Specifically, I hope King Otto inserts Sotiris Ninis, the young and speedy Panathinaikos player and Liverpool's Sotiris Kyrgiakos, neither of whom got off the bench versus South Korea, into the starting lineup. Greece could really use Ninis' energy and creativity and Kyrgiakos' presence (anyone is better than Louis Vyntra who really stunk versus Korea). Finally, Rangers's Antonis Samaras needs to play as energetically as Fanis Gekas did. Those two, along with Ninis, need to pace the Hellenic offense against Nigeria.
And we desperately need offense. In four World Cup games Greece has yet to score, let alone lead or sniff a win. But it's still doable. Nigeria is no big deal, played a lackluster game versus Argentina, and are without their leading scorer.
But the real Greek key is if Ellas fights rather than display the annoying fatalism that has held us back, at least in Europe but not in the United States, since the fourth Crusade of 1204. Seven minutes into the game versus South Korea the fatalism took hold, and the game was over despite 83 minutes being left on the clock. I think Ninis and Kyrgiakos can help hold the fatalism at bay, at least long enough to pick up 3 points.
Greece has to win versus Africa's largest country if they hope to even think about advancing out of their group. Best case for Ellas is to defeat Nigeria and somehow tie Argentina next week, and finish with four points. Even then, Greece needs lots of help to advance. Korea has to lose to both Nigeria and Argentina. If that happens Argentina will finish with 7 points (2 wins and a tie versus Greece), Greece with 4, Korea with 3, and Nigeria with 3 (their win over Korea).
Of course, if Greece manages to defeat Nigeria AND upsets Argentina they should be home free with six points. Looking at that scenario leads me to one logical conclusion: GO USA!
- If our goalkeeper, Tim Howard, is healthy I like the US's chances to make a deep run in the World Cup. A hot goalie can take a team a long way.
- A couple of Slovenian players have been talking a little smack prior to the game versus the U.S. Note to Slovenians: I know we don't care about soccer, but invent rock and roll, jazz, baseball and basketball; have a Bill of Rights like ours; and develop TV shows like The Simpsons and Seinfeld before talking smack to the United States.
Speaking of the United States, the baseball team representing our nation's capital seems to have hit a wall. Prior to Straburg's call up, starting pitching was a strength of the Nationals. But Lannan, Livo, and Atilano are in a collective funk, and J.D. Martin has not make anyone forget Scott Olson (how damning is that?). The only good news is that after leaving Detroit the Nats host the White Sox and Royals, so a 6-game winning streak, potentially kicked off by Strasburg on Friday night, could be around the corner.
In addition to improved starting pitching I'd feel better about the Nats if Manager Jim Riggleman dropped Guzman and Morgan down in the order (to seventh and eighth, respectively). Neither get on base enough - a real problem when you consider that Zimmerman, Dunn and Willingham have great on-base-plus-slugging numbers in the 3, 4 and 5 spots on the order.
I say give Desmond and Bernardina a chance at the top of the order.
4 comments:
The future belongs to those that hunger for victory. Greece is not hungry for anything.
Nigeria's goalie was a wall against Argentina, turning away shot after world class shot from Messi in the loss. Had his teammates marked their assignments correctly on that corner kick, he would have ended that game with a well deserved clean sheet. It's going to be tough getting 3 pts. from him.
Good luck tomorrow.
That's not true: Greece is hungry for investment!
According to Greek TV most of our supporters in South Africa are local Greek-South Africans or Greek-Australians who made the trip. Not that many Greek Greeks made it down apparently.
Post a Comment