'King Otto' sees crown slip in Salzburg
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Article summary
Greece justified their billing as outsiders to repeat their UEFA EURO 2004™ success as trainer Otto Rehhagel's magic touch deserted them in Salzburg.
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Unchanged formula
Great expectations
Swedish control
Rehhagel, curiously upbeat and jovial in the pre-match news conference, cut a perplexed figure of fury on the touchline as he barked orders during a game in which an energetic and enterprising Sweden side dictated the play and were rewarded for their effort. The 69-year-old German coach, who has enjoyed a strong bond with Greece's players, media and fans, will need to introduce whatever tricks he may have up his sleeve pretty quickly over the next two matches if he wants to appease the inevitable frustration and rumbles of discontent that will surely follow their disappointing start.
Outsiders
The question on everybody's lips in the build-up to the game was whether or not the holders can do it again. Rated as 100-1 outsiders in Portugal, few are tipping Greece for success this time either. And on the evidence of Tuesday night‘s events at the Stadion Wals-Siezenheim, even fewer will be doing so now.