From Varangians to Greeks

Otto Rehhagel offered to become a Greek citizen

The most interested spectator of the quarterfinals, in which the Czech national team defeated the Danes, was the head coach of the Greek national team, Otto Rehhagel. The notebook in which the German wrote down his impressions will certainly become a bible for the players of the Greek national team in the days of preparation for the semi-final with the Czech team.

Otto Rehhagel rarely shares his team's game plans with reporters. “Everyone knows that I never talk about tactics, even if everything depends only on it. Usually the Greeks are strong in the individual qualities of their players, but real success can only be achieved as a team. We are working on this around the clock,” King Otto likes to point out. And in the match with the Czech Republic, which is famous for its attack, the Greek players must demonstrate everything they have learned under the leadership of the German. Moreover, the Greek team had time to recover after the quarterfinals with France. The Czechs had two fewer days off, and the Greeks see their chance in this.

Moreover, the Greek team is not at all embarrassed that they are again outsiders in the company of giants. “We were underdogs, we got used to our role and performed well. Why should anything interfere with us this time?” - asks Rehhagel, who forbade his players not only to celebrate intermediate successes with wine, but even to drink coffee.

Meanwhile, despite the fact that, according to some reports, Rehhagel may lead the Italian Lazio after the European Championship, the Greek authorities are ready to offer the German coach Greek citizenship. A similar statement was made by the Greek Minister of Public Order Georgios Voulgarakis. King Otto himself has not yet commented on the possibility of becoming Greek.

Czech national team coach Karel Brückner does not need foreign citizenship. Moreover, this specialist has never worked abroad. But in his homeland, Brückner can become a real hero. But to do this, we must at least win the European Championship - the Czechs no longer want to settle for anything less. “We have no right to make a mistake - we will not get a second chance. To heaven or hell! - Brueckner said emotionally before the start of the playoffs. Now he is in the same situation, and he considers the Greek national team no weaker than other rivals. “I watched all the Greek matches at the tournament, but the match with the Portuguese was especially interesting. They have a very powerful defensive line, and I remember some of the defenders from youth tournaments,” Karel Brückner shared his observations, habitually complaining about the lack of time for recovery. - We were unlucky in that we ended up in group “D”, and therefore we play last in all the matches. I hope that in the future the organizers of the European Championships will take this shortcoming into account.”

Andrey VDOVIN