Source: Xinhua
06-14-2008 09:37
Special Report: 2008 European ChampionshipsINNSBRUCK, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Holders Greece will need to show the stuff of champions if they are to revive their Euro 2008 ambitions against Russia on Saturday.
With both sides smarting following first-day defeats, the stakes have been raised an extra notch ahead of their Group D meeting in Salzburg.
Russia coach Guus Hiddink billed it as a battle of the outsiders, while Greece counterpart Otto Rehhagel admitted the last few days had been "difficult" as both sides aimed to bounce back.
Russia suffered a 4-1 reverse at the hands of Spain in Innsbruck, before Rehhagel's side lost 2-0 to Sweden at the Stadion Salzburg Wals-Siezenheim.
Both teams must get their campaign back on track on Saturday.
Greece defender Traianos Dellas believes reports of a Greek demise are exaggerated, insisting that the European champions can still "achieve great things".
"This team has potential, it can achieve great things," said the AEK Athens FC centre-back.
"But we are not invincible, no team is. There are always matches you can lose. That doesn't change our point of view, though, because we are still focused on the job at hand."
The towering 32-year-old urged fans to continue their support to Greece in this crucial time, saying unity is the vital ingredient that can turn around their fortunes.
"This team has a great asset - its unity - the players stick together," Dellas said. "The fans should be proud of this Greece squad because it is up to eighth place in the world rankings. Thisis very important for us and for securing our future in the tournament."
Rehhagel is expected to discard the tactic of a five-man defence, which proved noneffective against Swedes in Salzburg, andopt for a more attacking 4-3-3 lineup.
Fanis Gekas should start as his pace will trouble Russia's defence but Rehhagel has to choose the other two from Angelos Haristeas, Yannis Amanatidis and Nikos Liberopoulos.
Hiddink has pledged no big changes to the team but there is still question mark over the fitness of key scorer Roman Pavlyuchenko, who missed some training on Thursday due to a thigh problem.
The absence of the Spartak Moscow striker, who scored their only goal against Spain, would be a blow to Russia, already without suspended forward Andrei Arshavin and injured striker Pavel Pogrebnyak.
Hiddink referred to his "young team" needing to "learn fast" at the pre-match news conference but called his players to put away their "naive" performance against Spain and keep concentrated.
"It's like a final and I'm curious to see how our players manage, not just tactically but mentally and emotionally," he said.
"Many, many teams have the experience of playing in finals and the Champions League. It's up to our players to see how they cope with playing in the finals."
Editor:Zhang
