Greece face a crucial World Cup opening match against South Korea on Saturday with a win for either side offering three valuable points in a group that also includes Argentina and Nigeria.
European champions in 2004, Greece failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup and lost all three group games as defending champions at the 2008 Euro.
Coached by 72-year-old German Otto Rehhagel, who guided Greece to that Euro 2004 title, the Greeks are also eyeing a better turn-out than at their sole previous appearance at the World Cup, in 1994, when the team not only managed to lose all three games, but also failed to score.
But midfielder Christos Patsatzoglou insisted Tuesday that the team, who have lost 2-0 to Paraguay and secured a 2-2 draw with North Korea in warm-up matches, were now focused on a flying start to this campaign.
"All the players are living a dream because the World Cup is the greatest tournament in the world," said Patsatzoglou, who plays for Cypriot outfit Omonia.
"We know we have a key game against South Korea. If we win, we are in a position to try to qualify for the next round.
"It's very important not to lose, everybody knows that," the 31-year-old said of Saturday's game in Port Elizabeth.
Greece endured a stuttering path to qualifying for the World Cup.
After leaking 10 goals in 10 games and managing only three clean sheets in a group that included pool winners Switzerland, Israel, Moldova, Latvia and Luxembourg, they beat Ukraine in a play-off.
Patsatzoglou said, however, that that was water under the bridge and admitted that the mighty Diego Maradona-coached Argentina were the outright favourites in their World Cup first round.
"Everybody knows Argentina are favourites to win the group. Having them for our last match in the group, it's good and bad at the same time," he said.
"The outcome of that match will depend on the result of the first two games.
"First of all, however, we're looking at South Korea and getting the result we want.
Greece play Nigeria in Bloemfontein on June 17 and round off their Group B campaign against the Argentinians five days later in Polokwane. South Korea play Argentina in Johannesburg and then Nigeria in Durban on the same days.
Patsatzoglou pinpointed Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung as the key man for South Korea.
"Park is definitely their top player," he said. "We've seen lots of DVDs of South Korea, but not only of Park in action.
"All their players are good and work well as a team. It's important for us to be focused and get the win."
Panathinaikos defender Nikos Spyropoulos also acknowledged that Greece would have to contend with a well-knitted South Korean side.
"As everybody knows, the first match is the crunch match. It's essential to get a winning result.
"We will have to deal with a very disciplined team. I hope that on Saturday we'll be as fit as possible to achieve that goal."
Source: AFP
