Greece Names 29-Man Preliminary Squad for 2014 World Cup, Banking on Experience and Depth
Greece has released a 29-man provisional squad ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, as head coach Fernando Santos looks to guide the team beyond the group stage for the first time in their World Cup history. This will be Greece’s third appearance in football’s most prestigious tournament, and unlike some nations, Santos has opted for a relatively large preliminary group before trimming it down to the final 23.
Despite a difficult season at club level, striker Kostas Mitroglou is among the key figures included in the squad. The 26-year-old moved from Olympiacos to Fulham in January but struggled with injuries and form, failing to prevent the English club from being relegated. Nevertheless, his prior goal-scoring record and importance to the national setup meant his inclusion was never really in doubt.
The Greek squad is built on a solid defensive foundation, which has long been a hallmark of their playing style. Familiar names such as Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund), Vasilis Torosidis (Roma), and José Holebas (Olympiacos) bring a wealth of international and European experience to the backline.
In midfield, veterans like Giorgos Karagounis, the country’s most capped player, and Kostas Katsouranis will be expected to provide leadership and control. Younger talents such as Panagiotis Tachtsidis (Torino) and Giannis Fetfatzidis (Genoa) offer creativity and energy.
Up front, Mitroglou is joined by experienced forwards like Giorgos Samaras (Celtic), Fanis Gekas (Konyaspor), and Dimitris Salpingidis (PAOK), forming a versatile attack that can adapt to different tactical demands.
The preliminary squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Tzorvas (Apollon Smyrnis), Sifakis (Atromitos), Karnezis (Granada), Glykos (PAOK), Kapino (Panathinaikos)
Defenders: Papadopoulos, Siovas, Manolas, Maniatis, Holebas (Olympiacos), Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund), Tzavellas (PAOK), Vyntra (Levante), Torosidis (Roma)
Midfielders: Tziolis (Kayserispor), Samaris (Olympiacos), Katsouranis (PAOK), Karagounis (Fulham), Tachtsidis (Torino), Ninis (PAOK), Fetfatzidis (Genoa), Fortounis (Kaiserslautern), Christodoulopoulos, Kone (Bologna)
Forwards: Papadopoulos (Atromitos), Salpingidis (PAOK), Samaras (Celtic), Mitroglou (Fulham), Gekas (Konyaspor)
Greece has been drawn into Group C alongside Colombia, Japan, and Ivory Coast—a challenging but navigable group. Their defensive discipline and tactical discipline could prove to be an asset, especially against more open and attacking sides.
With a blend of seasoned campaigners and youthful flair, Santos’ men will be aiming to write a new chapter in Greek football history by reaching the knockout stages for the first time.
