Greeks hope to halt unbeaten run of Germans

GDANSK, Poland — Greece is hoping for another Euro 2012 giant killing when it takes on Germany with the political spectre of the Eurozone crisis hanging over Friday’s quarterfinal.

Having shocked Russia 1-0 Saturday in Group A to confirm its place in the Gdansk last-eight clash, runner-up Greece meets Group B winner Germany, which is the only team with a 100 percent record at the European championship.

The Germans are bidding to win a fourth European title and having won their three pool matches against Holland, Portugal and Denmark, plus all ten qualifiers en route to the final, the Greeks start as underdogs.

The David verses Goliath clash has added spice between two nations at the heart of the Eurozone financial crisis with one Greek paper demanding “Bring us Merkel!” after their team reached the knockout phase.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who will attend the match, has provoked anger in Greece for leading calls on Athens to impose tough austerity measures in return for financial assistance from Germany to help to bring down debt.

Both teams have already fielded numerous questions as to whether politics will play a role with Germany coach Joachim Loew insisting: “As far as we are concerned, we are approaching a normal football contest”.

But it will be anything but just football for many Greeks, as their proud nation owes Germany billions of euros in bailout money and where Merkel is a popular hate figure.

Panathinaikos midfielder Kostas Katsouranis said the Greeks have given no thought to their inevitable underdog status with the match having been nicknamed the “debt derby” in some quarters.

Greek defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos, who knows all about the German team as he plies his trade with Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga, said there may be a little fear in Loew’s relatively inexperienced side, the youngest at Euro 2012.

“I believe that (Germany) won’t take us lightly,” said the 20-year-old. “Maybe in a corner of their minds, they are a little bit scared, because we have nothing to lose now.”

With talismanic skipper Giorgos Karagounis suspended, Greece coach Fernando Santos must do without a player, who Loew has described as the “engine” of the Greek team, after Karagounis’ first-half goal sealed the win over Russia.

Denmark caused Germany a few problems before losing 2-1 Sunday and Loew has said he wants to see his team plug holes in their midfield and create more chances up front.

Germany midfielder Thomas Mueller said the Germans are too well prepared and too confident to even contemplate their elimination by the Greeks. — AFP