SPORTS> Off the Pitch
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SPORTS> Off the Pitch
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Greece hurt by World Cup exit, eye Euro 2008
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-05-31 17:26 Since then, Greece have considerably grown in confidence, Rehhagel extended his contract until 2008 and dozens of players have emigrated to compete in better football leagues.
"I want to take advantage of this friendly to find the starting team in our opening qualifier against Moldova," said Rehhagel, who has gradually brought in younger players, including Manchester City's recent record signing Giorgos Samaras and keeper Michalis Sifakis, targeted by Marseille. BITTER DEFEAT This is a far cry from preparations for the 2006 World Cup campaign that started two months after the European championships. Still reeling in delight from their Euro glory in July and with most players only just back from their holidays, Greece started their World Cup qualifiers with a spectacular 2-1 defeat against Albania in September 2004. After that, things never really improved for Greece, who were left trailing group leaders Ukraine and fighting it out until the last match with Turkey and Denmark for the group's second spot. They ended up in fourth place, their hopes of a second World Cup participation after 1994 dashed. "We are seriously preparing for September and we will work as hard as necessary to qualify," midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos said. "We don't want to miss out on this event as well because we are the reigning champions." Greece are drawn in Group C with Moldova, Hungary, Malta, Norway, Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
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