There are no bailouts for soccer mismanagement

Sunday morning Greek Prime Minister George Papandreau said his country is a proud one determined to set things right.

He was referring to the 750 billion euro bailout package that his country was loaned to keep its financial system going earlier this month. As important as that may be, this is a blog dedicated to the upcoming World Cup.

If the Greeks are to recall some of their pride, it may begin June 12 when they play Nigeria. The surprise winners of Euro 2004, who are currently 12th in the FIFA World Rankings, will have their work cut out for them in Group B if they are to advance to the Round of 16.

Greece, Nigeria and South Korea will all likely look up to Argentina and their gold mine of attacking options in the group stages. Interestingly in their only other World Cup appearance Greece was paired with Nigeria and Argentina, losing those contests 2-0 and 4-0 respectively.

The Greeks may have the advantage in playing Argentina last, which by then Diego Maradona’s team may have sewn up qualification.

Papandreau made international news with his comments about American banks betting against the Greek government and the country’s desire to rein spending, while also raising taxes. In reference to taking the country’s gross domestic product from -13% to 3% internationally respected journalist Fareed Zakaria asked Papandreau “can it be done.”

That question will be answered in time. However, the same question can be posed to Otto Rehhagel’s team which has size and four people from that 2004 team on the provisional roster.

My impression of the Greeks has been a team that will dull the pace of the game and are opportunistic scorers, to say it kindly. Rather than getting run out the park with obscene scorelines — as was the case at World Cup 94 — they will plod along in search of capitalizing on a mistake.

With the collection of talented and organized teams in Group B that philosophy may not be feasible.

Nigeria is African’s version of the Spanish. The Super Eagles always have enough talent to tantalize people into thinking they will advance, but usually fall beneath the bar that a team of such quality should achieve.

The South Koreans, from my knowledge of them, are a defensively sound team that will fight and fight for an opening. Once the South Koreans see a lead, they almost never relinquish it. In the four matches South Korea has won in the FIFA World Cup, they have never lost the lead.

As for Argentina, well they are one of the tournament favorites. Even with a coach who was a genius on the field and the antithesis of it in the manager’s box.

This is only the second World Cup Greece has qualified for, but the expectations are much higher from the 1994 team that failed to score a goal when the tournament was held in the United States. Unlike the country’s financial system there will not be a bailout package waiting this team should they fail.