HEADLINES The German and Greek press have been “at war” for nearly a week. Following Greece’s qualifying win against Russia on Saturday, Athens-based Sports Day’s front page was a message to Germany. “Angela, get ready! Did you see how your debtors qualified?”....“Give us Merkel,” headlined Greek soccer outlet Goal News. And the very confident Adesmeftos Typos added: “Greek football is better than Greek politics. It will kick Germany out of the Euro.”
German tabloid Bild wrote, “Be happy Greeks, the defeat on Friday is a gift. Against Jogi Loew, no rescue fund will help you.” The Berliner Kurier, had a mockup picture of the Greek team wearing Germany jerseys with this caption: “Grateful Greeks show their new sponsors for the quarter-finals.”
LOADED NAMES On Tuesday, Greece’s striker said: “We can’t mix soccer and politics.” His name: Giorgos Samaras, as in Antonis Samaras, Greece’s new Prime Minister, but they are not related.
COACHES PLAY POLITICS Players and coaches have rejected any influence of politics on the game, but no one did it quite like Joachim Loew. Watch his comment here.
CHANCE-LLOR Angela Merkel, who is considered a lucky charm for the Mannschaft, will be in attendance in Gdansk, Poland. And yes...she will definitely see a country leave the Euro.
LINKS Germans and Greeks may dislike each other these days but their teams have strong ties. Greece’s previous coach was German star Otto Reaghel. Eight Greek players have played in Germany, Jose Holebas was born there and Kostas Mitroglou was raised there.
DON'T FORGET WHO WON LAST In 2004, Greece won the Euro, something powerhouse Germany hasn't done since 1996.
HISTORY And because Germany-Greece is a good reason to watch this from Monty Python...!
