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Giannakopoulos beleives that the pressure is now on post group favourites Portugal and Spain and belieives that the Greeks have done well to defy all the odds, carrying on their pre-tournament form into the competition. Many felt the country would be in awe of their more illustrious rivals but the Bolton midfielder was one of many who was adamant that the Greece squad would make an impact on the tournament.
"We played the way we did against Portugal, but I felt we were facing a much stronger team in Spain. It is obvious that Spain is a better team and they have much better quality throughout their team than Portugal, I feel that it will be Spain who will get through to the last eight. With us."
"Holding Spain was the biggest proof that we could manage to show everybody that we are not here on vacation. We did not to discover that Portugal is a good country to relax in on your holidays. We didn't come here to dream on the beach and swim in the sea. Although it is certainly very nice and warm here, a bit warmer than Bolton."
The former Olympiakos man feels that the country will almost be guarenteed a place in the quarter final with only a game against bottom of the table Russia who are already eliminated standing in the way of the formalities in post group qualification.
"Now that Portugal have beaten Russia it means we are virtually in the quarter finals, then anything can happen. We have to lose to Russia and Portugal must beat Spain for us not to go through now. It is much better for us now to be playing a Russian side who have lost both their games and are out of the tournament. I would not want to be in the shoes of Portugal and Spain, knowing that one of them will go out when they play."