GoGreece @ World Cup

The time has come for the much-awaited 2014 World Cup, and on June 14, the Greek National Team has its first match against Colombia in Brazil’s Belo Horizonte, with Greece hoping for a great start. The team will then face Japan on June 19, and the Ivory Coast on June 24, completing the first round of games.

The Greek team is currently ranked 10th in the world, with its trademark rock-solid defence as its stronger asset. The defence, which let in just four goals in 10 qualifiers, sealed the team’s place in Brazil. Coach Santos expects the same efficiency against early favourite Colombia, Yaya Toure’s Ivory Coast and Asia champions Japan. Veteran midfielders Karagounis and Katsouranis remain dominant figures, while Samaras, Mitroglou and Salpingidis provide a variety of attacking options.

This summer marks ten years since Greece’s stunning triumph at 2004 Euro Cup in Portugal, and the Greek team hopes to celebrate the anniversary with a successful run at the World Cup. The aim is to go one step further than they did in the 2010 South Africa World Cup and reach the tournament’s knock-out phase. Going further may seem difficult, but, after all, big sports events are made of big dreams, as the team’s 2004 triumph proved. Go Greece!