Greece confirmed my suspicion that they are one of the poorest sides on show in South Africa with an abject display in an opening defeat to South Korea and are opposed with confidence against a Nigeria side that should be too good for the Euro 2004 winners.
In being beaten 2-0 on Saturday, strikes from Park Ji-Sung and Lee Jung-soo proving enough for South Korea, Greece extended their winless run to six matches and I don’t see them being able to repel a spirited Nigeria side that were a shade unlucky to be beaten by Argentina in their opening clash.
Having both been on the wrong end of results in their first matches this is a must-win for Greece and Nigeria if they are to harbour any further realistic hopes of making the knockout stages but while the Africans may have snatched a draw late on versus Maradona’s men Otto Rehhagel’s side were simply awful.
Having squeezed through European qualifying at the expense of Ukraine in the playoffs, this is surely now the end for a generation of Greek footballers who’s best days are well and truly behind them and I expect the likes of Obafemi Martins and Yakubu to cause them problems.
Greece could not cope with the pace and movement of a lively South Korean attacking unit and, with Nigeria anticipated to offer a similar threat, the 1.95 with William Hill about the Super Eagles notching three points will do for me.
While it is true that there can often be an overreaction to one result at major finals, I saw nothing from Greece to suggest they can compete with the best in South Africa and now expect them to limp home well beaten in all three matches.
Theofanis Gekas, so prolific in qualification, looked well out of his depth against a resolute South Korean back four and with Nigeria boasting an impressive defensive record of late I don’t expect him, or any of team-mates, to have much joy in Durban.
Still without a goal to their name in World Cup finals, Greece have plenty to prove and the safe bet is that Nigeria resume winnings ways to haul themselves back in contention for a place in the last 16 and the selection is a strong one.
2pts Back Nigeria (vs. Greece) @ 1.95 (William Hill)