I am restraining myself from using a phrase regarding Greece given I might jinx the reigning European champions. Not even giving a hint away.
But then if Greece's opening match against Sweden is anything to go by, the kind of football they are playing is not going down well with many. Not even with the Greek media which critcised coach Otto Rehhagel's tactics. But the German stood by with his decisions.
Going from triumph to tragedy is not something Greece will want. But then at Euro 2000, Germany came into the tournament as reigning champions but they went out in the group stages. If Greece want to avoid the same fate as Germany had gone through eight years ago, then something has to be done against the Russians. Russia will want to set the record straight after their heavy loss to Spain which even led to Russia coach Guus Hiddink not very pleased with his side.
So maybe it's not a surprise to me when Hiddink said that the Greek clash will be like a final. This is a coach who has international reputation, you know. The Dutchman even said that his side were 'naive' after the Spain match.
On the team news front, Russia's Roman Pavlyuchenko declared himself fit for the match. But his coach Guus Hiddink is not saying whether he will start though.
Greece were not well-liked after their opening match against Sweden. Critics have always call their style as being 'anti-football'. Winning ugly is one thing. But if losing ugly? Who likes it?
Whatever the outcome from Salzburg, Greece will have to prove why they were the champions four years ago in Portugal.
