at least, particularly in the wake of October's 1-0 defeat of Turkey in Istanbul which clinched Greece's EURO ticket. Basinas, 31, believes the character and performances shown throughout this campaign underline their progress following the huge disappointment of sitting out Germany 2006. "What is important is not just the fact we will go to the European finals again, but also the way we have got there," said the RCD Mallorca player. "We have qualified with two games remaining and that is something that has never happened before in the history of our national team."

Celebration
If Saturday's match against Malta in Athens is occasion for Greece fans to celebrate qualification, Basinas does not think the supporters require extra motivation to ensure a full house at the OACA Spyro Louis. "It goes without saying that we need the support and presence of our fans," he said. "Every one of us in the team wants to play in front of a full house. The Malta game is an opportunity for our fans to come and celebrate qualification with us."

Seitaridis out