George Tsipras, Coordinator of The Foreign Policy Department of Syriza spoke to Newstalk Lunchtime - he is not surprised that the Irish and Portuguese governments have opposed economic concessions to the new Greek government.

He says: "It is not surprising because they have followed the policies that are similar to what the previous government followed in Greece. If we, Syriza succeed it means governments, like the ones in Ireland and Spain and Portugal may have some problems."

Mr Tsipras downplayed the suggestion that the Greek government has become isolated - saying that not all euro zone countries share German's hard-line stance.

The Syriza official is hopeful that a deal can be negotiated today - he adds that the country's government has "not played hardball."

He says that Syriza has taken "steps backwards" - but he warns that there are red lines that the Greeks will not cross.

Financial Times' Brussels bureau chief, Peter Spiegel also spoke with Newstalk Lunchtime - he says that anybody who claims that they can predict what will happen in today's Eurogroup meeting is lying.

The financial journalist adds that the Greeks have made significant compromises since Syriza was elected - but if any further concessions are needed - it is likely that they will have to come from Athens.

Mr Spiegel warns that the mood music in Brussels is poor ahead of the meeting and that the politics have become "bitter and personal."

While the standoff has been framed as a choice between concessions to the Greek government - or a Greek exit from the euro - Mr Spiegel thinks that the finance ministers might find a "middle way."

This would be a situation where no agreement is reached before the end of the month - allowing the old deal to end while the Greeks and the Eurogroup commit to negotiations to make a new deal.

Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem has announced that the Eurogroup meeting has been delayed - it will now commence at 15:30 GMT.