Out of Africa... with heads held high

For 77 minutes Greece battened down the hatches and held their own against Diego Maradona's men. They were of course indebted to Alexandros Tzorvas, who made some impressive saves, as well as the woodwork, but Giorgos Samaras could have also given his team a shock three minutes after half-time if his aim had been true when he wriggled free of his markers and found himself one-on-one with La Albiceleste goalkeeper Sergio Romero.

Greece lost captain Giorgos Karagounis to injury at half-time, while Kostas Katsouranis and Vasilis Torosidis also both succumbed to injury 10 minutes into the second half. No disrespect to the men who came in to replace them, but Rehhagel's team lost three of their marquee players which in the end proved too much against the pressure exerted by Maradona's team.

At least the Greeks can return home with a slice of pride, as echoed by Tzorvas and Hellenic Football Federation president Sofoklis Pilavios.

"We have made a huge effort. When you are up against such powerful opponents who play at such a level the only thing you can do is to play good defensively and hope to hit them with a counter-attack," commented Tzorvas, who was beaten to the man of the match award only by Lionel Messi. "Argentina are the best team in the world at the moment, for sure they will reach a higher level and can win the trophy.

"But we leave here with our heads held high. Those who judged us quickly should need to learn that before you crucify someone you have to wait before putting the nails in."

Pilavios was less daming in his assessment of Greece's detractors. "The impressions generated by our participation are positive," said the EPO strongman. "Certainly we could have achieved something more, but we return to Greece with our heads held high."

Pilavios revealed that Sepp Blatter approached him after the final whistle saying that Greece had waited too long to start attacking - food for thought indeed for the men in suits at EPO as they look to begin a new era most likely without Otto Rehhagel.

Source:www.sportingreece.com