EURO 2008 INFO

Vassilis Torosidis was only 19 years when Greece was crowned champion of Europe in 2004. Seeing the end with his friends in his hometown, Xanthi, admits that it held "like a madman" and this summer will attempt to maintain his country defending the title.

Young figure
Torosidis is one of the young figures of Greek football at the moment. A versatile right side that can also act as a defensive midfielder or central, made his debut in Greece with Skoda Xanthi FC in 2002 and has matured since then. Barely two months after arriving at Olympiacos CFP in January last year, achieved his first international call in the 1-4 defeat by Greece to Turkey's qualifying for the Uefa Euro 2008 ™ on March 24, 2007. "I was happy to make my debut, but all I remember of that night was sadness and disappointment. But that defeat made us stronger. We became a team more decisive and succeed classification after all," said a Torosidis uefa.com.

Change Position
Since then, Torosidis holder has been usual and has already made 11 international, although the selection, Otto Rehhagel, asked him to play as left side. "I'm always happy to follow the instructions of my coach. He had not played before and left side, and it is natural that I feel more comfortable in the banda right, but we must all work hard," he said.

A more
Their quality has allowed it, with only 22 years old, already has in his two league titles and a Super Greek. It also contributed to the Olympiacos this season reached the round of the Uefa Champions League: "I'm living a few years impressive, with many big games and emotions. I hope that I continue to improve and respected injuries to hold more titles and successes" , Said Torosidis.

Defense of Title
In less than two months will be traveling to Austria to try to defend the title harvested by Greece four years ago. This great challenge begins when confronted with Sweden in Salzburg on June 10, the day that meets 23 years. "It will be a very special day for me. Hold my birthday playing my first match in a competition like this would be a dream for me." It has a good precedent, as its predecessor on the right side, Panagiotis Fyssas, served 31 years in the opening match of Greece in the last Uefa Euro 2004 ™.

Objectives: quarter-finals
In any case, Torosidis prefers to be cautious: "Four years ago no one gambled on Greece, but now things are different. The rivals will be more cautious because they know that we are a dangerous team. Our first objective is to overcome the group stage and going into quarter-finals. We must go step by step. "