Theofanis Gekas celebrates his goal against
Hungary at the weekend (@Getty Images)
Greece midfielder Konstantinos Katsouranis is urging his
team-mates to stay "serious and focused" as the reigning European
champions prepare to take on Moldova on Wednesday, with the chance of
pulling clear in Group C.
Sizeable advantage
A 2-0 over win against Hungary on Saturday has provided a massive boost
to Greece's UEFA EURO 2008T qualifying aspirations. With nearest rivals
Turkey losing 3-2 to Bosnia-Herzegovina it was enough to lift the team
two points clear in a compact section and Otto Rehhagel's side now have
aspirations of extending that to a daunting five points. With Turkey not
in action until September, victory against Moldova in Athens would secure
that lead, not that Katsouranis is resting easy.
'Long way to go'
"That [Hungary] win gave us three points but there is still a long
way to go," said the SL Benfica man. "Theoretically the Moldova
match is even easier but we have to be serious and focused and play with
the same style - then we can think about victory." Greece are certainly
getting used to winning again. A 4-1 loss to Turkey aside, they have been
in fine fettle in qualifying, winning their five other fixtures without
conceding a goal - form that is awakening memories of their shock triumph
at UEFA EURO 2004T.
Basinas ban
Their first-half performance against Hungary was hailed in some quarters
as their best since then, though they may now need to revisit the resilience
that marked their play three years ago too. Having brought in Theofanis
Gekas and Ioannis Amanatidis to line up alongside Angelos Charisteas in
a three-pronged attack on Saturday, with Vassilios Torosidis playing on
the left, Rehhagel will have to shuffle his pack once more as they face
Moldova without suspended captain Angelos Basinas. Momentum, however,
appears to be on their side.
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5 June 2007
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