After having covered Group E (Cameroon, Japan, Denmark, and the Netherlands), it is now time to see what’s up in Group B which is composed of Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, and Greece.

Greece has had limited success in international competitions with only 3 participations in the final tournaments of World Cup 1994 and Euros 1980 and 2004. It was in the latter that Greece stunned the world of football by winning the tournament. Another example of how sometimes the underdog wins it all! The 2004 Euro was held in Portugal and the Greeks, coming from nowhere, managed to defeat the host Portugal twice, including in the final 1 – 0, but also France, the previous winner of the Euro in 2000, and the Czech Republic in the quarter and semi finals! I didn’t like the style of the Greek team who favoured ultra defensive tactics. However, I must admit that I have never seen a team apply German coach Otto Rehhagel’s strategy and tactics with such obediance and will. You often see deviations from what a coach has planned for his team and what happens on the pitch (more on this later when I cover France…) but in the case of Greece in the Euro 2004, it was a masterpiece of applying to the letter what had been devised in the locker-room.

Greece will probably have a tough time getting through to the second round in the World Cup but you never know with such a competitive minded coach like Rehhagel.

Enjoy the following slideshow.

Maracanazos have respect for great coaches.