Greece Vs. Ukraine

(14/11/09 20:00 Athens)

It is not the first time that the Greeks and the Ukrainians meet. However, it is the first time that a game is turning to become a derby. The Greek national football association (EPO) are angry with the Ukrainians who have asked 500.000 euros for the TV rights of the next round game, held in Ukraine. At the same time, the Greeks, who land in Donetsk this coming Monday, were asked to provide the Ukrainian football association with €10.000euros in order to provide them with a football training pitch. The Greeks have not turned to the FIFA to solve the matter and it is very likely that the Ukrainians will be penalized for their behaviour.

Regarding the non “political” matters, the Greeks are expecting the Ukrainian team tonight in the OAKA stadium, in Athens. According to Greek midfielder Katsouranis (plays for Panathinaikos) the Greek team is expected to try their best to keep a clean sheet, i.e. they will play in a defensive manner. He also said that the team wouldn’t mind a 0-0 draw as they could go to Donetsk with one thing in their minds, to score a goal and keep their goalposts safe. Panathinaikos goalkeeper Tzorvas is expected to be under the Greek goalposts tonight (I have to inform you that Tzorvas is in great form the couple of months) while Otto Rechagel has called a new super start striker to play for the first time for the Greeks. I am talking about Mitroglou (Olympiakos striker) who is young, enthusiastic and could really make the difference tonight. Another player to watch is Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos midfielder) who is not only in great form but also is a very good dribbler and could push the Greeks forward in counter attacks. At the heart of the Greek defence we will see, once again, Liverpool defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos who wants to prove to his British employes that he was money worth spent!

The Ukrainians are in Athens to play their most important game, as Oleksiy Mykhaylychenko stated in the press conference yesterday afternoon. Taras Mykhalyk (Dynamo Kyiv) is back in action from an injury but he is expected to play as normal. At the same time, another player who has made the journalists talk a lot about is defender Yevhen Khacherid (Dynamo Kyiv) who is of Greek origin but playing with the Ukrainian national team. What should be mentioned is that the Ukrainian team has a few yellow cards and failing to play without being booked tonight might result in some players missing next round’s game.

The two teams have met 3 times in the last 7 years. Both teams count one win and a draw so stats are reasonably balanced. Tonight, I see a balanced game too, it is the first game of the playoffs anyway so neither of the teams would want to gamble much. Therefore, the under 2.5 goals s the safest betting advice I could give. If you are a real gambler, go for “Greece to keep a clean sheet”, or “Both teams to score – No”. I find it hard to see a clear winner in this game.