Greece eye historic double

By Michael Harrold

Dimitrios Papadopoulos will take the first step towards what could be a unique double when Greece kick off the Olympic football tournament against the Korean Republic today. The Panathinaikos FC striker is bidding to add Olympic gold to his UEFA EURO 2004™ winner's medal.

Greek joy
Greece is still buzzing after the sensational triumph in Portugal, and ticket sales have soared for this tournament, for Under-23 players with three over-age players permitted, as the Olympics cash in on the feelgood factor generated by Otto Rehhagel's side. Papadopoulos will be the only player to appear in both competitions for Greece as the hosts look to repeat the feat of the senior side.

Italy success
Greece, drawn in Group A with Mexico and Mali as well as South Korea, head a European challenge also including Portugal, Serbia and Montenegro, and Italy, who like the hosts, will want to build on recent success after qualifying by winning the UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Prolific Gilardino
Claudio Gentile's Azzurrini are bursting with talent and AC Milan midfield player Andrea Pirlo adds guile and experience to a team that beat Serbia and Montenegro in the U21 final. Look out, too, for prolific striker Alberto Gilardino, who scored 23 Serie A goals for Parma FC last season, as Italy take on Ghana, Paraguay and Japan in Group B.

Golden dream

Surpassed expectations
Serbia and Montenegro's inclusion in place of the likes of France, Germany and Spain may come as a surprise, but not once you have seen this team play, or consider the country's Olympic pedigree. Three silver medals, a bronze and a gold (1960) set the standard, but Vladimir Petrovic's side have already surpassed expectations and will not be overawed by Group C opponents Argentina, Australia and Tunisia.

Lazovic threat
Feyenoord fans will be familiar with the goalscoring talents of striker Danko Lazovic, a threat to Dutch defences last season. But Serbia and Montenegro's greatest strength lies in the collective, as witnessed in their dramatic success against Sweden in the European U21 Championship semi-final that clinched their place in Greece.

Dazzling Ronaldo
Portugal begin their Group D campaign against surprise finalists Iraq and will be one of the most exciting teams to watch, with Cristiano Ronaldo set to dazzle again after setting EURO 2004™ alight. But coach José Romão's side, who also meet Morocco and Costa Rica in Group D, boast a hard edge, with FC Porto's Bosingwa adding steel at the back. Victories against Germany then Sweden to reach the Olympics suggest a fierce will to win is not unique to Portugal's senior squad.

Argentina favourites
Manchester United FC's €10.4m summer signing Gabriel Heinze is one of eleven European-based players picked to represent favourites Argentina, though if the tournament goes to recent form, the winner could come Africa. Cameroon clinched gold in Sydney and Nigeria in Atlanta four years before.

Football homecoming
Already this year, EURO 2004™, the Copa América, the African Cup of Nations and the Asian Cup have delighted fans the world over, but as Greece looks forward to a footballing homecoming, the party may only just be starting.