Euro 2012: How Loss of Avraam Papadopoulos Will Impact Greece's Chances

The Greek national team gained a point in a tie with Poland in the opening match of Euro 2012, but it lost its starting center back, Avraam Papadopoulos, to a torn knee ligament.

Goal.com UK reported the news via its Twitter.

"

BREAKING NEWS: Greece midfielder Avraam Papadopoulos will miss the rest of Euro 2012 with a torn ligament in his knee.

— Goal UK (@GoalUK) June 8, 2012"

The 27-year-old, who plays for Olympiakos, came off in the 37^th minute of the match after sustaining the injury.

This is a major blow to the Greek national team, who hope to repeat their success in the 2004 European Championships, which they won.

Eight years ago, the team squeaked into the knockout stage as the second-place finisher in their group, then pulled off three consecutive 1-0 victories to take the title.

The format of the Euro tournament makes unexpected runs like this possible. The two finalists will play just six matches. If a team can get past the group stage, anything can happen.

Greece’s strategy in Euro 2004 was to play perfect defense and keep all their players behind the ball as often as possible. Then, when their opponent threw too many men forward, they would break forward and get a goal on a counter attack.

This strategy is especially appealing to teams that have significantly less talent than the traditional powers like Spain and Germany.

Discipline, organization and a little bit of luck can lead to a championship for teams like Greece. But now, without one of their key defenders for the rest of tournament, a run like this is even more unlikely. 

Those hoping for an inspiring run from the troubled nation are unlikely to receive one due to Papadopoulos’ injury.