The Greek government is doing everything it can to prevent national bankruptcy. But the real fight will be waged between those in Greece who are prepared for sacrifice and those who want to cling to the good old days. A report from the front lines.

The 2004 Olympic Games in Athens were easily the high point in the career of Kostaris Antonis, 45. "I had never before experienced such a thing, neither emotionally nor financially," he says. Antonis is sitting on his rooftop terrace, which looks out onto the Acropolis. His eyes glow in the sun - and with the memory of Greece's grand success six years ago.

Antonis is the head of a mid-sized landscaping company with some 50 employees, depending on the season and demand. Prior to the Olympics, Antonis was able to beat out a number of other companies for contracts to beautify game venues in both Athens and Piraeus. Even today, he says, he is still "especially proud" of the honor. It also reminds him of a time when the world still seemed intact.

Today, Antonis still specializes in large projects with high visibility. But his pride has slowly given way to financial worries. "I don't know anymore how I'm going to go forward," he says.

He adds that clients owe him a total of €4 million ($5.4 million) for work already completed - with most of the projects having been done for municipalities and other public entities. The northern city of Thessaloniki, for example, owes him €780,000, and there is no sign that it will pay him any time soon.