Perhaps no one believes that Greece are able to beat Czech Republic in Thursday's semi-final even after they upset hosts Portugal, drew with Spain in group stage and sent the holders France packing in quarterfinals.

Everybody expects the Greeks to capitulate in the last four as Greece coach Otto Rehhagel also insisted the Czech Republic are "the absolute favorites, no question" for the semi-final in Porto.

"The Czechs have always been exceptional footballers and they have proved it so far," Rehhagel said in training camp. "We will see whether we can use the few chances that we have to go through."

Have already surpassed expectations, however, the Greeks do have certain advantage as they may not suffer from the nerves thatstifled numerous quarter-finalists.

Striker Angelos Charisteas, whose header knocked out the holders, maintained the Greek would once again fight against odds.

"I think that the next game will be once more a big game," he said. "This is normal. It's a semi-final and if we play 90 minutesat 100 percent, why shouldn't we go to the final?"

Team-mate Michalis Kapsis has been a revelation in an unexpectedly resilient defense, and credits their success to nothing more than cutting out errors.

"In football, you don't have to make a lot of mistakes. This isthe secret for not losing a match," he said.

"I believe that until now, we haven't made a lot of mistakes, and this is the reason why we are here."

Before Thursday's semi-final, Rehhagel has a fully-fit squad, and is expected to start with the same eleven that caused such a stir against France.

But Czech faced a tough challenge as skipper Pavel Nedved will walk on a disciplinary tight rope on Thursday when a yellow card against Greece rules him out of final, if they progresses.

If Nedved fails to deliver his normal level, the Greeks will hold even bigger odds against the strong Czech eleven. The Czech playmaker admitted that he would be very careful in the clash withGreece.

"I will be very careful or I could miss the final - if we go through," said Nedved. "But also I know that it is a tough match in the semi-finals and it is difficult because there is a lot of pressure.

"I want to be running and running but I know I need to tread softly."

But Nedved also said he will not care too much about the yellowcard.

"I will not change my style or shirk from the fight," addedd Nedved.

Meanwhile Czech defender Martin Jiranek will probably miss the match as the right-back was stretched off with a thigh strain against Denmark, and seems set to lose his battle for full fitness.

Following are the probable starters for both sides:

Greece (4-5-1): 1-Nikopolidis; 14-Fyssas, 5-Dellas, 19-Kapsis, 2-Seitaridis; 6-Basinas, 7-Zagorakis; 21-Katsouranis, 20-Karagounis, 11-Nikolaidis; 9-Charisteas.

Czech Pepublic (4-4-2): 1-Cech; 6-Jankulovski, 21-Ujfalusi, 5-Bolf, 2-Grygera; 11-Nedved, 4-Galasek, 10-Rosicky, 8-Poborsky; 9-Koller, 15-Baros.

Source: Xinhua