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Greece World Cup Preview
Greece has the worst betting odds to win their group, but they are in one of the weaker ones and have one of the best defensive squads playing this summer. They finished 2nd in World Cup qualifying and while they have lacked a legit striker for a long time Kostas Mitroglou may now be that guy. However, after tearing up the Greek league he played poorly when he transferred to Fulham in the England Premier League. It has been 10 years since Greece shocked the world with their European Championships win and can they do the same this summer?
Group Preview
Greece in Group C with Japan, Colombia, and Ivory Coast, which is one of the weaker groups this summer. Their first match is a good one facing the group betting favorite in Colombia, who may be without their best striker due to an injury. They then face a very tactical team in Japan and finish up group play facing Ivory Coast. The Greeks have the defense and they will be facing Colombia and Ivory Coast, who both have solid attacks.
BETTING ODDS
Odds to win World Cup: +30000
Odds to win Group: +750
Odds to finish bottom of group: +163
Best World Cup Finish: Group Stage (1994, 2010)
World Cup Match Schedule
14/06/14 Colombia vs. Greece – Estadio Mineirão
19/06/14 Japan vs. Greece – Estadio das Dunas
24/06/14 Greece vs. Ivory Coast – Estadio Castelão
Qualifying
Greece finished European World Cup qualifying with the exact same amount of points as Bosnia-Herzegovina, but lost out on the top spot because of goal differential. Their defense was superb in the qualification process, as in their 10 matches they only gave up 5 goals. They drew Romania in the playoff tie and they advanced on aggregate 4-2 winning 3-1 at home and playing to a 1-1 draw on the road. The squad was 7-1-2 with their lone loss coming to Bosnia-Herzegovina on the road.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Defense, defense, defense. I mentioned that the Greeks only gave up 5 goals in qualifying and 3 of them came in the Bosnia-Herzegovina match. They were only 1 of 3 teams that qualified for Brazil that did not give up a single goal on corner kicks in the qualifying process. The offense is their weakness and if Kostas Mitroglou does not find his form the Greeks may be in trouble. While their defense is solid they gave up most of their qualifying goals on headers.
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