Greece aiming for a giant killing against Germany

Greece are hoping for another Euro 2012 giant killing when they take on Germany with the political spectre of the eurozone crisis hanging over tomorrow’s quarter-final. Having shocked Russia 1-0 on Saturday in Group A to confirm their place in the Gdansk last-eight clash, runners-up Greece take on Group B winners Germany, who are the only team with a 100% record at the European championship. The Germans are bidding to win a fourth European title and having won their three pool matches against Holland, Portugal and Denmark, plus all ten qualifiers en route to the final, the Greeks start as underdogs. The David verses Goliath clash has added spice between two nations at the heart of the Eurozone financial crisis with one Greek paper demanding “Bring us Merkel!” after their team reached the knock-out phase. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has provoked anger in Greece after leading the calls on Athens to impose tough austerity measures in return for financial assistance from Germany to help to bring down debt. The Germans have already fielded numerous questions as to whether politics will play a role with coach Joachim Loew insisting: “As far as we are concerned, we are approaching a normal football contest”. But it will be anything but just football for many Greeks, as their proud nation owes Germanybns of euros in bailout money and where Merkel is a popular hate figure. Celtic forward Giorgos Samaras says the team are playing to try and bring some more joy to their compatriots with Greece enduring a fifth year of recession. “We are a team, 23 players, we don’t play for ourselves, but for 11mn people who are hoping for us to do something worthwhile, so that they can get out in the streets to celebrate,” he said. “We managed to do that against Russia and that’s what we will try to do again this Friday.” Greek defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos, who knows all about the German team as he plies his trade with Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga, said there may be a little fear in Loew’s relatively inexperienced side, the youngest at Euro 2012. “I believe that (Germany) won’t take us lightly,” said the 20-year-old. “Maybe in a corner of their minds, they are a little bit scared, because we have nothing to lose now.” With midfielder Giorgos Karagounis suspended, Greece coach Fernando Santos must do without his captain, who Loew has described as the “engine” of the Greek team, after Karagounis’ goal sealed the win over Russia. Denmark caused Germany a few problems before losing 2-1 on Sunday and Loew has said he wants to see his team plug holes in their midfield and create more chances up front. Defender Holger Badstuber has said the worst thing Germany can do is start dreaming of the semi-final in Warsaw against England or Italy, who meet in the Kiev quarter-final on Sunday. “We have every reason to be self-confident against Greece, but they will be tough to play against and will try and hit us on the counter,” said the Bayern Munich defender. “It would be a primary error for us to go into that game thinking we have already won, that would be a major mistake. “They aren’t seen as one of the game’s powerhouses, but have already beaten one of the favourites Russia.” The Greece team are set to wear black armbands in memory of Alketas “Alkis” Panagoulias, who led them to the World Cup finals in 1994 and coached the USA from 1983-85, who died on Monday aged 78. His funeral takes place on Friday.