Greece is a big longshot to win the 2014 World Cup but they do have a chance to make the knockout round in what is considered a weak Group C. Colombia is the favorite to win Group C with Ivory Coast the second choice in the betting. Japan and Greece are the two longshots but in Group C it is really Colombia for the top spot and then it is wide open.
Greece is not getting much respect in Group C but they could spring a surprise. Greece doesn’t give up many goals and even Colombia could have trouble scoring against them. Greece only gave up four goals in qualifying. They do have one top scorer in Kostas Mitroglou. He was the key player for Greece in their win over Romania in the qualifying playoff. He is known in Greece as "Mitrogoal" and "Pistolero."
Greece has made the World Cup twice, in 1994 and in 2010. They did not advance out of the Group State on either occasion.
Greece is going to win by playing suffocating defense and scoring a goal or two when they get corners. They are very precise so their chances will likely come from set pieces. Greece was so good on defense that they gave up a goal every 225 minutes in qualifying but their offense only produced a goal every 75 minutes. Five times the team won by a score of 1-0 in qualifying so they could be a good team to take under the total in their World Cup matches.
Greece is coached by Fernando Santos who took over at Greece after they lost in the 2010 World Cup. Greece played well at Euro 2012 but lost to Germany in the quarterfinals.
Schedule
14 June 2014
Colombia vs. Greece, Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte
19 June 2014
Japan vs. Greece, Arena das Dunas, Natal
24 June 2014
Greece vs. Ivory Coast, Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza
