New-look Greece up for another upset

Greece have come a long way from since winning the competition seven years ago, missing out on the 2006 World Cup, losing all three matches in Euro 2008 and bowing out at the first stage of the 2010 World Cup.

The Mediterranean nation entered a new era after a decade under Otto Rehhagel's ultra-defensive, 4-5-1 playing, pump-ball-upfield-to-Charisteas side.

This Greece topped Group F with panache and a passing style that most sidescan only envy.

Greece

World ranking (as of November 2011): 8
Coach: Fernando Santos

After Rehhagel quit the national side after the 2010 World Cup, Santos took over the national side having coached Greek side PAOK for four years and has instilled a very different philosophy in the team.

Shortly after taking over the reins in 2010, he outlined his ambition clearly, speaking to fifa.com.

Santos said: "The national team will from now on use the 4-4-2 diamond system that Spain use too, with the 4-3-3 formation that was used in the past as an alternative," 

"We will only use zonal marking. Forget the man-to-man which we had before, even if we play Lionel Messi or Pele.

"We respect every opponent but we want to have our own play. Our goal is to win every match and of course to build a solid team both on defence and in attack.

And he has delivered thus far.

Greece's 14 goals scored in qualifying were contributed from 10 different players, with defenders and midfielders chipping in for most of it, and they also brandish a pass-and-move based philosophy that swept Israel and Croatia aside.

Can they win it?

Greece will be banking on the fact that they are frequently considered underdogs to pull off surprises when up against bigger sides.

Under Santos' playing style, teamwork is key and with most of the team from Greek side Olympiacos or Panathinaikos,  a pre-existing understanding already exists in the side.

More importantly. the current Greece side have a promising generation of youngsters stepping up in Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Ioannis Fetfatzidis and Sotiris Ninis.

Papadopolous is proving to be a key man in defence despite his age of 19, and his aerial strength is also highlighted with goals scored from his head in qualifying.

Dubbed the 'Greek Messi', Fetfatzidis, like the actual Messi, needed hormone treatment when young and lacks height but more than makes up for it with his skill when he has the ball at his feet.

Last but not least, Sotiris Ninis will be the man to look out for in the Greek jersey next year.

The attacking midfielder displayed electrifying pace and a powerful shot when he sealed Greece's qualification with a brilliant winning goal against Israel, cutting in from the right with a change of pace and unleashing a fierce shot into top corner that left the keeper no chance.

However, it's his sublime vision and passing skills that had him much raved about and attracted the attention from the like of Manchester United.

Taking his place at the heart of the new-look pass-loving Greece, Ninis is looking good to lead his country to more strong performances next year.

Best performance at European championships: Winners (2004)