The month of June will be a significant one for Greece. It will have huge political implications with elections for the second time in 6 weeks on June 17 while the Greek football national team will try to repeat the miracle of 2004 during Euro 2012. The questions are will Greece exit the euro zone and when will Greece exit the Euro 2012 tournament? Which will happen first?
After more than 4 years of recession the Greek economy and people are both struggling equally. The unemployment rate rose from under 10% in 2008 to over 21% at the first Quarter of 2012. Many people saw their income shrink over 35% and the taxes they have to pay rose. They lost about 50% of their income, when at the same time the cost of living is rising. The Greeks voted on 6th of may with frustration and disappointment about the harsh measures the EU & IMF forces Greece to take. The wanted to give Europe and the Greek politicians 2 clear messages: No more wage and pension cutbacks because the cant bear the situation any more. The other message they wanted to give is that they want that political parties to work together and find the best solutions together in a coalition government. However the leaders of Greece´s three largest political parties failed to form a coalition government, leaving the president with one final opportunity to avert new elections for the 17th June that could drive the debt-choked country out of the eurozone.
The New Democracy Party (center-right) and PASOK (center-left) think the Europeans especially Germany mean what they say about no more loans unless Greece lives within its means. New Democracy and PASOK are committed to keeping Greece in the eurozone. Greece, they argue, gains political clout and economic stability from being in the European Union and the eurozone. Remaining in the eurozone requires fiscal restraint and budget reform, which means accepting austerity.
After more than 4 years of recession the Greek economy and people are both struggling equally. The unemployment rate rose from under 10% in 2008 to over 21% at the first Quarter of 2012. Many people saw their income shrink over 35% and the taxes they have to pay rose. They lost about 50% of their income, when at the same time the cost of living is rising. The Greeks voted on 6th of may with frustration and disappointment about the harsh measures the EU & IMF forces Greece to take. The wanted to give Europe and the Greek politicians 2 clear messages: No more wage and pension cutbacks because the cant bear the situation any more. The other message they wanted to give is that they want that political parties to work together and find the best solutions together in a coalition government. However the leaders of Greece´s three largest political parties failed to form a coalition government, leaving the president with one final opportunity to avert new elections for the 17th June that could drive the debt-choked country out of the eurozone.
The New Democracy Party (center-right) and PASOK (center-left) think the Europeans especially Germany mean what they say about no more loans unless Greece lives within its means. New Democracy and PASOK are committed to keeping Greece in the eurozone. Greece, they argue, gains political clout and economic stability from being in the European Union and the eurozone. Remaining in the eurozone requires fiscal restraint and budget reform, which means accepting austerity.
In contrast Syriza (Radical Left) announced many times that they will cancel the inhuman austerity program of the EU and IMF. But the execution of the austerity program is precondition from international lenders for further loan guarantees and economic assistance. Syriza's no-austerity leaders, however, argue that Germany and France will change their position when they actually face a eurozone breakup. The Syriza-istas argue the election of French Socialist President Francois Hollande demonstrates a "shift to the left" in France that they contend will weaken German demands for Greek debt reduction. While on the campaign trail, Hollande claimed he did not favor austerity measures, or at least he didn't favor harsh austerity measures.
The threat of bankruptcy for Greece and a future outside the eurozone is bigger than ever but chances are that ND will win the elections and could built a coalition with other parties. Should Syriza win they will not be as radical as the claimed during their campaign and I am hopeful they too would find a way to do some reforms and still be able to stay in the euro zone.
So the only unanswered question is how far will Greece go in the Euro 2012 tournament?
This will be Greece´s fourth appearance at the championship, but it is the third in a row, which shows an upward trend. The group is nearly even with slight advantages for Russia, and Poland as one of the hosts. The Czech Republic appears to be on the same level as Greece. The opening game against the hosts reminds every Greek of the miracle of Portugal in 2004, when Greece beat Portugal at the opening game and then later again in the Final accomplishing one of the biggest surprises in football history. The coach of that era Otto Rehhagel is a legend in Greece, but was replaced in mid 2010 by Fernando Santos. The new coach understands the Greek mentality, style of play and character even better since not only did he coach club teams like Porto and Benfica, but also Greek clubs AEK, Panathinaikos, and PAOK. He is trying to teach the Greeks to tactically retain possession and not to only rely on their defense, which still remains the main strength of this team. The team benefits from the unique atmosphere among the players which goes back to 2004 and is something that was important to coach Rehhagel at that time. Rehhagel always insisted on a family like environment among the players. Everybody fights for everybody. In contrast to politics the players do know that only together they can achieve another miracle regardless of the club team they belong to and their often heated rivalries.
The threat of bankruptcy for Greece and a future outside the eurozone is bigger than ever but chances are that ND will win the elections and could built a coalition with other parties. Should Syriza win they will not be as radical as the claimed during their campaign and I am hopeful they too would find a way to do some reforms and still be able to stay in the euro zone.
So the only unanswered question is how far will Greece go in the Euro 2012 tournament?
This will be Greece´s fourth appearance at the championship, but it is the third in a row, which shows an upward trend. The group is nearly even with slight advantages for Russia, and Poland as one of the hosts. The Czech Republic appears to be on the same level as Greece. The opening game against the hosts reminds every Greek of the miracle of Portugal in 2004, when Greece beat Portugal at the opening game and then later again in the Final accomplishing one of the biggest surprises in football history. The coach of that era Otto Rehhagel is a legend in Greece, but was replaced in mid 2010 by Fernando Santos. The new coach understands the Greek mentality, style of play and character even better since not only did he coach club teams like Porto and Benfica, but also Greek clubs AEK, Panathinaikos, and PAOK. He is trying to teach the Greeks to tactically retain possession and not to only rely on their defense, which still remains the main strength of this team. The team benefits from the unique atmosphere among the players which goes back to 2004 and is something that was important to coach Rehhagel at that time. Rehhagel always insisted on a family like environment among the players. Everybody fights for everybody. In contrast to politics the players do know that only together they can achieve another miracle regardless of the club team they belong to and their often heated rivalries.
Team spirit and fighting spirit are the strengths of this team. Using their defensive abilities they have a chance to win the opening game. A win in the opening game will only strengthen the believe that qualifying for the Quarter-finals is a possibility especially because of the undeniable parallels it would create to 2004.
Santos will have to choose between Chalkias (Paok) and Sifakis (Aris) which both are good goalkeepers, but can be inconsistent. The heart of the team are the two central defenders Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Avraam Papadopoulos while Kyrgiakos Papadopoulos also being a good alternative having played a great season in the Bundesliga for Schalke 04 and certainly would deserve to be a starter on the Greek team. Sokratis whose last name is too long to fit on the back of a jersey and at the young age of 23 already palyed for Genoa and AC Milan, but never established himself in the starting 11 of Italian football giants. Eeventually transferred to Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga where he has continued to grow into a reliable central defender who does not lose many challenges. Avraam Papadopoulos has also become a strong central defender having learned a lot from playing alongside Mellberg at Olympiacos. The favorite for the left back is Jose Holebas. On the right back position it is Vasilis Torosidis who probably is one of the most skillful players on the Greek team.
In midfield Greece has two Euro 2004 veterans with Katsouranis and Karagounis.
Karagounis (35) scored in the opening game of Euro 2004, the first goal of the tournament, is the captain of the team, and seems to be reenergized for the Euro 2012 tournament. He has 117 caps for Greece and should he play all three group stage matches will become Greece' most capped player overtaking Theodoros Zagorakis, the MVP of the Euro 2004 tournament.
Katsouranis was one of the best defensive midfielders Greece has ever had, but his form is on the decline. One can hope that he will be able to find his old form during the tournament. Maniatis used to play at right back, but due to a number of injuries in his club team, Olympiacos, helped out in the defensive midfield in the Champions League game against Marseille in which he played the game of his life. Since then he has established himself in that position at Olympiacos, the national team, and not only shows defensive ability, but also a good passing accuracy.
Santos will have to choose between Chalkias (Paok) and Sifakis (Aris) which both are good goalkeepers, but can be inconsistent. The heart of the team are the two central defenders Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Avraam Papadopoulos while Kyrgiakos Papadopoulos also being a good alternative having played a great season in the Bundesliga for Schalke 04 and certainly would deserve to be a starter on the Greek team. Sokratis whose last name is too long to fit on the back of a jersey and at the young age of 23 already palyed for Genoa and AC Milan, but never established himself in the starting 11 of Italian football giants. Eeventually transferred to Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga where he has continued to grow into a reliable central defender who does not lose many challenges. Avraam Papadopoulos has also become a strong central defender having learned a lot from playing alongside Mellberg at Olympiacos. The favorite for the left back is Jose Holebas. On the right back position it is Vasilis Torosidis who probably is one of the most skillful players on the Greek team.
In midfield Greece has two Euro 2004 veterans with Katsouranis and Karagounis.
Karagounis (35) scored in the opening game of Euro 2004, the first goal of the tournament, is the captain of the team, and seems to be reenergized for the Euro 2012 tournament. He has 117 caps for Greece and should he play all three group stage matches will become Greece' most capped player overtaking Theodoros Zagorakis, the MVP of the Euro 2004 tournament.
Katsouranis was one of the best defensive midfielders Greece has ever had, but his form is on the decline. One can hope that he will be able to find his old form during the tournament. Maniatis used to play at right back, but due to a number of injuries in his club team, Olympiacos, helped out in the defensive midfield in the Champions League game against Marseille in which he played the game of his life. Since then he has established himself in that position at Olympiacos, the national team, and not only shows defensive ability, but also a good passing accuracy.
Ninis was considered one of the biggest up and coming talents. In a game against AS Roma in February of 2010 he got a penalty, an assist, and scored a great goal making him immortal at his club team. He is very quick and his close control skills allow him to weave his way through the opponents defense. Ninis is almost irreplaceable and crucial when Greece attacks. He will be transferring to Parma for the new season in the Serie A.
Fetfazidis does not seem to have a starting role and does not get to play much either. He is often being compared to Lionel Messi by fans and Greece based players while having the nickname of the "Greek Lionel Messi" due to his close ball control and skill. For me, if he gets the chance to play he will be with Ninis the big surprise of the tournament.
In summary both politically and on the pitch the summer of 2012 will be an exciting one and maybe the performances at Euro 2012 can give the people of Greece some comfort and hope during such uncertain times.
One can deduct a possible lineup with three heroes of 2004 starting based on
Greece's past friendly games.
Chalkias / Sifakis
Torosidis Papastathopoulos/ K Papadopoulos A Papadopoulos Holebas
Maniatis Katsouranis Karagounis
Ninis (Salpingidis) Samaras (Fetfazidis)
Gekas (Salpingidis)
Greek Squad for EURO 2012:
Goalkeepers: Costas Chalkias (PAOK), Michalis Sifakis (Aris), Alexandros Tzorvas (Palermo).
Defenders: Vassilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Werder Bremen), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiakos), Jose Holebas (Olympiakos), Stelios Malezas (PAOK), Giorgos Tzavelas (Monaco), Yiannis Maniatis (Olympiakos), Kyriakos Papadopoulos (Schalke).
Midfielders: Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Costas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Giorgos Fotakis (PAOK), Costas Fortounis (Kaiserslautern), Yiannis Fetfatzidis (Olympiakos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Grigoris Makos (AEK Athens).
Forwards: Georgios Samaras (Celtic), Dimitris Salpigidis (PAOK), Costas Mitroglou (Atromitos), Nikos Lymberopoulos (AEK Athens), Fanis Gekas (Samsunspor).
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Fetfazidis does not seem to have a starting role and does not get to play much either. He is often being compared to Lionel Messi by fans and Greece based players while having the nickname of the "Greek Lionel Messi" due to his close ball control and skill. For me, if he gets the chance to play he will be with Ninis the big surprise of the tournament.
In summary both politically and on the pitch the summer of 2012 will be an exciting one and maybe the performances at Euro 2012 can give the people of Greece some comfort and hope during such uncertain times.
One can deduct a possible lineup with three heroes of 2004 starting based on
Greece's past friendly games.
Chalkias / Sifakis
Torosidis Papastathopoulos/ K Papadopoulos A Papadopoulos Holebas
Maniatis Katsouranis Karagounis
Ninis (Salpingidis) Samaras (Fetfazidis)
Gekas (Salpingidis)
Greek Squad for EURO 2012:
Goalkeepers: Costas Chalkias (PAOK), Michalis Sifakis (Aris), Alexandros Tzorvas (Palermo).
Defenders: Vassilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Werder Bremen), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiakos), Jose Holebas (Olympiakos), Stelios Malezas (PAOK), Giorgos Tzavelas (Monaco), Yiannis Maniatis (Olympiakos), Kyriakos Papadopoulos (Schalke).
Midfielders: Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Costas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Giorgos Fotakis (PAOK), Costas Fortounis (Kaiserslautern), Yiannis Fetfatzidis (Olympiakos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Grigoris Makos (AEK Athens).
Forwards: Georgios Samaras (Celtic), Dimitris Salpigidis (PAOK), Costas Mitroglou (Atromitos), Nikos Lymberopoulos (AEK Athens), Fanis Gekas (Samsunspor).
Return to EURO 2012 Previews
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