Bosnia next up for Greece in Euro 2008 qualifying

[Euro_2004_Champs]

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina Greece has won its first two European Championship qualifiers, and Bosnia is next on the list.

The defending champion Greeks visit Bosnia on Wednesday looking to make it three straight — after Group C wins over Moldova and Norway.

"It would be nice to win, but the important thing is that we don't lose to Bosnia," Greece midfielder Giorgos Karagounis said.

Bosnia, which is an underdog in the group that also includes Turkey, will be trying to win for the second time in four matches. The Bosnians beat Malta, lost to Hungary and drew with Moldova.

The match will be Greece captain Theo Zagorakis' last with the national team.

Zagorakis, who turns 35 later this month, was the Greece captain when the team unexpectedly won the 2004 European Championship in Portugal. Wednesday's match will mark his 119th international appearance.

"My time with the national team is over. I thank God for everything I have experienced with the team," Zagorakis said before flying to Bosnia. "There are things you want to give, but at some point you realize you can't anymore."

Zagorakis, who has played for Leicester City and Bologna, returned to Greece last year to rejoin PAOK Thessaloniki. He made his international debut against the Faeroe Islands in 1994.

Greece, which added striker Giorgos Samaras to its squad for Saturday's 1-0 win over Norway, will be without injured defender Yiannis Goumas for Wednesday's game.

Bosnia will miss suspended captain Sergei Barbarez, while striker Zvjezdan Misimovic is considered doubtful.

Greece say farewell to legendary midfielder Theo Zagorakis as they look to continue a perfect start to their Euro 2008 campaign. Their battle with Turkey for control of Group C looks set to continue raging, with the teams both chasing a third straight win.

The two nations have maximum points after two matches apiece, with Turkey playing Moldova and Greece travelling to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday.

Like their Turkish rivals, Greece are trying to rebuild their reputation after failing to qualify for the World Cup, and face a stern test away to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Zagorakis is finally set to hang up his boots after winning his 120th cap in Sarajevo.

He captained the side and was player of the tournament as Otto Rehhagel's side claimed their remarkable Euro 2004 triumph and will be desperate to inspire one final hurrah.

Bosnia-Herzegovina's opening games have seen goals in abundance, with 15 in the last three matches.

Nevertheless, the right combination of results could see Blaz Sliskovic's side go top on Wednesday night.

[ralph]

This game should be easy for you Greeks Macedonian. Don't blow this one or I'll write you guys of till the next EURO in 2012.

[Tartan]

Well Ralph I have to agree with you on this one.THe Greks have to win and in my opinion, win by at least two, maybe three goals.

[Tartan]

By the way Ralph, I hope you didn't play that clarinet after you took it out of your nose.

[macedonian]

Ralph, you are a pig, we love it!!!

As for the Greeks. Hail!!! Ya I know, it's just Bosnia and no disrespect intended for that comment as they are certainly not a useless squad, far from it. However, it was great for the Greeks to realy explode for some goals. Patsa played awesome.

[Panathenian_fan]

0-4 final score .

Despite the big win, we were really bad in most of the game. In the first half we were like not being in the field. Even when Papac was sent off we had many problems. It all ended when Patsatzoglu made the score 2-0 and the Bosnians lost all their courage. It was easy then.

[macedonian]

True, but we certaily had our good moments. The late explosion was impressive. It was vital to see them score three quick goals and they are all open play goals at that point (were they not?).

[African]

Certainly a very positive leap forward for the Greeks, but work is still needed. I find Greece really holds back, which of course is sound tacticly, until it start to harm them. Today it did harm them to a degree, luckily not on the score board. When they unleashed, they looked like the Euro champs. Nice goals too. Patsa looked awesome.