Rehhagel names Greece squad

Rehhagel gives young striker his chance for World Cup play-off

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 9th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rehhagel names Greece squad

Mitroglou: Surprise selection

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Greece boss Otto Rehhagel has named his 22-man squad for the 2010 World Cup qualifying play-off matches against Ukraine.

Monday's announcement sees a surprise selection for the play-off double header as the 2004 European Champions have given Olympiakos striker Kostas Mitroglou the nod.

The 21-year-old has been called up by Rehhagel from the Greece Under 21 team for both the home clash on 14th November and the 18th November trip to the Ukraine, which will determine who books their spot in the South Africa finals.

Mitroglou, who grew up in Germany and was a product of Borussia Monchengladbach's youth academy, is included in the senior side for the first time after replacing injured starter Giannis Amanatidis of Bundesliga outfit Eintracht.

"I am very happy that Mr Rehhagel has chosen me on the national team. I want to help with all my strength in the two very difficult and crucial matches," said the Olympiakos forward, who has scored in the UEFA Champions League this season.

Injury woes

Rehhagel has injury woes in defence as Panathinaikos' Giorgos Seitaridis and Christos Patsatzoglou of Cypriot side AC Omonia are both out of the crucial two-legged clash.

But the German tactician is set to be able to rely on the services of Liverpool's Sotiris Kyrgiakos, despite fears he would face months out with a knee complaint sustained in Greece's last qualifier.

Contrary to the early prognosis, the towering centre-back has been a regular in the Reds' back-line of late and should be available, providing he comes through Monday night's Premier League clash with Birmingham City.

Injured defender Vasilis Torosidis was the beneficiary of a call up but will most likely miss the first match, while injured goalkeeper Costas Halkias of PAOK Salonica and midfielders Giorgos Karagounis of Panathinaikos and Grigoris Makos of AEK Athens are expected to be ready for the first encounter.

Greece Squad for the World Cup qualifying play-off double-header against Ukraine

Goalkeepers: Costas Halkias (PAOK Salonica), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos), Michael Sifakis (Aris Salonica)

Defenders: Lukas Vyntra and Nikos Spyropoulos (both Panathinaikos), Vangelis Moras (Bologna FC), Avraam Papadopoulos and Vasilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Socrates Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (Liverpool).

Midfielders: Costas Katsouranis, Giorgos Karagounis, Alexandros Tziolis and Sotiris Ninis (all Panathinaikos), Grigoris Makos (AEK Athens), Vasilis Pliatsikas (FC Schalke 04)

Forwards: Dimitris Salpingidis (Panathinaikos), Fanis Gekas (Bayer Leverkusen), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic), Kostas Mitroglou (Olympiakos), Vasilis Koutsianikoulis (PAOK), Angelos Haristeas (FC Nurnberg).