Greece’s German coach Otto Rehhagel trimmed his 25-man training squad to the requisite 23 by axing AEK Athens midfielder Grigoris Makos and Panionios defender Giorgios Tzavelas.

Rehhagel, Greece’s 2004 European Championship-winning supremo, kept Omonia Nicosia midfielder Christos Patsatzoglou and Panathinaikos defender Giourkas Seitaridis in the 23, reasoning that the pair would be fresh after overcoming injury-hit seasons with their clubs.

The squad’s attacking options include Bundesliga pair Theofanis Gekas, the qualifying tournament top-scorer with ten goals, and Angelos Christeas, who grabbed Greece’s winner in their Euro 2004 final triumph over Portugal.

Liverpool defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos is the EPL’s sole representative in the World Cup squad.