Manager: Otto Rehhagel

Key player: Giorgos Karagounis

Best: Round one (1994)

World ranking: 12

Euro 2004 champions Greece qualified for their first World Cup since 1994 thanks to veteran German coach Otto Rehhagel, who masterminded their success in Portugal. Having finished second in Group Two behind Switzerland, who twice beat them, they met Ukraine in a two-legged play-off and won 1-0 in Donetsk after a 0-0 draw in Athens, with Dimitrios Salpigidis getting the winner.

Rehhagel is a master of maximising the talent he has at his disposal. He added further to his hero status in Greece by guiding the side to only their second ever World Cup finals appearance, and they will be hoping to at least improve on the zero points haul of 1994. Captain and midfielder Giorgos Karagounis will be key to the side in South Africa, as will Liverpool defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos in a side that relies on solidity over flair. It is not beyond them to shock the established order again but it is unlikely and the first round may once again be the limit of their involvement.