Greece squad penpix ahead of the European Championship semi-final against the Czech Republic on Thursday:
GOALKEEPER:
1-Antonis Nikopolidis (Panathinaikos) Born: 14.10.71 Caps: 47; Goals: 0. Coach Otto Rehhagel's first choice keeper has been one of his most consistent players throughout the tournament, particularly in the 1-1 draw against Spain when he made a number of vital saves. Nikopolidis kept a clean sheet for a record 540 minutes in the last six Euro 2004 qualifying matches.
DEFENDERS:
2-Yourkas Seitaridis (Panathinaikos) Born: 04.06.81, Caps: 22; Goals: 0 The second youngest member of the squad has had an outstanding tournament. The right back, due to join Champions League winners Porto next month, won Greece's crucial penalty for their second goal in the 2-1 win over hosts Portugal.
19-Michalis Kapsis (AEK Athens) Born: 18.10.73. Caps: 13; Goals: 0. The strong central defender has formed a formidable partnership with Traianos Dellas but he was responsible for conceding a goal against Spain when he failed to close down Fernando Morientes.
14-Takis Fyssas (Benfica) Born: 12.06.73 Caps: 35; Goals: 4. Fyssas has brought pace and control to the left flank and was instrumental in keeping the Portuguese wingers pinned to the sidelines during Greece's 2-1 win. Like Seitaridis on the opposite flank, Fyssas often instigates counter-attacks.
5-Traianos Dellas (AS Roma) Born: 31.01.76 Caps: 21; Goals: 0. Rehhagel has called Dellas the "pillar in my defence" and the tall central defender has done everything to live up to that name. He played a near-perfect match against Portugal and shut out Spain strikers Raul and Fernando Morientes for much of the 1-1 draw against Spain. A minor back injury is not expected to rule him out of the semi-final.
MIDFIELDERS:
21-Costas Katsouranis (AEK Athens) Born: 21.06.79 Caps: 10; Goals: 0. One of the Greek surprises of the tournament after playing a key role against Spain. Has also deputised for Giorgos Karagounis, who was suspended, and the injured Stelios Giannakopoulos.
6-Angelos Basinas (Panathinaikos) Born: 03.01.76 Caps: 46; Goals: 3. Basinas, who converted a penalty against Portugal, has played a more defensive role than he is used to but has created space in a tight midfield. Helped stifle the much-vaunted French midfield in the quarter-final.
20-Giorgos Karagounis (Inter Milan) Born: 06.03.77 Caps: 33; Goals: 4. A midfield workhorse, Karagounis has shone in Portugal after a frustrating first season with Inter Milan. His surging run and firm shot against the hosts gave Greece an early lead. His control and strength were badly missed in the 2-1 defeat by Russia.
8-Stelios Giannakopoulos (Bolton Wanderers) Born: 12.07.74 Caps: 40; Goals: 7. The lively winger had a memorable opening match against Portugal but limped off injured against Spain. Has missed two games, including the quarter-final, but is expected to return for the next game.
7-Theodoros Zagorakis (AEK Athens) Born: 27.10.71 Caps: 93; Goals: 0. The Greek captain was man of the match in the opener against Portugal and has led his team by example. A tireless worker in midfield, Zagorakis provided the inch-perfect cross for Angelos Charisteas to head the winner against France.
10-Vassilis Tsartas (AEK Athens) Born: 12.11.72 Caps: 62; Goals: 11. The experienced, elegant left-footer can destroy defences with his pin-point passing as he did against Spain when his cross set up Charisteas for the equaliser. But with plenty of talent in midfield, Tsartas has struggled to keep his starting place.
FORWARDS:
15-Zisis Vryzas (Fiorentina) Born: 09.11.73 Caps: 49; Goals: 8. Vryzas has been Otto Rehhagel's most dependable striker in the tournament. Playing on the left he has formed a strong partnership with Charisteas. Vryzas scored Greece's goal in the 2-1 defeat by Russia which sent them into the last eight. He is expected to start after missing the quarter-final through suspension.
11-Demis Nikolaidis (Atletico Madrid) Born: 17.09.73 Caps: 54; Goals: 17. Nikolaidis has failed to live up to expectations. Once the team's most feared striker he has not found the net or tied down a place in the starting lineup during the tournament.
9-Angelos Charisteas (Werder Bremen) Born: 09.02.80 Caps: 26, Goals: 10. The talented young striker has scored two goals in the tournament. His perfect header against France sealed the biggest upset in European Championship history and he is likely to partner Vryzas in the semi-final.
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