Greece midfielders Giannis Maniatis and Grigoris Makos on Monday said that they have total respect for their Euro 2012 quarter-final opponents Germany but do not fear them, despite being underdogs.

Maniatis told a news conference at the side’s Warsaw training camp that they will be looking for a repeat of their last qualifying match on Saturday when they beat a much-fancied Russia side 1-0 against the odds to finish second in Group A.

“We will be playing one of the best teams in the Euro. We surpassed ourselves against Russia. We achieved our qualification for the next round, something that was not expected by many,” the 25-year-old said.

“We will do the same against Germany on Friday. We will look them straight in the eyes, we will not fear them even though they are the favourites. It is just a game and anything can happen.”

Maniatis, of Greek champions Olympiakos, brushed aside questions about the match’s political backdrop, with Germany unpopular in Greece for leading calls on Athens to impose tough austerity measures to help alleviate a crippling debt crisis.

“Here we are talking sports. We are talking football. We just want to bring some joy to the Greeks back home,” he told reporters, with the game viewed by some back home as a chance to settle scores.

AEK player Makos, who may be called up by Santos to replace Giorgos Karagounis, who is out through suspension, meanwhile, vowed to give his all if he is selected to stand in for the veteran captain.

“I will give my 100 per cent and hope we will win and move to the next round,” he said.

“It is significant for us not to be loose in the beginning as we were in the first matches. The start of the match will be most important.

“It is also very significant that many players on our team play or have played in the German league and this may help us.”