ATHENS - European champions Greece puts its pride on the line here on Wednesday in a key Group 2 World Cup 2006 qualifying match against Ukraine at home.
A win would give the Greeks a solid hold of second place and just two points behind group leaders Ukraine, but a loss would see Greece in real danger of missing out on football's showpiece.
After Saturday's scoreless draw in Turkey, Greece has very little chance of finishing first and a direct qualification for the world championships.
A second place finish would at least place the Greeks in a playoff in order to gain a spot in the finals.
"We meant to defend second place and we did it. On Wednesday we must give a better performance and win," said Greece coach Otto Rehhagel after the deadlock with Turkey.
If Greece stumbles with Ukraine, then it would be in a very difficult position as the matches that remain see them going to Kazakhstan and Denmark, and facing Georgia at home.
It would then have to hope for unbeaten Ukraine to make the mistakes.
"If we don't win, things will be very difficult and the group will be wide open as we have a very tough match against Denmark away," said Greek midfielder Giorgos Karagounis who plays for Inter Milan.
Rehhagel is not one for making changes in his lineup but he plans to make some adjustments due to defender Costas Katsouranis of AEK Athens missing out on the match after receiving a booking against Turkey.
However star midfielder Theodoros Zagorakis of Bologna, the MVP of Euro 2004, will rejoin the squad on Wednesday after sitting out Saturday's match.
Greece did well in the first match with Ukraine last October coming away with a 1-1 draw in Kiev.
Two years ago, Greece beat Ukraine 1-0 in Athens in a Euro 2004 qualifying match which sent the Greeks top of their group.
The Greeks are hoping Wednesday history repeats itself and another win against Ukraine would place them on their way to qualifying for their second World Cup finals appearance.
06/07/2005 00:00 GMT