Charisteas ready for challenge

Like so many players in this season’s UEFA European Under-21 Championship, Angelos Charisteas has already made a name for himself at senior level. The striker scored twice on his national debut against Russia, also scored twice against Germany, and, but for David Beckham’s belated intervention, his goal at Old Trafford might well have put England out of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

In demand
Such eye-catching displays led to something of a lottery for the player when his contract ended this month, with SV Werder Bremen winning the race for his signature with a four-year contract. Suitors RC Lens and Parma AC among others will get the chance to see what they missed out on when the former FC Aris Thessaloniki striker leads the Greece attack in the Championship final tournament in Switzerland.

Relishing challenge
Speaking to uefa.com, Charisteas was certainly looking forward to parading his skills against the Czech Republic, Belgium and France in the group stage. He said: “This will be a great tournament. The best eight teams of the continent, some of them representing countries with enormous football tradition. I am overwhelmed; this is one of the most challenging moments of my career. Above all, what matters is that we play well, we enjoy our time on the field and that we prove that our qualification was well justified.”

Senior selection
Charisteas played the first three matches of Greece’s qualifying campaign before being promoted to the senior team. And he admits that the adjustment back to U-21 level is difficult. He said: “I must admit that the whole process is a little hard. You have to switch on and off and change your data as to who are your team mates, what’s their style and what you are after. My team-mates had the opportunity to play together throughout the qualifying phase and their co-operation is more automatic. But I know them very well and I do not have an adaptation problem. We‘ve been through many things together.”

European eilite
But he feels that Greece have a good chance in the finals. He told uefa.com: “Greece has already proven its worth during the qualifiers. My team managed to qualify from a difficult group with squads such as England and Germany and it fought hard every game. Even the three defeats came with a one-goal difference. We must stay focused on our targets, fight like we know how and our goal is at least to reach the final, as the 1998 team did. Whatever happens, we have already proven that we deserve to be among the elite of European football at this age. We have already left our mark.”

Respect for young and restless
Charisteas is not writing off his opponents, however. He added: “I have watched some of their games. They all finished top in their respective groups and they have some exceptional players. This will be a very hard-fought championship, with players who are eager to stand out, as they are at the beginning of their career - Greeks, French, English, Italians, we all are young and restless. We need to show what we are made of. And this is our chance.”

Winning spirit
Greece recorded victories over Germany, England, Finland, Albania and Turkey in qualifying and Charisteas outlined his side’s strengths for uefa.com: “This team is made of players that love and respect each other and help each other during the game. The atmosphere is great, since we all have been friends for years. It is like a really big family. Also, I would have to point out the winning spirit of the team and the determination of each player to fight until the end. We never surrender.”

New challenge
After Switzerland, Charisteas is looking forward to playing in the German 1. Bundesliga next season. He said: “I am somewhat anxious. It is the first move of my career and I must leave my country at an early age. But I am trying to cope with it. I know that I must continue doing what I am good at, being always there for whatever my coach will ask of me and focus on my duty. I must prove that I deserved this transfer and make all those people who believe in my abilities proud of me.”