In a Greek tragedy, the seeds of a man's destruction are sown in the core of his soul. And the man at the centre of Greece's looming World Cup tragedy is 71-year-old German coach, Otto Rehhagel, whom Wikipedia dubs "one of the most important people in the history of Greek Sport".

The supremely self-confident Rehhagel might be considered an older version of Jose Mourinho: capable of coaching a fine attacking team like Werder Bremen to years of success, but just as quick to adopt ultra-defensive tactics when the situation demands. And for the past decade, ever since he took over as Greek national coach, that's exactly what Rehhagel has demanded of his modestly talented squad.

"In the past, they all did as they pleased," Rehhagel explains. "Now, they all do what they can."

With an astonishing ten players from Panathinaikos, plus another four from Olympiakos, the Greek squad will be unfamiliar to most Australians. Outside the Greek community, only the names of Liverpool's Sotiris Kyrgiakos and maybe Celtic striker Giorgos Samaras (now targetted by Palermo as a replacement for Bresciano), are likely to ring a bell. But to Hellenic football fans around the world, these Euro 2004 champions remain heroes one and all.

While Greeks today are rioting against IMF austerity measures, unconvinced that an Argentina-style economic overhaul will remedy their country's financial ills, they have learned to love Rehhagel's own austere brand of no-nonsense defensive football. The self-acclaimed "child of the Bundesliga" likes to call it "kontrollierte offensive" , which translates as "controlled offence". But as a Greek friend explained it to me, the reality is more like: "defend all game, then try to score from a free kick or corner".

Rehhagel insists this is not catennaccio, argues that a coach must work with the players he has, and boasts that the ends justify the means. And if he can get the Greeks past Round One, I'm sure none of his fans will be complaining.

Personally, I can't see it happening. As even Rehhagel concedes: "Some you lose, and some are won by your opponents." And there's just too much quality in the other two teams vying for second place in this group.

If the Greeks think their workman-like attitude is a virtue, the South Koreans can surely match them. I'm tipping a scoreless draw for this opening game. And while the Greeks might be able to squeak a goal against Nigeria's thin defence, the Super Eagles' formidable attack will be tough to subdue. I'm tipping 3-1 to the Africans, even if they are below their 1990's best. Let's not even talk about the final game against Argentina.

If Greece do go home without winning a game, Rehhagel will surely quit as coach, and the search for a new messiah will begin. And if the next Greek gaffer wants a bit more chilli sauce on his yeeros, young Sotiris Ninis might be just the ticket. But not for this World Cup, I'm afraid.

Endaxi?