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By Karolos Grohmann
ATHENS, Nov 16 - Greece beat Hungary 2-1 in a
low-key friendly on Wednesday when most of the cheers were
reserved for coach Otto Rehhagel who renewed his contract with
the European champions earlier in the week.
Stelios Giannakopoulos put the Greeks ahead in the 31st
minute, tapping in a perfect cross from Dimitris Salpingidis
after a surging run down the left wing.
Hungary equalised through a Krisztian Kenesei penalty in the
77th minute after Tamas Hajnal was felled by Sotiris Kyrgiakos
but Pantelis Kafes sealed the win for the hosts with a low drive
shortly before the final whistle.
Greece, watched by only a few thousand fans, wasted several
chances in the first half-hour with defender Paraskevas Antzas
and the new strike duo of Vangelis Mantzios and Dimitris
Salpingidis unable to convert several close-range efforts.
"This is a new start for us to build a new team to fight for
qualification for Euro 2008," Giannakopoulos said. "We have
plenty of time to improve and become stronger."
Rehhagel, disappointed with his team's commitment, said:
"You must always find ways to motivate players and fans for such
friendlies. We wanted to win this and we had to show some
passion."
Rehhagel, whose extension will make him the longest serving
national coach in Greece, took over an unfancied side in 2001
and led them to a stunning European championship victory in
Portugal last year.
Greece captain Theodoris Zagorakis, who did not play against
Hungary because of a minor injury, is determined to remain in
Rehhagel's plans at the age of 34.
"This team is part of my life and I think that, as long as I
have the strength, I want to help," Zagorakis said. "But it is
up to those who make the selection."