Cyprus realistic about France hopes

Momcilo Vukotic, the Cyprus coach, is remaining realistic about his side's chances as they take on France at the GSP stadium in Nicosia for their first EURO 2004™ championship qualifier on Saturday.

Coach confident
Vukotic pointed out the difficult road that lays ahead for his team but has stressed that he is confident that his players will give their all to get the best possible result for Cypriot football. "France may be the overwhelming favourites but that doesn't mean we won't try our best.

'Difficult task'
"I'm confident my players will play their hardest and show the best qualities of our side and Cypriot football in general," he added. "We want to put on a good performance. We are aware of the difficult task that faces us but we will play without pressure and press the game hard showing that we are a football nation on the right road and that we do have potential."

Panagiotou requests support
Meanwhile, Cyprus and Anorthosis Famagusta FC goalkeeper Nicos Panagiotou - who played in Cyprus' famous 3-2 victory over Spain in the opening game of the EURO 2000™ qualifying campaign - has pointed out the need for support against the French. "Our task is very hard but we promise that we will do our best. We also call on the supporters to come and cheer us on."

Konstantinou blow
Cyprus' main concern at present is who will replace Panathinaikos FC striker Michalis Konstantinou who despite arriving in Cyprus yesterday is likely to miss the game because of injury. Konstantinou's most obvious replacements are Giasemis Gaisemakis of FC PAOK Thessaloniki or Marios Agathocleous of APOEL Nicosia FC.

Cyprus squad
Panayiotou, Shimitras, Konnafis, Nicolaou, Okkaridis, Daskalakis, Michael, Theodotou, Ioakim, Spyrou, Satsias, Christodoulou, Kaiafas, Nicolaou, Agathocleous, Eleftheriou, Constantinou, Okkas, Yasemakis.