Cracks start to appear in King Otto's Greek kingdom

German coach Otto Rehhagel(L) expressed fears about his players ability to raise themselves again to beat favourites the Czech Republic

Greece's serene if surprising march to the Euro 2004 semi-finals appeared to have hit a few bumps on the eve of the most important match in the country's history.

Their German coach Otto Rehhagel expressed fears about his players ability to raise themselves again to beat favourites the Czech Republic after their stunning 1-0 defeat of 2000 champions France last Friday.

The 65-year-old then angrily denied there were rifts in the squad after a report in one Greek newspaper the players were furious he had taken all the credit for the French upset.

He also had to rubbish claims the financial crisis swirling round AEK Athens would affect the five players in the squad from the club.

However Rehhagel's main concern is his players may be running out of steam as they look to claim a place in their first ever final.

"I hope we will have enough strength to face the Czechs," said Rehhagel, winner of two Bundesliga titles with Werder Bremen.

"We always concentrate on our next goal, but we have lost a lot of energy both physically and psychologically."

However Rehhagel was cheered by the fact every one of his 23-man squad is available for selection.

"It's the first time this has happened since the tournament began," he said.

Rehhagel's calm demeanour evaporated when a Greek journalist asked him if there was any truth in the offending article.

Rehhagel responded angrily to the journalist's question through his interpreter: "That's unbelievable - what are you talking about? Where did you get that from? If you were any kind of man you would tell me."

A smile soon returned to Rehhagel's face and matters turned towards Thursday's match and how his team plan to stop the competition's leading goalscorer Milan Baros and his giant striker partner Jan Koller.

"I'm not going to reveal how we intend to deal with them," he said.

"You will have to wait and see."

Rehhagel dismissed suggestions the AEK players, which include captain Theo Zagorakis, might be affected by their club's crippling financial problems.

"I am only concerned with the national team - that is the only thing I have control over."

Rehhagel, who has a fondness for Portugal having won the European Cup Winners' Cup with Bremen in Lisbon in 1992, said he felt proud of what he and the team had achieved up until now having exceeded all expectations despite limited resources with a place in the last four.

"We are extremely glad that we have been able to give so much joy and enthusiam to the people back in Greece," he said.