Four days after being held to a 1-1 draw in Tel-Aviv, Greece hosts Israel in the second half a double-date when both sides rekindle their challenge for top spot on Wednesday.

The Greeks’ hopes of qualifying for just their second World Cup Finals are still intact, but Saturday night’s draw with Group 2 rivals Israel took its toll on their lead at the group’s summit – which now flimsily stands on goal differential over Switzerland.

Israel, meanwhile, are still one point back of the joint group leaders with nine points to their name; but a win in Greece on Wednesday would be a big boost for Dror Kashtan’s men, whose captain, Yossi Benayoun, faces another race to fitness.

Cretan Cruise

The game might not be a cruise in the Cyclades, but Greece will be hoping the island-like surroundings of the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion allow Otto Rehhagel’s men to set sail in Crete.

The last time the former European Champions hosted opposition on the southernmost Greek island was during qualification for last summer’s European Championships. A sturdy Greece stood tall against Hungary and Moldova; paving the way to top spot in the group.

If their place atop the group standings this term is to hold firm for yet another matchday, a full three points will be required of the Galanoleuki. While the feat may be strenuous, Saturday’s performance showed Greece has the right tonic to collect maximum points on Wednesday.

The only flaw, however, was several miscommunications in a potent attack that has long-expired its boiling point.

Shine like a “Sahar”

The road to South Africa from an Israeli standpoint is highlighted by Jewish history, as Israel look to return to the promise land after a forty-year wait. Their desired destination doesn’t require a refresher in history, but they’ll have to improve on their performance from the weekend.

Their hopes traditionally stemmed through Benayoun, but another Israeli prodigy has made his way into the limelight. Ben Sahar showed scintillating skill on the weekend, as his pace and ability left the Greek defense flat-footed on many occasions.

On the contrary, their home record doesn’t hold much to be admired; so a trip to Greece, with the dire need to grab full points a priority, could revitalize Israel.

The crowd on hand at the Ramat Gan Stadium jeered their squad during the interval; a reaction not forgotten by the Israel squad. An equally pressured atmosphere, this time with the Greeks under the microscope, could allow Israel to recapture their zest and squeak ahead of their hosts.

FORM GUIDE

Israel

Oct 11.    Luxembourg 1-3 Israel    (World Cup Qualifier)
Oct 15.    Latvia 1-1 Israel    (World Cup Qualifier)
Nov 19.   Israel 2-2 Ivory Coast   (Friendly)
Feb 11.    Israel 1-0 Hungary    (Friendly)
Mar 28.   Israel 1 -1 Greece      (World Cup Qualifier)

Greece

Oct 11.    Greece 3 – 0 Moldova    (World Cup Qualifier)
Oct 15.    Greece 1 – 2 Switzerland    (World Cup Qualifier)
Nov 19.    Greece 1 – 1 Italy    (Friendly)
Feb 11.    Greece 1 – 1 Denmark    (Friendly)
Mar 28.   Israel 1 -1 Greece      (World Cup Qualifier)

TEAM NEWS

Israel

Pre-match news continues to revolve around the health of Benayoun, but the Liverpool midfielder could again upset his English employers and suit up for his country. Gal Alberman, however, did not travel with the team to Greece and will not take part in the crucial match in Crete.

Probable Starting XI: Dudu Aouate – Klemi Saban, Tal Ben Haim, Dekel Keinan, Dedi Ben Dayan – Ben Sahar, Gil Vermuth, Tamir Cohen, Yossi Benayoun – Omer Golan, Elyaniv Barda.

Greece

Greece’s bill of health continues to sparkle, but precautions have overtaken the fitness of inspirational midfielder Giorgos Karagounis. The Panathinaikos midfielder followed an individual training session on Tuesday, but should be ready for Wednesday night.

Probable Starting XI: Kostas Chalkias – Vasilis Torosidis, Avraam Papadopoulos, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Giourkas Seitaridis – Angelos Basinas, Kostas Katsouranis, Giorgos Karagounis – Theofanis Gekas, Angelos Charisteas, Giorgos Samaras.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Israel

Ben Sahar’s brilliance makes him a spectacle to monitor, as the Chelsea prospect frustrated the Greek defense in Tel-Aviv. The 19-year-old, however, has the ability to make the players around shine. The Greek back-line might be more familiar with what they’re dealing with now, but a dynamic Sahar will likely fight through.

Greece

Theofanis Gekas rose to the occasion on Saturday, while Angelos Charisteas was left perplexed by his lack of effiecency in front of goal. Expect the latter to redeem himself as Greece’s golden boy as the man charged with winning the European Championships for Greece back in 2004 aims to set the record straight in Crete.

PREDICTION

Pressure now lies on the shoulders of Greece as their grip on top spot has been breached, and it will be challenged yet again on Wednesday. Expect Otto Rehhagel’s side to answer their critics with a similar performance from Saturday, but the home crowd should instil more confidence in the Greeks.

Greece 2-0 Israel

Peter Katsiris

Under their Greeks Abroad page, I found an article with an excellent overview of Peter Storrie’s recent remarks after the director of the Greek National Team, Takis Fyssas, made a phone call to the director of Portsmouth, Paul Storrie.

Now it’s never a good thing when a player goes public about the on-goings inside a particular football institution, or any sport for that matter. Nevertheless, Theofanis Gekas did just that in the wake of his frustration over the lack of playing time for the Greece international. And he is absolutely right, and don’t think I am just defending my compatriot who is arguably the best striker on the Greek National Team at the moment.

While I was proud of Gekas, the rest of Portsmouth was likely pissed off; including the big cheese himself. We’re not talking Feta Cheese here, but in fact it was Feta Cheese, Fyssas, who apparently made the situation worse when he contacted the big cheese, Storrie.

In an interview with the English press, Storrie was clearly upset that Athens was calling about the lack of playing time on Gekas’ plate. The interview isn’t graphic but it does reveal a bit of anger in the Englishman who is irate at the fact the Greek National Team has the nerve to ring up the English minnows.

‘At the end of the day it is the manager’s choice which player should play.

‘To get the Greek national manager ringing me up and telling me who I should play and who I shouldn’t play I think is absolutely outrageous.

‘You know, you deal with your damn Greek side, don’t start telling us who we should play at Portsmouth Football Club.

‘If I get another call from the Greek damn national manager, he’s going to get a real kick from us because at the end of the day Paul didn’t pick this player to come to the club, Tony (Adams) did.

‘Personally, I back what Paul is doing 150 per cent.’

So as a stubborn Storrie, and an even more bullish Paul Hart continue Gekas’ bench-side misery, there appears to be no end for Gekas’ stint on the sidelines. Furthermore, the Greek contingent on the sidelines has increased to two players in recent weeks with the benching of Angelos Basinas for the past few matches.

So will Gekas ever make an appearance for Portsmouth, let alone a start? Only time will tell, but how sweet would it be if both Gekas and Basinas gave five-star performances in the approaching week when Greece tackles Israel in World Cup Qualifying? I pray they make Storrie, and Hart, eat their words.

Winless in their last two matches, Greece will attempt to start 2009 on the right track in what is expected to be the National Team’s last match in Piraeus for quite some time. Meanwhile, Denmark is also dreaming of a berth in next year’s World Cup, but the road to South Africa has only just begun.

Final Auditions
The Greeks were bitterly beaten by Switzerland back in October, as Blaise N’Kufo’s late strike gave the travelling Swiss a memorable win outside the Greek capital; immediately ending Greece’s perfect start to qualification for next year’s World Cup.

A month later a stiffer test came calling as World Champions Italy sailed across the Adriatic Sea to meet Greece in an international friendly at Karaiskaki. Theofanis Gekas put the Greeks on pace for a rare win against the Italians, until Bayern Munich’s Luca Toni equalized moments later to secure a draw for the ‘Azzurri’.

With victory eluding Rehhagel’s men for two consecutive games now, the ‘Ethniki’ is hoping for a celebratory start to the New Year. A back-to-back series of qualifiers with Israel looms in the horizon for Greece, and this particular meeting with the Danes is a critical check-up for the hosts.

Usually known for his experimental attitude during most international friendlies, Rehhagel has realized the importance of experience as Greece’s roster boasts more familiar faces than usual.

The German tactician chose not to call-up Panathinaikos starlet Sotiris Ninis, or Ergotelis’ midfield sensation Vasilis Koutsianikoulis, but did give Bologna’s Vaggelis Moras his first international shout.

With the microscope on the ‘Galanoleuki’ magnifying immensely game-after-game, there is plenty of pressure on Greece to secure what would be a momentum-boosting win on Wednesday evening.

Different Strokes
Shocking many by leading their qualifying group, which includes Portugal and Sweden, Denmark also views their Greek excursion as a critical encounter.

With a meeting with Malta, and then Albania in store for the Danes in about a month’s time, there is urgency in the need to return to form after a long pause on international football.

Despite an undefeated start to their qualifying campaign, Denmark couldn’t solve Wales when the pair met for an international friendly in Copenhagen back in November. The Danes will aim for a victory in Piraeus, but a another stiff match between these rising European associations is likely to be the story line.

While his touchline counterpart decided to rely on an older, more mature, contingent of players, Morten Olsen has handed out a rare international opportunity for several young talents.

Simon Kjaer appears to be the notable inclusion, as the 19-year-old joins a contingent of young blood seeking its first international cap.

While a youthful energy is installed into Denmark’s roster, leadership may be lacking as veteran center back Martin Laursen announced his retirement from international football ahead of the friendly. Alongside the Aston Villa defender, former Real Madrid and Celtic midfielder Thomas Gravesen also hung up his international boots as he discontinued his Denmark career.

Vaccinated Rosters
The injury bug usually creates a problem for Greece, but the only notable absentee through injury is striker Ioannis Amanatidis. The Eintracht Frankfurt striker has been out of service for club and country since October, and a return continues to elude one of the National Team’s regulars.

Laursen’s retirement appears to be the only change in Denmark’s squad as familiar faces, excluding Kjaer and Jakub Poulsen, have returned for ‘Olsen Banden’.

Levelling Old Scores
The last time these two sides met was back in 2005, and Denmark claimed to spoils with a 1-0 win in Copennghagen. That loss, combined with a shock defeat to Ukraine, saw then European Champions Greece miss out on the World Cup Finals in Germany. Denmark eventually received the same fate, as two of the early favourites finished behind group-winners Ukraine, and runners-up Turkey.

Although Denmark has been able to beat Greece in the comfort of Copenhagen, they lost during their last trip to the port city of Piraeus.

With an array of talent ready-to-go for both sides, Greece and Denmark will be seeking a win in front of a sparse Athenian crowd. The low attendance could be a disappointment for the hosts, but they will be keen to attract followers of the future with a strong performance

Greece (Otto Rehhagel):
Goalkeepers: Konstantinos Chalkias (PAOK), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos).

Defenders: Traianos Dellas (Anorthosis Famagusta), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Loukas Vyntra (Panathinaikos), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiacos), Vasilis Torosidis (Olympiacos), Nikos Spyropoulos (Panathinaikos), Giourkas Seitaridis (Atletico Madrid), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (AEK Athens), Vangelis Moras (Bologna)

Midfielders: Kostas Katsouranis (Benfica), Alexandros Tziolis (Werder Bremen), Christos Patsatzoglou (Olympiacos), Angelos Basinas (Portsmouth), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos).

Strikers: Theofanis Gekas (Portsmouth), Nikos Lyberopoulos (Eintracht Frankfurt), Dimitrios Salpigidis (Panathinaikos), Angelos Charisteas (Bayer Leverkusen), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic).

Denmark (Morten Olsen):
Goalkeepers: Jesper Christiansen (FC Copenhagen), Thomas Sorensen (Stoke), Stephan Andersen (Brondby).

Defenders: Chris Sorensen (Odense), Daniel Agger (Liverpool), Jakob Poulsen (Aarhus), Lars Jacobsen (Everton), Per Kroldrup (Fiorentina), Simon Kjaer (Palermo).

Midfielders: Christian Poulsen (Juventus), Daniel Jensen (Werder Bremen), Jonas Borring (FC Midtjylland), Leon Andreasen (Hannover), Martin Vingaard (FC Copenhagen), Thomas Kristensen (FC Copenhagen), Dennis Rommedahl (NEC Nijmegen).

Forwards: Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal), Soren Larsen (Toulouse).

Disappointed that his side walked away empty handed, Adams was clear to point out Basinas was successful as an individual on his debut. “It’s a hard fact swallow that we didn’t get anything from this game,” said Adams.

“We made mistakes, but on the positive side there were many good performances [from our players]. Basinas made a good debut [for the club].”

Compatriot Theofanis Gekas didn’t make his debut at Fratton Park on Saturday, but is expected to play a role, along with Basinas, in Greece’s international friendly with Denmark on Wednesday.

Playing at the LTU Arena due to renovations at traditional venue BayArena, Leverkusen failed to grab a boost in its bid to reach the Champions League next term.

With his side already trailing 4-1 by the final moments of the match, Charisteas pounced on a centering pass from striking partner Stefan Kiessling to deposit a consulate goal for a deflated Leverkusen.

Charisteas is expected to make an appearance for Greece on Wednesday, as Denmark pays a visit to Athens for an all-European International friendly at the OAKA Spyros Louis Stadium.

Speaking to Pompey TV, Metgod was more than optimistic about Pompey’s winter signings, and claimed strongly that the Greek pair would do marvels for their new club.

“The signings we did were good,” he told Pompey TV.

“Gekas has got a very good goalscoring record, not only in Greece but in Germany, where he played for Bochum first and then Leverkusen.

“And I think Basinas is a very clever, intelligent midfield player. He has a lot of experience and is a good passer of the ball. I think he has good vision.”

With a  tough match against title chasers Liverpool this weekend, Fratton Park will be hoping Pompey can begin the healing process. The club’s official website has confirmed Basinas will start the match for the home side, while Gekas will do likewise on the bench.

“They will both be assets to the group and to the squad. Hopefully they can produce, starting straight away against Liverpool,” he continued.

It’s is expected to be a long battle for Portsmouth, after several high-quality stars left Fratton Park for greener pastures in England and abroad; including Lassana Diarra, who joined Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Jermaine Defoe left the club to return to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, after the England international claimed his stay with the Hampshire club featured death threats.

“I think even though it is Liverpool for their first game, they must always play to get three points. I am absolutely sure we have got to be motivated – in this situation you must go for the win.”

A very experienced core of players continue to hold their spots with the ‘Ethniki’, including Angelos Basinas who has since left AEK Athens to join English side Portsmouth FC.

Fellow midfielder Giorgos Karagounis joins the former AEK midfielder, as does Olympiacos midfielder Christos Patsatzoglou.

Evangelos Mantzios has missed out on call-up after returning to the squad against Italy. His Panathinaikos teammate, however, Dimitrios Salpigidis, has been named as the lone domestic striker.

In defense there isn’t much change to a regular back line presented by the Greeks, as Vasilis Torosidis leads a charge of domestic defenders which also include Sotiris Kyrgiakos and Nikos Spyropoulos.

Kostas Chalkias remains on the list of goalkeepers selected by Rehhagel, but the PAOK shot stopper is joined by Super League rival Alexandros Tzorvas. The Panathinaikos ‘keeper impressed in a 1-1 draw with Adriatic rivals Italy, and could potentially start against the Danes next Wednesday.

The German bench boss has passed on the likes of Greek youngsters Sotiris Ninis and Vasilis Koutsianikoulis, even though the pair were called up for a friendly with Italy back in November.

This will be Greece’s final test before meeting Group B rivals Israel for a back-to-back meeting with the second placed side in Group B.

Greece (Otto Rehhagel):

Goalkeepers — Konstantinos Chalkias (PAOK), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos).

Defenders: Traianos Dellas (Anorthosis Famagusta), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Loukas Vyntra (Panathinaikos), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiacos), Vasilis Torosidis (Olympiacos), Nikos Spyropoulos (Panathinaikos), Giourkas Seitaridis (Atletico Madrid), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (AEK Athens), Vangelis Moras (Bologna)

Midfielders: Kostas Katsouranis (Benfica), Alexandros Tziolis (Werder Bremen), Christos Patsatzoglou (Olympiacos), Angelos Basinas (Portsmouth), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos).

Strikers: Theofanis Gekas (Portsmouth), Nikos Lyberopoulos (Eintracht Frankfurt), Dimitrios Salpigidis (Panathinaikos), Angelos Charisteas (Bayer Leverkusen), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic).

No press release has been posted on Werder Bremen’s website as of yet, but the Greek press says the deal has already been signed.

According to Greek sports site SPORT24.GR, the former Olympiacos man has signed a 3.5 year contract with Werder Bremen’s youth outfit, Werder Bremen B.

Matsoukas worked his way up through the amateur ranks at Olympiacos, and signed a professional contract during July 2007. His time with the Greek Champions was limited, as six months after he signed on at ‘O Thrylos’, he was loaned out to now Beta Ethniki side Egaleo.

He returned to Piraeus six months later, but within thirty days he was loaned out again; this time to second-tier outfit Ethnikos Asteras.

His loan was terminated this earlier month; with many expecting Matsoukas to return to the club after Darko Kovacevic was forced into early retirement due to hear surgery.

To the surprise of many, Matsoukas was released by the club after manager Ernesto Valverde alerted management that the youthful Greek was not part of the Spaniard’s plans.

A fresh start in Germany could be the right tonic for Matsoukas to grow into a star striker; however, the Greek starlet will likely face great competition within the Bremen ranks.

Plying his trade in the second tier of German football since the start of the current season, Charisteas was rumoured to be on his way out of Nuremberg since the start of last summer’s transfer period. Staying put, however, Charisteas remained a great asset for the former Bundesliga club up ‘til their agreement with Leverkusen on Monday.

The move is reportedly not compatible with a permanent stay at season’s end; with Nuremberg still in seek of returning to the German top flight.

Arriving as a direct replacement for the departed Gekas, it seems Charisteas will be part of a secondary striker unit. While he will likely be starting most matches on the bench, the experience Charisteas has accredited to his name is rather remarkable.

Winning the Bundesliga crown with Werder Bremen in 2005, Charisteas has the experience and talent to propel Leverkusen to the UEFA Champions League next season.

Known for his aerial abilities, Charisteas’ strength in the air makes him a lethal finisher on crosses and set-pieces, most notably through his performance at the EURO 2004 tournament in Portugal.

Signing on at Fratton Park for the next eighteen months, the move is rumoured to be a free transfer, but not all details have been revealed by either side.

A press release on AEK’s official website hints that the move is of the free nature; “AEK FC announces the termination of its co-operation with Angelos Basinas. The administration of AEK would like to thank the player for his efforts, and wish him success in the future.”

As AEK’s woes continue, and somewhat worsen after Giorgos Kintis stepped down as AEK president, Basinas appears to be exiting the capital club at just the right time. However, his departure was not swift enough for the EURO 2004 winner to excuse himself from hostile criticism originating from AEK’s most loyal supporters – mainly supporters club Original 21.

Meanwhile, in England, Basinas has been praised a big signing for Portsmouth, and the club’s chairman Peter Storrie was very excited about the move.

“We’ve brought in someone of immense experience, the current captain of Greece who is just three games away from winning his 100th cap for his country,” Storrie told http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk.

“He’s exactly what we need in the situation that we’re in. He’s a player that Tony was eager to bring to Pompey.

“He desperately wanted to come here and we have an option to sign him for a further year on top of the 18 months.”

His full decade spell with Panathinaikos refers to an in-prime Basinas, but it wasn’t until the EURO 2004 finals that Basinas stamped his name on international football. Scoring on a penalty against Portugal in the tournament’s opening game; Basinas then went on to assist on Greece’s tournament-winning goal against the same Portuguese side in the tournament’s climax.

A year and half after helping Greece claim top spot in Lisbon, Basinas moved to Spanish side RCD Mallorca during the January transfer window of 2006. Immediately making an impact, Basinas was a crucial part of Mallorca’s survival in the Spanish top flight.

The following season Mallorca rose from the near extremes of the drop zone to finish seventh in the La Liga standings, and only one point from qualifying for European competition. While he contributed in Mallorca’s uprising, which was ultimately pioneered by Spain international Danny Guiza, Basinas was released by the island club in July.

Returning to Greece this summer, AEK signed the Greek midfielder to a two-year contract. That paperwork has since been terminated, and it is reported the Super League giants have saved a whopping € 1.9 million on salary by offloading Basinas.