Greece look to pull clear in Group C
ATHENS, June 4 (Reuters) - European champions Greece will take full control of their Euro 2008 qualifying group if they can win their home clash with Moldova on Wednesday.
A 2-0 over win over Hungary on Saturday, coupled with second-placed Turkey's 3-2 defeat in Bosnia, has left
the Greeks two points clear in Group C. With Turkey not in action this week, that lead could be extended to five points.
The Greeks played arguably their best first half in nearly three years when they scored twice and created numerous other chances against Hungary.
Coach Otto Rehhagel made several changes to his starting 11, bringing in Bundesliga top scorer Fanis Gekas, central midfielder Vassilis Torosidis who played on the left and striker Yannis Amanatidis for a three-pronged attack with Angelos Haristeas.
"That win gave us three points but there is still a long way to go," midfielder Costas Katsouranis said. "Theoretically the Moldova match is even easier than Hungary but we have to be serious, focused and play with the same style. Then we can think about winning."
Captain Angelos Basinas will miss the match following a yellow card against Hungary and could be replaced by Torosidis who has played in midfield for his club Olympiakos.
Probable teams:
Greece: Antonis Nikopolidis; Yourkas Seitaridis, Sotiris Kyrgiakos, Giorgos Anatolakis, Nikos Spiropoulos; Costas Katsouranis, Vassilis Torosidis, Giorgos Karagounis; Fanis Gekas, Angelos Haristeas, Yannis Amanatidis.
Moldova: Sergei Pashchenko; Alexander Epureanu, Ghenadie Olexici, Semion Bulgaru, Alexei Savinov, Vitalie Bordian; Radu Rebeja, Victor Comlenoc, Denis Zmeu, Andrei Cozokar; Igor Bugaev
my prediction: HOME WIN (AH -1,5) 8/10