Greece

Greece Profile

Greece

TEAM FACTS:

Name: Greece

Coach: Otto Rehhagel

Captain: Giorgos Karagounis

Star players: Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Theofanis Gekas and Angelos Charisteas

Team nickname: The pirate ship

Titles held: European Champions 2004

Team best known for: Winning Euro 2004 the second time they qualified for the competition

Fifa ranking: 13

 

Greece, who made their first international appearance at the UEFA Euro 1980 in Italy, has become very impressive and has a fan base that follows them everywhere. The team won the UEFA Euro 2004 defying the odds and beating more established teams like Portugal and France.

 

The coach, Otto Rehhagel, has enjoyed much glory since his victory on home soil. ‘King Otto’, as he is referred to, was forgiven for the team’s failure to qualify for the Fifa World Cup 2006 in Germany and an early exit at the Euro 2008, when the team qualified for the 2010 Fifa World Cup in superb fashion. They did this by beating Luxembourg, Latvia and Moldova and did not concede any goals in the process.

 

“The players have been rewarded for their incredible passion and competitive spirit. We said that before achieving success you need to have the gods on your side,” said Otto Rehhagel, (according to Fifa.com).

 

After Euro 2004, the 2005 Confederations Cup was treated as a time for experimentation as many players were given a chance to play for their national team. Although they suffered losses to Brazil, Japan and drew against Mexico, they saw it as a stepping stone because the team was still very new to international competitions.

 

Greece was the favourite in their group to qualify for the 2006 Fifa World Cup in Germany but unfortunately after much hard work and criticism, they did not qualify. Euro 2008 was another hurdle for the Greeks. During the qualifying stages, Greece moved to 8th place on the Fifa ranking, the highest they have ever been. After qualifying, they lost all three games and became the first defending champion to not score a single point in the next European Championship. The next challenge for the Greeks is conquering the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

 

Rehhagel will not have a problem when it comes to experience. He can call on defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos, midfielder Karagounis or top scorer in the European Zone of qualifying Theofanis Gekas to make sure his team makes it all the way. He will definitely be calling on Angelos Charisteas to work his magic like he did in the final of Euro 2004.

 

While in Nelson Mandela Bay for the match between Korea and Greece, take the time to indulge in the pleasure of being in a place that combines big city living with small town values:

 

See the sun set on a veld covered with flowers and wild plants, watch wild animals run free and experience the thrill of watching a shark pass your boat; all this can be done in the malaria free area of Nelson Mandela Bay. The Addo Elephant National Park, an hour’s drive from the city centre, caters for all animal lovers. Enjoy the Big 7, consisting of elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark, in their natural habitat in an open vehicle or guided walk.

 

If marine life fascinates you, then diving in Nelson Mandela Bay is a must. Beautiful reefs, interesting shipwrecks from years gone by, colourful soft coral species and the warm water of Algoa Bay will keep you in the water for hours. Surfing, wind surfing, jet skiing and sailing can also be enjoyed in the Bay.

 

A delicious steak covered in a creamy mushroom sauce, chicken and prawn curry, an espetada done in a red wine sauce, sushi, or a decadent piece of double chocolate cake; will satisfy the fussiest palate. Nelson Mandela Bay has the highest capita ratio of restaurants per population in South Africa and with all that variety; everyone will definitely find something to suite their taste.

 

A vibrant array of night clubs to dance the night away, pubs where you can enjoy a beer and a game of pool, and award-winning cocktail bars that serve anything from a banana split martini to bubblegum bazooka; make Nelson Mandela Bay a popular party destination.

 

For the art lover, there are many theatre shows, museums, and art galleries in and around the Bay. Cinemas that show both the new and the old invite all for time to escape to a world that fulfills all your dreams.

 

For more information on the above activities or more activities on offer in Nelson Mandela Bay contact Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism on +27 (0) 41 582 2575 or email info@nmbt.co.za.