Greece target Spain scalp

'Prove it'
As a Club Atlético de Madrid player, Nikolaidis is aware of the strengths of Greece's opponents at the Estádio do Bessa Século XXI, yet he refuses to be cowed by their reputation. "Spain have better players than us and are a better team but they will have to prove it on the pitch," he said.

Revenge factor
Greece, of course, reached the finals by finishing above Spain in their qualifying group, thanks largely to a 1-0 victory in Zaragoza last June. Of a Spanish desire for revenge, Nikolaidis said: "That's not a problem for us. They are the favourites, but names on shirts don't win matches." He did, however, single out Juan Carlos Valerón and Fernando Torres, his Atlético team-mate, as "their most dangerous players".

Danish example
The 30-year-old forward appeared as a second-half substitute against Portugal on Saturday, having struggled with a calf injury in recent weeks. However, he is ready to help his country emulate another UEFA European Championship underdog in 1992 winners Denmark. "The Danes are a good example - they were not the best team then but they did some spectacular things and I don't think they were better than we are now. I am not surprised by our performance - we have been together for two years and know each other's game very well."

'Stay focused'
However, Greece midfield player Vassilios Tsiartas warned against getting carried away by the defeat of Portugal. "It is great that the world is talking about us now, but that does not mean they will be talking about us after the Spain game. We have to stay focused on the task at hand," he said.