Papastathopoulos aims to realise Greece dream

At the age of 25, Sokratis Papastathopoulos is already considered a veteran for Greece and the defender is ready for the two "finals" that could take them to the FIFA World Cup.

Capped 44 times, Papastathopoulos marshalled a defence that kept eight clean sheets in ten qualifying Group G games, and although they were second on goal difference behind Bosnia and Herzegovina, it set up a play-off with Romania. Ahead of Friday's first leg in Piraeus, the Borussia Dortmund centre-back believes they can repeat their success at the same stage against Ukraine four years ago.

"We always play to win," Papastathopoulos told UEFA.com. "It would be ideal to keep a clean sheet on Friday at home. We will see how these encounters unfold. They will be very tough, like finals. There is no tomorrow after Tuesday. Either we qualify and everything is perfect, or we get eliminated and everything is a mess. There is no other way to look at it. However, we hope to end up on the winning side."

He is respectful of the opposition: "Romania are a skilful side, who rely on talent rather than tactics. It goes without saying that, having reached the play-off stage, they are highly competitive and opponents to be reckoned with."

The fact that the first match is at home does not seem to bother Papastathopoulos. "It doesn't matter where we play the first leg, home or away," he said. "Four years ago we had the first game of our World Cup play-off against Ukraine at home. We drew 0-0 and then went on to win away and book our ticket for South Africa. Our task remains the same, whatever the venue."

Greece are known as a '1-0 team', a tag that Papastathopoulos – who joined Dortmund from SV Werder Bremen last May – would love to shake off. "We are not satisfied with the way we play in attack, because we have the talent to do so much better – and the lads up front are proof of that," he explained.

"They are scoring non-stop in their leagues and should be able to bring their form into the national team as well. Of course, it's tough to adapt in such a short space of time from their club-mates to new partners in the national team. I hope we score against Romania all the goals we didn't score during the group stage."

Part of only the second Greece team to go to a World Cup in 2010, Papastathopoulos is hungry for more. "It's such a unique competition that everybody wants to experience it – even as a spectator, more so as a participant. I give my all on a daily basis to improve and be able to get such opportunities – they are worth the effort and sacrifices of many years. Furthermore, to participate in a World Cup in Brazil, such an iconic place for football, is beyond special. None of us has ever played there – I have never even visited the country. I hope we will realise our dream and play in Brazil next summer."