Weeks ago, Fernando Santos, Greece’s coach, announced his provisional 30 players squad for the upcoming World Cup in Brazil. The Portuguese manager made some expected choices, and some that were rather more unconventional.
For instance, Santos included Fulham’s striker Konstantinos Mitroglou, despite the Greek having played only 120 minutes during the 2013/14 season. Mitroglou’s teammate, Giorgos Karagounis, was also included, although Fulham got relegated.
Mitroglou will team-up with Samaras for a deadly offensive duo
Giorgios Samaras made the list as well, which is not as surprising. The Greek striker will leave Celtic this summer and offers for him may soar, depending on his performance during the World Cup.
Celtic failed to renew Samaras' contract, forcing him to leave
Unsurprisingly, Borussia Dortmund’s centre-back, Sokratis, was named in Santos’ list. The defender had a good season in Germany and will surely impress during the Brazilian World Cup.
Dortmund's Sokratis is expected to lead Greece defensively during the 2014 World Cup
Greece will face the Ivory Coast, Japan, and Colombia in the group-stages
Greece's provisional squad
Goalkeepers: Alexandros Tzorvas, Michalis Sifakis, Orestis Karnezis, Panaglotis Glykos, Stefanos Kapino.
Defenders: Avraam Papadopoulos, Dimitris Siovas, Kostas Manolas, Giannis Maniatis, Jose Holebas, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Giorgios Tzavellas, Loukas Vyntra, Vasilis Torosidis.
Midfielders: Alexandros Tziolis, Andreas Samaris, Kostas Katsouranis, Giorgos Karagounis, Panagiotis Tachtsidis, Sotiris Ninis, Ioannis Fetfatzidis, Kostas Fortounis, Lazaros Christodoulopoulos, Panagiotis Kone.
Forwards: Dimitris Papadopoulos, Dimitris Salpingidis, Giorgios Samaras, Konstantinos Mitroglou, Theofanis Gekas.
Greece's 23-man squad
Alexandros Tzorvas, Michalis Sifakis, Avraam Papadopoulos, Dimitris Siovas, Sotiris Ninis, Kostas Fortounis, and Dimitris Salpingidiswere were cut out from Greece's final 23-man squad. Meanwhile, Vangelis Moras was included due to his wonderful season with Verona.
