Greece 0 Argentina 2

ARGENTINA coach Diego Maradona has dismissed suggestions he might rest Lionel Messi for today’s final Group B clash against Greece, insisting it would be a “sin” to deprive the public of seeing the best player on the planet.

South Korea 2 Greece 0

Giourkas Seitaridis and Christos Patsatzoglou have proved their fitness to gain inclusion in Greece’s 23-man World Cup squad.

Greece 0 Ukraine 0

GREECE coach Otto Rehhagel has urged his players to play “beyond their limits” if they want to claim a place in the 2010 World Cup by defeating Ukraine in their two-legged play-off.

Greece 1 Spain 2

Greece 0 Russia 1

THE draw for Euro 2008 made in Switzerland yesterday pitted together two of the continent’s traditional powerhouses, France and Italy, while England, under new management, go into unknown territory.

FLORENTINO PEREZ is close to a landslide victory in his bid to be re-elected as Real Madrid president.

Greece’s Euro 2004-winning coach Otto Rehhagel has turned down the chance to lead his native country Germany into the 2006 World Cup.

Otto Rehhagel is set to stay as coach of the Greek national team until after the 2006 World Cup, the Greek Football Federation said today.

The focus now is not on Greece but Germany. To whom do they turn to lead the team in the World Cup of 2006?

One of the issues raised by Greece’s unexpected victory in Euro 2004 is how to reward the players for the amazing odyssey that took them further in the tournament than anyone had expected.

Euro 2004 final referee Markus Merk angrily rejected claims that his 30-year acquaintance with Greece coach Otto Rehhagel could be considered by some as a conflict of interests ahead of Greece’s final showdown with Portugal at the Estadio da Luz tomorrow.

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel moved to increase the pressure on hosts Portugal ahead of the Euro 2004 final by revelling in his team’s status as underdogs.

After Portugal’s victory in the semi-finals the common consensus among Lisbon folk was that the city had not seen such a frenzied outpouring of celebration for 30 years.

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel insisted Portugal should have no concerns that his German compatriot Markus Merk, a friend since his teenage years, is refereeing the Euro 2004 final.

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel revealed he is a big fan of Czech Republic counterpart Karel Bruckner as his side prepares to tackle the new tournament favourites in tonight’s semi-final at the Estadio do Dragao.

SCEPTICS who looked at the European Championship draw and saw Portugal, Spain and Russia lined up in Group A could be forgiven for suggesting that Greece were about to engage in an activity as productive as tilting at windmills.

All the latest news from Portugal…

France 0-1 Greece

FRANCE midfielder Patrick Vieira, who has a thigh strain, is doubtful for tonight's quarter-final against Greece, says coach Jacques Santini.

Russia 2 Greece 1

Greece survived conceding the fastest ever goal in European Championships history to edge into the quarter-finals of Euro 2004 by the skin of their teeth.

Otto Rehhagel’s blend of German discipline and Greek character is what has taken his side to the brink of qualification for the Euro 2004 quarter-finals.

Greece striker Themistoklis Nikolaidis has warned Spain that his side are keen to build on their reputation as Euro 2004’s surprise outfit.

All today's news from Portugal.

Greece’s players believe their German coach Otto Rehhagel has given them the fighting spirit they need to become a respected side on the international scene.

Greece are fully prepared to poop the party tomorrow when they provide the opposition to host nation Portugal in the opening match of Euro 2004.