Denmark and Greece ready for another surprise?

As we all remember Denmark infamously won the European Championships 1992 literally coming straight from their summer holidays. Greece have done the same. You would've been mad, if you'd predicted that Greece will win the EURO 2004, but they did. Could the two surprise the big guns again?

While Denmark won the EURO 1992, they're not a familiar name in the World Cup finals. They weren't there the last time out, in Germany, and actually reached the finals only 3 times before South Africa.

So you can see the players haven't got a lot of big stage experience, even though they always seem to show impressive play in the qualifying, but often miss out in the end. This time they had a awesome campaign, pushing powerhouse Portugal into the play-off and knocking out neighbours Sweden entirely.

While the players might not be the most experienced ones, the manager is. Morten Olsen himself was part of the Danish side for nearly 20 years from 1970-1989, playing over 100 matches. He's been the manager for quite some time now. 9 years is a lot in modern day football, especially internationally. He's been through thick and thin, seen all the up and down, it's now his duty to mould his side ready to perform in the big stage.

Greece is also lead by a legendary manager. German Otto Rehhagel delivered the EURO 2004 for the nation, not often reffered in a footballing sense, and the man is still in charge. His reign has now also stretch to quite a long one. He was appointed in 2001.

South Africa will only be the second one for Greece. Their debut was in USA 1994, which they ended goalless and pointless.

There's been quite a few changes since the EURO triumph, but there are still players, who were part of the success. Also a number of younger players are starting to make a name for themselves. And if striker Theofanis Gekas, who the top scorer in European zone in qualifying, can deliver the goals, Otto's Greece might surprise once again.