EPTGreece
Keepers
This time round we aren't in the possession of a world class keeper like Nikopolidis was.
•Halkias
- 38 years old
- Paok
- Positions
- Goalkeeper
- Goalkeeper
He is solid. He won't save us from defeat alone, but he can help along.
Defense
So, Greece's main strengh is once again its defense. This generation is blessed with some extremely talented backs and stoppers.
• V.Torosidis
- 26 years old
- Olympiakos
- Positions
- Right back
- Left back
- Defensive midfielder
- Right midfielder
- Right back
He's very fast, very strong, has a good header and can score like a mothafucka(video in spoiler). His name has being linked quite a few times with big clubs and I'm very surprised and happy he's still in Greece. A high caliber back.+ Show Spoiler [video] +
• A.Papadopoulos
- 27 years old
- Olympiakos
- Positions
- Center back
- Center back
Strong, tall, fast( not agile though). He's the natural successor of Dellas from the team of 2004. He's someone you can depend on with the task of marking a high profile player and pull through it.
• S.Papastathopoulos
- 23 years old
- Werder Bremen
- Positions
- Center back
- Center back
Athletic, smart, knows how to play the ball down his field as well.
He's the one who had the biggest breakthrough so far in his career, with a jump to Milan 2 years ago, in which he didn't manage to take a starters jersey and thus he left. He's the most technically gifted full stopper I've seen coming from Greece and his marking is also remarcable(nice pun lol). He will most probably be bought by Juventus this summer.
•K.Papadopoulos
- 20 years old
- Shalke
- Positions
- Center back
- Defensive midfielder
- Center back
He's like Hulk. Just look at his body, and he has being like that since I first show him on Olympiakos, while he was only 14 years old. The young prodigy is like a natural disaster set upon the unfortunate attackers of the enemy team. His short passing is solid, and he's capable of 70 meters long crosses with accuracy. This one will be a world class player in a couple of years, many expectations from him this summer.
Midfield
This is by far our weakest line unfortunately. We still have Karagounis and Katsouranis from the old squad, but they are kinda bad now, too old. These are their last appearances though so I hope they will put their heart into it.
The only really notable players are :
•G.Fetfatzidis
- 21 years old
- Olympiakos
- Positions
- Right winger
- Left winger
- Attacking midfielder
- Right winger
Greece hasn't be lucky with such a promising talent for the last 15 years. He's short, fast, dribbles with ease, and he's a lefty. He got a Messi vibe in him, albeit without the goalscoring ability.(
I hope he won't be afraid to ask the ball from his seasoned teammates and step up to a leading position.
+ Show Spoiler [video] +
•S.Ninis
- 22 years old
- Panathinaikos
- Positions
- Attacking midfielder
- Attacking midfielder
Another promising talent linked with spanish and english clubs. The young player has both feet strong, he excels in long range shooting and through passing. He has already shown commanding presense with his club so if he's healthy he can make his name heard.
+ Show Spoiler [video] +
•K.Fortounis
- 19 years old
- Kaiserslautern
- Positions
- Midfielder
- Attacking midfielder
- Midfielder
This youngster had being asked for by Juventus 2 years ago, but his former team Asteras declined.
Now bought by the German club he has made many good appearances in the Bundesliga despite his young age and he is on the rise. Creativity, keen mind, excellent passing and a good shot are his greater strengths. He will compete for a starting position along with Fetfatzidis and Ninis.
Offense
Our offense is better than the 2004 squad. Aside from the 2 competent veterans Lyberopoulos and Salpiggidis, the 2 starters are :
•G.Samaras
- 27 years old
- Celtic
- Positions
- Left winger
- Right winger
- Center forward
- Left winger
Although he can score given the chance, he's most important cause he can hold the ball and make the game. He has excellent technique for his height and he's the man who creates chances for the centre forward.
•T.Gekas
- 31 years old
- Samsunpor
- Positions
- Center forward
- Center forward
He is beyond his best years in Bundesliga where he had many good seasons with solid 20's, but he remains a prolific scorer. We won't make many chances for goal, but the few we will, he has the ability to turn them into gold.
All in all, we once come again armed up to the teeth. We won't play pretty, we won't play fast, but we will play solid and calm. In raw talent and ability this team is better to the 2004 but that doesn't mean much. I expect to get out of our group and be eliminated right after.
