Greece hopes to make it three straight wins
SARAJEVO/ZENICA (Combined reports) – Greece, the defending European champion, will be looking to make it three straight wins tonight in Bosnia following Group C victories over Moldova, away, and Norway at home, both with a 1-0 score. «It would be nice to win, but the important thing is that we don’t lose to Bosnia,» said midfielder Giorgos Karagounis. Bosnia, a group underdog, will be trying to win for the second time in four matches following victory against Malta, a loss to Hungary and a draw with Moldova. Greece, Norway and Turkey lead Group C with six points. Bosnia is fourth, two points behind. «One point is not enough and we would lose all chance in the case of a negative result,» Bosnia coach Blaz Sliskovic said yesterday. «I expect a very tough game but I believe that we have enough strength, capability, and desire to come out with a positive result,» added Sliskovic. He had quit after a 3-1 home defeat by Hungary but reversed his decision. Bosnia conceded two early goals against Moldova last Saturday but came back in the second half to grab a point. Tonight’s match will be Greece captain Thodoris Zagorakis’s last with the national team. Zagorakis, who turns 35 later this month, led Greece to its unexpected Euro 2004 title in Portugal. Tonight’s match will mark his 119th international appearance. «My time with the national team is over. I thank God for everything I have experienced with the team,» Zagorakis said before flying to Bosnia. «There are things you want to give, but at some point you realize you can’t anymore.» Zagorakis, who has played for Leicester City and Bologna, returned to Greece last year to rejoin PAOK. He made his international debut against the Faeroe Islands in 1994. Greece will be without injured defender Yiannis Goumas tonight. Bosnia will miss suspended captain Sergei Barbarez, while striker Zvjezdan Misimovic is considered doubtful. (AP/Reuters)
