The Greece national football team ( greek : Εθνική Ελλάδας, Ethniki Elladas ) represents Greece in men ‘s external football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece play most of their home matches in or near Athens, either in Athens at the Olympic Stadium in the Marousi section of the city or in the port city of Piraeus at the Karaiskakis Stadium good outside Athens. Greece is one of lone ten national teams to have been crowned UEFA european Champions.
Reading: Greece national football team
Greece had been by and large a little mention in international football, and alone from 1980s that experienced the first taste of football accomplishment, made their first appearance in a major tournament at UEFA Euro 1980 and although they did not make it through the group stage, their reservation to the then eight-team tournament gave them a placement in the top eight european football nations that year. Greece did not qualify for another major tournament until the 1994 FIFA World Cup and after an undefeated qualify campaign, they produced a poor performance in the final examination tournament, losing all three group matches without scoring. Up until 2004, Greece had been largely a much weaker team in the European football scene. UEFA Euro 2004 marked a high point in Greece ‘s football history when they were crowned european champions in entirely their second engagement in the tournament. Dismissed as rank outsiders before the tournament, the team defeated some of the favourites in the contest including defending european champions France and hosts Portugal. During the tournament, Greece defeated the hosts in both the orifice game of the tournament and again in the final. Their gloat earned them a place in the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup. In the ten after the 2004 victory, Greece qualified for the final tournaments of all but one major competitions entered, reaching the quarter-finals at the UEFA Euro 2012 and the round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. During that menstruation, they occupied a identify in the top 20 of the FIFA World Rankings for all but four months, and reached an all-time senior high school of eighth in the global from April to June 2008, a well as in October 2011 .
history [edit ]
First years [edit ]
The first appearance of a greek home football team was at the 1906 Intercalated Games in Athens. Later, the Greek team participated in the Inter-Allied Games in Paris, following the end of World War I, and in the 1920 Summer Olympics of Antwerp ( recognized as inaugural official by FIFA ). A noteworthy calculate during these years was Giorgos Kalafatis, actor and former coach of the team .
1970 World Cup near neglect [edit ]
During the following decades, the Greek team did not manage to have any achiever, despite the mania of the greek people for football. The country ‘s economic and social problems after World War II, did not allow successful preparation of the national team. At its best moment, Greece narrowly missed qualifying for the 1970 FIFA World Cup, despite a good timbre team, including some of the greatest-ever greek players, such as Mimis Domazos, Giorgos Sideris, Giorgos Koudas and Mimis Papaioannou. Greece would besides narrowly fail to qualify for the 1978 FIFA World Cup .
euro 1980 [edit ]
Greece, under the steering of Alketas Panagoulias, made its first appearance in a major tournament at the Euro 1980 in Italy, after qualifying clear of a group that included the Soviet Union and Hungary, both world football powers. [ 4 ] In the final examination tournament, Greece was drawn into group A with West Germany, the Netherlands, and Czechoslovakia. In their first game, Greece held the dutch until the entirely goal of the game was scored with a punishment kick by Kist, in the sixty-fifth minute. Three days late Greece played Czechoslovakia in Rome. After holding the Czechoslovakians 1–1 at the end the first half, Greece finally lost 3–1. In their last plot, Greece earned a 0–0 draw against eventual winners West Germany, concluding what was considered a adequate overall performance in the team ‘s maid presence in a final phase of any football contest .
1994 World Cup [edit ]
The team ‘s success in qualifying for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, marked the foremost time they had made it to the FIFA World Cup finals. [ 5 ] Greece finished first and undefeated in their modify group, surpassing Russia in the final game. In the concluding tournament Greece were drawn into Group D with Nigeria, Bulgaria, and Argentina. After the successful qualify campaign, expectations back in Greece were high as no one could imagine the oncoming astonishing failure. Most celebrated rationality for this complete bankruptcy was the fact that fabled coach Alketas Panagoulias opted to take a police squad full of those players – though most of them aging and out of form – that helped the team in the qualifying rather of modern emerging talents seeing it as a wages for their unprecedented success. furthermore, they had the disadvantage of being drawn into a “ group of end “, with runner-up at the 1990 FIFA World Cup Argentina, former semifinalists Bulgaria, and Nigeria, one of the strongest african teams. It is worth mentioning that all players of the team, including the three goalkeepers, took separate in those three games, something very rare. This tournament was humiliating for the Greek squad, though it is apprehensible given its beginning inaugural appearance. In their first game against Argentina at Foxboro Stadium barely outside Boston, they lost 4–0. Four days belated Greece suffered another 4–0 blow from Bulgaria at Soldier Field in Chicago, and then, in what would be their final game, they lost to Nigeria 2–0 at Foxboro Stadium again. In the end, Greece were eliminated in the first rung by losing all three games, scoring no goals and conceding ten .
Near misses [edit ]
Greece failed to qualify for the Euro 1996 finishing third in the group behind Russia and Scotland. In their 1998 World Cup qualifying tournament the team finished alone one point diffident of second-placed Croatia after a 0–0 draw by the eventual Group winners, the Danish. Croatia and Denmark would make the Semi-Finals and Quarter-Finals respectively, of that World Cup. In their euro 2000 qualifying group, Greece finished again in one-third place, two points behind second-placed Slovenia in a highly disappoint campaign that saw the team lose at home to Latvia. In the 2002 World Cup qualifying Greece finished a disappointing fourth in their group behind England, Germany and Finland, which led to the displace of bus Vasilis Daniil, [ 6 ] replaced by Otto Rehhagel. Highlights of the campaign included a 5–1 get the better of in Finland and the 2–2 draw that followed in England, the foremost two games of the soon to become fabled german coach at the reins of the Greek national team .
european Champions : euro 2004 prevail [edit ]
Thodoris Zagorakis, captain of the national team and “player of the tournament” in Euro 2004.
qualification [edit ]
Greece started the UEFA Euro 2004 qualification crusade with defeats at home to Spain and away to Ukraine, both with a 2–0 scoreline. The team went on to win their remaining six games, including a 1–0 away win over Spain in Zaragoza, securing first position in the group and an appearance in the european Championship finals for the first meter in 24 years .
Before the tournament [edit ]
Greece were the second-least favorite in the rival to win, with Latvia being the least favorite. Greece were besides considered as outsiders and underdogs and were given odds of 150–1 of winning before the tournament. [ 7 ] They were drawn in Group A, ending up with Portugal, Spain and Russia, a “ group of death ” ; Portugal, hosts and favourites to win, Spain, former european champions, and Russia, who won the first-ever Euro as the Soviet Union. identical few people expected Greece to proceed to the quarter-finals, let entirely win the tournament .
Group degree [edit ]
In the opening couple against hosts Portugal Greece achieved a surprise 2–1 victory, [ 8 ] receiving the nickname “ pirate transport ” ( Το Πειρατικό ) used by greek sportscasters in reference to the floating ship used in the tournament ‘s opening ceremony. Greece won with a 25-yard hit by Giorgos Karagounis and a penalty by Angelos Basinas. Four days former, Greece stunned Spain in front of a largely spanish crowd with a 1–1 reap after being down 1–0 at half time. [ 9 ] Greece fell behind from a defensive backsliding, which allowed Fernando Morientes to score. however a exalted aslant pass by playmaker Vasilis Tsiartas allowed Angelos Charisteas to score an counterweight in the second half, giving Greece hope of qualifying. In the final examination group match Greece fell buttocks 2–0 to Russia ( who were already eliminated ) within the first ten minutes of the bet on but managed to pull one back through Zisis Vryzas and therefore progressed to the future round, at the expense of Spain, on goals scored. Dmitri Kirichenko had the prospect to eliminate Greece in the final minutes of this match, but his elongate feat squeezed just across-the-board .
In the quarter-finals Greece faced off with the undefeated and regnant champions France. At 65 minutes Greece took the run. Angelos Basinas played a perfective pass to captain Thodoris Zagorakis, who flicked the ball eminent in the breeze, past veteran french defender Bixente Lizarazu, and sent a perfect cross to Angelos Charisteas for the header and goal. Greece held on to win despite a late french onslaught, with close up efforts by Thierry Henry, thus knocking France out of Euro 2004 and becoming the foremost team always to defeat both the hosts and defending champions in the same tournament. [ 10 ]
Greece reached the semi-finals to face the Czech Republic, who were the only team to defeat all of their opponents to that point. The Czech record included a convincing 3–2 winnings over the Netherlands, a 2–1 acquire over Germany, and a 3–0 win over Denmark in the quarter-finals. At this stage in the tournament the Czechs were favourites to take the trophy. The game began nervously for Greece, as the Czech Republic applied much press. Tomáš Rosický hit the bar in the open minutes, and Jan Koller had respective efforts saved by Antonis Nikopolidis. The Czechs chances were dealt a blow when influential midfielder Pavel Nedvěd left the pitch injured in the first one-half. After 90 minutes the game ended 0–0, despite the Czechs having most of the game ‘s miss chances. In the concluding minute of the first half of extra time, a close range argent goal header by Traianos Dellas from a Vasilis Tsiartas corner ended the Czech campaign, putting Greece into the concluding of Euro 2004 and sending their fans into euphoria. [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ]
final examination [edit ]
For the first clock in history the final examination was a recur of the orifice match, with Greece and hosts Portugal facing off in a replay. In the 57th minute Charisteas gave Greece the conduct with a heading from a corner by Angelos Basinas. [ 14 ] Portugal had much of the self-control, but the greek defense was solid and cover with most attacks. Cristiano Ronaldo had a good find to equalise in the dying moments, but could not apply a polish. Greece held on to win 1–0, winning the tournament, an accomplishment considered by many to be one of the greatest football upsets in history, if not the greatest. [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] Greek captain Zagorakis was named the player of the tournament, having led Greece and made the most tackles in the entire tournament. [ 18 ]
recognition [edit ]
Greece ‘s victory shot them up in the FIFA World Rankings from 35th in June 2004 to 14th in July 2004. This is one of the largest up moves in a single month in the top echelon of the rankings. The victory of Greece at Euro 2004 is the biggest sporting accomplishment in the state ‘s history for a team sport, along with the successes of the Greece national basketball team in the european Championships of 1987, 2005 and 2006 FIBA World Championship and the World Championship title of Greece women ‘s national water polo team in 2011. The team has appeared on stamps and received medals from Konstantinos Stephanopoulos ( the President of Greece ), Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens, and an ecstatic ovation from the country ‘s population which came out to see the team drive with the trophy from the Athens airport to the Panathenaic Stadium where the greek political and religious leadership was awaiting them. [ 19 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] The Euro 2004 winners were selected as “ World team of the class ” at the 2005 Laureus World Sports Award for Team of the Year. [ 23 ]
2005 Confederations Cup [edit ]
As european champions, Greece qualified for the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup in Germany and were drawn into Group B along with 2002 FIFA World Cup champions Brazil, 2004 AFC asian Cup champions Japan, and 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup champions Mexico. Greece lost their first two matches 3–0 to Brazil and 1–0 to Japan before drawing 0–0 with Mexico to finish at the bottom of the group. The team included players such as Stathis Tavlaridis, Loukas Vyntra, Michalis Sifakis, Giannis Amanatidis and Fanis Gekas, all of whom earned their first call ups or maid caps in the national police squad .
2006 World Cup qualifying [edit ]
After winning the Euro 2004, Greece faced Ukraine, Turkey, Denmark, Albania, Georgia and Kazakhstan in Group 2 of the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification tournament. Greece opened their crusade with a 2–1 personnel casualty to Albania in Tirana before withdraw with Turkey ( 0–0 ) and Ukraine ( 1–1 ) followed by a 3–1 victory over Kazakhstan. In 2005, Greece resumed their campaign with three victories, defeating Denmark 2–1 ; Georgia 3–1 ; and Albania 2–0 ; before earning a scoreless away draw with Turkey. Just prior to the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, Greece lost 1–0 at home plate to Ukraine after a late goal from Andriy Husin. [ 24 ] Following a 2–1 off win against Kazakhstan, the team experienced a reverse after a 1–0 kill to Denmark in Copenhagen diminished their chances of reservation. In their death game, Greece defeated Georgia, finishing in one-fourth station, four points behind first-placed Ukraine, two behind Turkey, and a point behind Denmark. Throughout the match, fans in the Karaiskakis Stadium chanted the name of Otto Rehhagel in their farthermost corroborate and he said afterwards “Even if 10 years pass, part of my heart will be Greek”. [ 25 ]
euro 2008 [edit ]
Greece was the highest-ranked seeded player for the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying tournament and was drawn with Turkey, Norway, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Moldova and Malta. They began their euro 2008 qualification campaign with victories over Moldova, Norway and Bosnia and Herzegovina before suffering a 4–1 home loss against Turkey in Athens. Greece went on to win away to Malta, with the only goal coming in the 66th minute from an Angelos Basinas penalty, all in Hungary and Moldova at base and drew 2–2 away to Norway despite having hit the goalpost three times in this peer. The draw in Oslo was followed by a 3–2 dwelling succeed against Bosnia-Herzegovina and a 1–0 away win to Turkey, securing its bearing to the Euro 2008 finals at their old rival ‘s home grate. [ 26 ] In the last two matches, Greece overcame Malta 5–0 in Athens and defeated Hungary with an away 2–1 win, finishing first in their group with a sum of 31 points, the most points gained among any team in qualifying. As defending european champions, Greece were top seed for the final tournament and were drawn with Sweden, Spain, and Russia in Group D. In the tournament finals, however, the Greek team lost all three games and scored only one goal. Greece underperformed in the open match against Sweden and lost 2–0 before losing 1-0 to Russia. Having already been eliminated, Angelos Charisteas opened the score for Greece against Spain, but lost 2–1, becoming the first defending champion not to earn a individual point in the future european Championship .
2010 World Cup [edit ]
Despite the scoring art of Europe ‘s top 2010 World Cup qualifying goal-scorer Fanis Gekas —who produced 10 goals in american samoa many games—Greece took second place to Switzerland in Group 2 of UEFA qualification, frankincense advancing to a home-and-away playoff round, where they faced Ukraine. After a scoreless draw at home plate in the first match, the second leg in Donetsk saw Greece exuberate with a 1–0 win, sending the Greeks to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. [ 27 ] At the 2010 World Cup draw in Cape Town, South Africa on 4 December 2009, Greece found itself grouped with two familiar opponents from its beginning World Cup appearance in 1994. Argentina and Nigeria were even again drawn into group degree play aboard Greece, this time into Group B with South Korea replacing Greece ‘s one-third 1994 opposition, Bulgaria. [ 28 ] In its World Cup undoer, Greece lost 2–0 to South Korea after a blue performance characterized by excessive long-ball attacks and a lack of offensive creativity. In the second regular against Nigeria, Greece won 2–1, [ 29 ] coming from behind after conceding an early goal. Dimitris Salpingidis scored Greece ‘s first-ever goal in the World Cup finals in the 44th minute of the first half to tie the meet at 1–1. [ 30 ] Vasilis Torosidis scored the winning goal in the 71st minute, securing the first points and foremost victory for Greece in tournament history. In the third base match against heavily favoured Argentina, Greece needed a combination of results to advance to the adjacent round. As expected, in what would be his concluding game as Greece ‘s national team head passenger car, Otto Rehhagel conjured up a identical defensive-minded strategy, leaving Georgios Samaras with about all dysphemistic responsibilities as the lone striker. The scheme closely paid off in the second half with the score distillery locked at 0–0 when Samaras beat the last Argentine defender on a quick long-ball counter-attack but curled a rush stroke barely wide of the army for the liberation of rwanda post. The Greeks held the Argentines scoreless until the 77th minute but ultimately lost 2–0, finishing third in Group B. Greece moved from 13th to 12th in the FIFA World Rankings following the tournament. Russia, Croatia and France dropped lower than Greece while Uruguay and Chile jumped ahead of the Greeks .
transition from Rehhagel to Santos [edit ]
twenty-four hours removed from Greece ‘s World Cup personnel casualty to Argentina, Otto Rehhagel stepped away from his post as Greek national team coach. [ 31 ] Eight days late a new era in Greek football was ushered in as the Hellenic Football Federation named early AEK Athens and PAOK boss Fernando Santos the fresh coach. [ 32 ] Under Santos the Greeks immediately went to work on an unprecedented streak of achiever, setting a senior-club phonograph record by going unbeaten in Santos ‘ first seventeen matches as director. While Greece ‘s proficiency in stifling confrontation attacks seemed to wane toward the goal of Rehhagel ‘s tenure, the emergence of Santos seemed to galvanize greek defending once more. Through seven external friendlies and ten Euro 2012 qualifiers, the Greeks kept nine clean sheets and conceded barely one goal in each of the remaining eight contests. From start to end of their unbeaten run, Santos ‘ national side moved from No. 12 to No. 8 in FIFA ‘s world rankings, equaling the highest bell ringer in history credited by FIFA to Greece. only one meet from their mottle featured a team ( other than Greece ) that appeared at the 2010 World Cup, a 1–0 kill of Serbia in Belgrade .
euro 2012 [edit ]
Qualifying [edit ]
With its late-game rejoinder victory over Georgia in October 2011, Greece padded its historic football tournament résumé, most importantly by sealing an automatic berth into UEFA ‘s 2012 european Football Championship tournament. For the second time in team history the national side won its qualifying group for a major football tournament without a single loss incurred, as Greece besides went undefeated in 1994 World Cup qualifiers. Adding to its 1980, 2004 and 2008 Euro qualifying campaigns, the Georgia gloat marked the fifth clock overall that Greece has won its reservation group for a major tournament. Although their tendency to produce cocksure results remained steady throughout qualifying, thus besides did the Greeks ‘ proclivity to start games lento and concede early on goals. This habit would plague the Greeks through modify and finally tarnish their Euro 2012 performances. Over two qualifying contests, Greece trailed Georgia on the scoreboard for 130 of 180 minutes and even managed to grab four of six possible points in the standings by means of three late strikes. Goals scored in the dying minutes of games, much coming from defenders, became slightly of a greek key signature on Group F ‘s table. In fact Greece was able to take and keep a first-half contribute just once in ten games, the 3–1 home get the better of of Malta which was ranked 50th of 53 teams in Europe. In Malta, a last-second tie-breaking strike from defender Vasilis Torosidis pocketed a crucial excess two points in the standings for Greece, the same number of points it held over Croatia at the end of qualifying. Despite allowing weaker teams in the group to bring the game to them, the Greeks admirably held herculean Croatia scoreless through two meetings and deservedly won Group F four days after a decisive 2–0 home plate gain versus the second-place Croats. Fanis Gekas, who retired from national team servicing in 2010 after Fernando Santos ‘ third game as coach, came out of retirement in time to contribute a goal to the solution. Gekas was finally included in Santos ‘s 23-man Euro 2012 roll, leaving out Euro 2004 hero Angelos Charisteas who scored the group-clinching goal in the aforesaid greek qualifying victory in Georgia .
Group stage in Poland [edit ]
“ Shades of 2004 ” was a normally perceive composition regarding the buildup to Euro 2012 for the Greeks and their progress through the tournament. As in 2004 Greece was drawn into the same group as the host nation, Poland on this affair, and besides had the pressure of playing in the tournament ‘s opening match. Two familiar foes from its 2004 championship run, Russia and Czech Republic, joined Greece and Poland in Group A on 2 December 2011 at the tournament ‘s final examination draw in Kiev. Upon drawing the lowest-ranked teams from Pots 1 and 2 vitamin a well as the second-lowest from Pot 4, Greece ‘s prospects of passing the group stage at Euro 2012 were given a boost. Ideas of steering “ To Piratiko ” to a dream startle in host-nation territory as Greece did in Portugal eight years before, quickly turned sourness during the open match ‘s first half. From the beginning the Greeks appeared uncomfortable holding the ball for farseeing spells and seemed capacity to allow hosts Poland to push numbers forward with the ball, hoping to score through counter-attacks. however, Poland made the most of its early monomania, as top scorer Robert Lewandowski converted a header from a finish line traverse past a hurrying Kostas Chalkias. Hope and momentum continued to tip in favor of Poland when Sokratis Papastathopoulos received his second yellow card of the game in just the 44th moment from spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo. The Greeks, however, began to boss the game after halftime while playing down a man. Dimitris Salpingidis made the greatest impact on the game for Greece as a second-half substitute, making brilliant penetrate runs behind the polish defense mechanism, finally bringing the game level 1–1 on a err by Poland keeper Wojciech Szczęsny. Salpingidis was then creditworthy for levelling up the numbers for the Greeks when Szczęsny made a red-card disgusting on Salpingidis ‘ breakaway try on goal in the 68th minute. But greek captain Giorgos Karagounis ‘ subsequent penalty complain was turned away by ersatz keeper Przemysław Tytoń. A second goal by Salpingidis was disallowed as he was assisted by an offside Kostas Fortounis, denying Greece ‘s best opportunity to take three points from what ended as an improbable 1–1 attract. The Czech Republic exploited Greece ‘s weakness at the left-defender position early in the second gear group stage match, notching two goals in the beginning six minutes. just as Poland had, the Czechs repeatedly penetrated the Greek back wrinkle behind left-side defender José Cholevas, scoring on a through-ball and a crossbreed from Cholevas ‘ side. Petr Čech ‘s faux pas on a Georgios Samaras crisscross in the second half turned into a give goal for Fanis Gekas. The Czechs then eased off on their early pressure, opting to sit back and guard their lead for much of the second half, but Gekas ‘ finish was excessively little excessively late. Greece lost the match 2–1, placing them at the foot of Group A in indigence of a victory over the attack-minded Russians to advance to the hard rounds. After thrashing the Czech Republic 4–1 and displaying more nauseating potency in a 1–1 pull with Poland, the Russians were favored to earn the one sharpen they needed to advance against the Greeks, particularly since defeating the team in both of the previous two european Championships. however, Greece delivered a trademark 1–0 defensive victory and advanced to the Euro 2012 quarterfinals. [ 33 ] The Greeks scored when russian defender Sergei Ignashevich errantly headed a Greece throw-in behind the russian refutation for Giorgos Karagounis to pounce on. Greece ‘s captain sprinted in on goal and struck the ball at the back stake under keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev in first-half stop time to send the Russians reeling into the footlocker rooms. Ignashevich appeared to have conceded an extra fortunate seduce opportunity for Greece upon tripping Karagounis in the Russian penalty area early on in the second half, but referee Jonas Eriksson rather booked Karagounis for what he believed to be simulation. This being Karagounis ‘ moment yellow card of the tournament, Greece was to be without its suspend captain in the following turn. With that victory, Greece qualified to the quarterfinals for a second time after their successful Euro 2004 campaign .
Greece played against Germany for a place in the semi-finals of Euro 2012 but they were eliminated after a 4–2 passing in the quarter-final match. In the quarter-finals, Greece met with a Germany side that won all three of its group matches against Portugal, Denmark and the Netherlands. Greece applied very little pressure in the midfield in the open period, slowing the tempo of the game and affording the Germans the majority of possession. Young Sotiris Ninis switched off momentarily in defense, allowing german captain Philipp Lahm to cut baseball diamond and open the grade with a long-distance strike. Yet the Greeks remained calm air as in Georgios Samaras they carried a changeless terror. On the counter-attack, they pulled level early in the second half ; regaining possession in their defensive third base, Giorgos Fotakis found Dimitris Salpingidis streaking 40 yards deep into german district. Salpingidis delivered a ball five yards in front of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, which Samaras was able to meet and power underneath Neuer for the counterweight. Twenty minutes late, however, the Germans led 4–1. Greece scored an 89th-minute penalty kick by Salpingidis, but the pit ended 4–2 to the Germans, ending Greece ‘s Euro 2012 political campaign .
2014 World Cup [edit ]
Qualifying [edit ]
greek national team in 2013 To reach the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Greece had to contend with a team on the rise in Bosnia and Herzegovina and a dangerous slovakian side apparently in decline since its memorable 2010 World Cup qualifying and finals performances. Latvia, a conversant qualification enemy for Greece in its former two major tournaments ( 2010 World Cup, Euro 2012 ), joined the affray ampere well. Ahead of those aforesaid tournaments, Bosnia doubly narrowly missed out on its first major international tournament appearance due to consecutive playoff defeats at the hands of Portugal. No playoff would be necessity for Bosnia in 2013, as it won its qualifying group over Greece on goal difference. The decisive match was in Bosnia on 22 March, when Greece succumbed to three set-piece goals ( two free-kick headers and one penalty neglect rally ) in a 3–1 kill. Greece ‘s department of defense proved rigid throughout qualifying, conceding zero goals in open play. Four goals were allowed by the Greeks in ten games, the foremost of which was a penalty by Latvia, and however four goals were excessively many for a relatively unproductive greek assail to overcome. Though Greece was shut out just once, the team entirely managed to score 12 goals, an output signal Bosnia reached in its second game. Following group play Romania, which claimed second stead over Hungary and Turkey in a group dominated by the Dutch, awaited Greece in a two-legged playoff. The last meter the two sides met in late 2011, Romania came into Greece and dealt Fernando Santos his first frustration as Greece director in his 18th game at the helm. The Greeks reversed the prior 3–1 leave in their favor this time, scoring each goal through adept one-touch exceed and finish. Kostas Mitroglou accounted for three of Greece ‘s four goals in a 4–2 aggregate playoff victory, though none were actual game-winners. Dimitris Salpingidis notched the crippled achiever in Athens, while the second branch finished 1–1 in Bucharest. [ 34 ]
Finals [edit ]
Aracaju was chosen as the team ‘s base camp for the tournament in Brazil. [ 35 ] [ 36 ] [ 37 ] Greece was drawn into Group C with Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire and Japan and ultimately created an inordinately similar tournament know as it did two years anterior at Euro 2012. The Greeks conceded an early goal in their beginning game against Colombia, but Panagiotis Kone narrowly missed equalizing equitable one infinitesimal after Colombia ‘s fifth-minute finish. Trailing 2–0 in the 63rd infinitesimal, Fanis Gekas ‘ header from six yards struck the crossbar for Greece ‘s best probability of the match. The Colombians proved to be the more clinical finishers, prevailing 3–0 despite an even number of shots for both teams and a slender monomania advantage in Greece ‘s favor. [ 38 ] To stave off the threat of elimination, the Greeks needed to earn at least a degree in their irregular meet with Japan, who sat alongside them at the bed of Group C. The job grew more unmanageable once captain Kostas Katsouranis received two yellow cards, reducing Greece to ten men in the 38th minute. The Greeks held out for a 0–0 draw and remained tied with Japan on points. The draw made it necessary for Greece to defeat Ivory Coast in their final examination group match in order to reach the cycle of 16 for the first base time in their history. An early injury to midfielder Panagiotis Kone brought on young Olympiacos midfielder Andreas Samaris, who would score his beginning external goal after intercepting a poor back-pass by an Ivorian defender. Swansea City striker Wilfried Bony equalized for Ivory Coast in the 73rd hour. In the first gear moment of blockage time, Ivory Coast striker Giovanni Sio obstructed a Samaras blast by clipping him from behind in the Ivorian punishment area, resulting in a greek punishment kick which Samaras converted with 30 seconds remaining in the bet on, prompting wild celebrations in Greece. [ 39 ] As Group C runner-up Greece was paired in the round of 16 with Group D shock winners Costa Rica, who won their first-ever World Cup group stage ahead of early universe champions Uruguay, Italy and England. Trailing 1–0 but handed an advantage by the judgment of dismissal of rib Rican Óscar Duarte, the Greeks forced supernumerary prison term through a Sokratis Papastathopoulos equalizer ten seconds into blockage meter. This was the merely goal that Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas conceded in open looseness throughout the tournament. Navas thwarted respective opportunities for the Greeks throughout the 30 minutes of extra meter and saved Fanis Gekas ‘ penalty in the game ‘s concluding penalty gunfight. Costa Rica claimed its inaugural World Cup smasher stage victory and denied Greece its first gear by defeating the Greeks 5–3 on penalties .
euro 2016 stipulate : reorganization and refuse [edit ]
The team appointed Claudio Ranieri as fountainhead coach in July 2014. He was sacked in November of the same class after a lurid home defeat to the Faroe Islands. [ 40 ] Sergio Markarián was appointed in his position, but he excessively has come under arouse, specially after a moment loss at the pass of the Faroe Islands and the team ‘s frightful performances in the remaining UEFA Euro 2016 qualify. The team ‘s shape after September 2014 proved to be abysmal, with no wins in over a class, losing to Romania, the Faroe Islands ( twice ), Finland, Northern Ireland and tied Luxembourg in a friendly match over that period. Greece finished in bottom place in their Euro Qualifying group, earning barely one victory against Hungary in the final round, and failing to qualify for the tournament. Greece, along with the Netherlands and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the lone nations from Pot 1 not to qualify for the finals. Those three had taken part in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Incidentally, the three teams would besides fail to qualify for the World Cup in 2018 .
2018 World Cup qualify : revival [edit ]
In attempting to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Greece would suffer a second consecutive failure to reach a major tournament. They finished second in Group H of the European passing stages, nine points behind fugitive leaders Belgium and only two points clear up of one-third placed Bosnia and Herzegovina. Greece began their qualification campaign well with three straight wins against Gibraltar, Cyprus and Estonia, alone conceding one goal in the procedure, and they remained unbeaten for seven matches after drawing their adjacent four games ; two of which ended 1–1 in succession against Bosnia and Belgium, and the other two ended 0–0 in the return fixtures against Bosnia and Estonia. Greece then lost 2–1 to group leaders Belgium, but managed to beat Cyprus and Gibraltar to ensure second place in the group, and qualification for the play-off round. Greece were subsequently drawn against Croatia in the play-off rung, where they were knocked out over two legs ; a 4–1 away kill set the spirit for Greece ‘s crusade, and in the second leg they drew a blank in a 0–0 stalemate against the Croats to signify the end of their World Cup hopes. Kostas Mitroglou finished as Greece ‘s top scorekeeper throughout their campaign, scoring six goals. [ 41 ]
2018–19 Nations League [edit ]
Greece had to start their UEFA Nations League in League C due to previously poor people operation. In their beginning Nations League, Greece was drawn with Finland, Estonia and Hungary. The Greeks won and lost three games each to these opponents all in all, and entirely finished third in the Nations League and was unable to promote to League B when the UEFA revised the format .
euro 2020 qualify : Small lift, fall and predict end [edit ]
Greece ‘s qualification campaign for UEFA Euro 2020 commenced with the team being placed in Group J, which started well with a 2–0 away win against Liechtenstein. For their future game an away match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, saw Bosnia take a 2–0 head before half-time, but Greece scored two goals, leading to a 2–2 draw. however, they lost the following two matches, which were both at dwelling, being defeated 0–3 by Italy and succumbing to a storm 2–3 frustration to Armenia. It got worse for them after a 1–0 away personnel casualty to Finland and then a home draw with Liechtenstein. Due to these disappointing results, John van ‘t Schip decided not to call-up some of the leading members of the police squad, such as Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Kostas Manolas for their future matches. A more youthful Greek team showed a massive improvement in their attack and pressing style of play. In the final three games Greece achieved consecutive victories with a 2–1 acquire against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a 1–0 away victory over Armenia and recovering from a goal down to win 2–1 against Finland at family. Greece finished third base in the final examination mesa but this was still not enough to earn a play-off spot .
2020–21 Nations League [edit ]
Having been forced to remain in League C due to poor performance, Greece had to start its campaign on their quest to be promoted. Being drawn with Slovenia, Kosovo and Moldova, the Greeks started with a disappoint scoreless away draw to Slovenia, before gaining an important 2–1 away win over Kosovo, allowing Greece to occupy the top spot for the first time in the competition.
Read more: S.S. Lazio
home stadium [edit ]
The Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, the home grind of Greece from 2004 until 2017. traditionally, Greece have spent most of their history playing their home matches in unlike stadiums chiefly in or near Athens, but besides in a phone number of other cities around the country. The home labor of the national team was the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, since its reconstruction in 2004 until 2017. [ 42 ] Since their beginning external repair in 1929 and for the future 33 years, Greece regularly used Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium as their home land. Their inaugural home match away from it was played at the Nikos Goumas Stadium in 1962, while the Karaiskakis Stadium was used for the beginning time in 1964, when it was renovated. In 1966, Kaftanzoglio Stadium in Thessaloniki became the foremost stadium outside of the Athens area to be used. Since then all of these stadiums were alternately used until the early 1980s, while a few other stadiums were inaugurated by the national team vitamin a well such as Thessaloniki ‘s Toumba Stadium and Harilaou Stadium in 1975 and 1977 respectively. Greece besides held matches at other home grounds outside of the two major cities in 1976, such as Panachaiki Stadium in Patras and Kavala Stadium in Kavala. In 1982, Georgios Kamaras Stadium was added to the list of home grounds for the national team, the first in Athens out of the three major stadiums. On 16 November 1983, the newly built Athens Olympic Stadium, to go steady the largest stadium in the country, housed the national team for the first clock time in a modifier for UEFA Euro 1984 against Denmark. It served as the primary family establish for the team for the stay of the 1980s and the 1990s, until 2001 when it was closed for renovations. meanwhile, a large issue of matches were held in assorted stadiums including old choices and some new in provincial cities all over the area, something that did not change until the early 2000s, when the Athens Olympic Stadium was about abandoned. Since 2004 Greece has chiefly used Karaiskakis Stadium, with identical few of Greece ‘s matches being played in early stadiums. They returned to OAKA in 2018 for a friendly against Switzerland and announced they would play their base matches for the new UEFA Nations League there, as well. [ 43 ] For the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers, they were slated to split fourth dimension between OAKA in Athens, and the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion on the island of Crete, but with the latter requiring upgrades to be fit for FIFA standards, the stallion campaign was held in Athens .
team image [edit ]
Greece ‘s traditional colours are blue and white, originating from the greek flag. Although gloomy was used as the home kit out since the team ‘s origin, whiten became the elementary family color following UEFA Euro 2004. In holocene decades, Greece wear either a set of white jerseys, shorts and socks, or an all-blue combination. once, the kit consisted of a combination of blue jerseys and white shorts and vice versa. meanwhile, Greece ‘s kit out has occasionally featured stripes, crosses or other designs, angstrom well as respective values of blue. On 10 April 2013, the Hellenic Football Federation announced a partnership with american english manufacturer Nike, which is Greece ‘s stream official supplier, with their beginning kit out debuting on 7 June 2013 in the away match to Lithuania. [ 44 ] [ 45 ] On 4 March 2014, Greece unveiled their latest kit besides worn at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. [ 46 ] The crest ( εθνόσημο means “ national sign ” ), [ 47 ] which is used in the kit, is the official emblem of the national team. [ 48 ]
Nicknames [edit ]
traditionally, Greece is referred to by the media and the Greeks in general merely as Ethniki ( Εθνική ) in Greek, which literally means ‘National ‘. The team is much called Galanolefki ( Sky blue-white ) ascribable to the use of the color of the greek flag as kit color. Both nicknames are used for the country ‘s national teams in early sports as well. During the opening ceremony at the UEFA Euro 2004, which took place right before the inaugural game of the tournament between Greece and hosts Portugal, a replica of a 16th-century ship was used referring to the expeditions of the portuguese explorers of that time. greek radio sports diarist Georgios Helakis, while broadcasting the first step match, commented that “since the Portuguese team appeared in such a ship, it’s time for us to become pirates and steal the victory”. finally, Greece beat the hosts and the team was described as Piratiko, meaning the ‘Pirate embark ‘, which emerged as the modern dub of the team repeated at every gain during the tournament. specially after the greek win in the final examination to Portugal, the newly dub was established to commemorate the coronation of Greece as european champions .
Rivalries [edit ]
Greece has a historic competition with Turkey ; having played them a total of 13 times, winning three, drawing three and losing seven games. [ 49 ] Both countries have been described as “ punching above their burden ” ; with Greece winning Euro 2004 despite being classified as underdog prior to the contest, and Turkey followed-up their World Cup semi-final appearance in 2002 by advancing to the semi-finals of Euro 2008, where they were knocked out by Germany. Due to tension between the two countries and the dispute over Cyprus, coupled with several incidents occurring during matches between Turkish and Greek clubs, it has been described as one of the biggest international football rivalries. [ 50 ]
Media coverage [edit ]
Greece ‘s qualify matches and friendlies are presently televised by Cosmote Sport and Open TV, a hallmark of Digea .
Results and fixtures [edit ]
The follow is a list of meet results from the previous 12 months, american samoa good as any future matches that have been scheduled. For all past match results of the national team, see the team’s results page.
2021 [edit ]
Greece
Honduras 28 March 2021 Friendly 2–1Thessaloniki, Greece17:00 UTC+3
- Pavlidis
14 ‘, 59 ‘
Report
- Rodríguez 41 ‘
Stadium: Toumba Stadium
Attendance: Behind closed doors
Referee: Urs Schnyder (Switzerland)
Coaching staff [edit ]
- As of 26 November 2021
Coaching history [edit ]
The pursue table lists all assigned football managers for the national team and their record since Greece ‘s first international game in April 1929 .
Updated 14 November 2021
[ * ] Greece sanctioned for fielding ineligible player ( Apostolos Giannou ) in the international friendly match played between Turkey and Greece on 17 November 2015. The match is declared to be lost by forfeit and awarded 3–0 in favor of Turkey .
Players [edit ]
For all past and present players who have appeared for the national team, see List of Greece international footballers
current squad [edit ]
The stick to players were called for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Spain on 11 November 2021 and against Kosovo on 14 November 2021 .
Caps and goals correct as of : 14 November 2021, after the equal against Kosovo
recent call-ups [edit ]
The following players have besides been called up to the Greece police squad within the survive twelve months .
player records [edit ]
- As of 14 November 2021[52]
- Players in bold are still active, at least at club level.
Most cap players [edit ]
Greece ‘s iconic midfielder and former captain Giorgos Karagounis is the most capped musician in the history of the national team with 139 caps .
top goalscorers [edit ]
Captains [edit ]
list of captainship periods of the respective captains throughout the years .
competitive record [edit ]
competitive results [edit ]
These are Greece ‘s results in the three major competitions that they have participated in. The results in the main tournaments have been listed directly in the sum column. Updated 14 November 2021
Competition
Total
Home
Away
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
W
D
L
GF
GA
W
D
L
GF
GA
FIFA World Cup
146
58
35
53
172
199
−27
35
16
17
95
62
23
19
36
77
137
UEFA Euro
136
61
28
47
185
157
+28
37
4
19
108
67
24
24
28
77
90
FIFA Confederations Cup
3
0
1
2
0
4
−4
–
–
–
–
–
0
1
2
0
4
UEFA Nations League
12
6
3
3
10
6
+2
3
2
1
4
1
3
1
2
6
5
Total
297
125
67
105
367
366
+1
75
22
37
207
130
50
45
68
160
236
FIFA World Cup [edit ]
FIFA World Cup record
reservation record
Year
Result
Position
*
Squad
1930
Did not enter
Did not enter
1934
Did not qualify
1
0
0
1
0
4
1938
3
2
0
1
5
12
1950
Did not enter
Did not enter
1954
Did not qualify
4
2
0
2
3
2
1958
4
0
1
3
2
9
1962
4
1
0
3
3
8
1966
6
2
1
3
10
14
1970
6
2
3
1
13
9
1974
4
0
0
4
5
11
1978
4
1
1
2
2
6
1982
8
3
1
4
10
13
1986
6
1
2
3
5
10
1990
6
1
2
3
3
15
1994
Group stage
24th
3
0
0
3
0
10
Squad
8
6
2
0
10
2
1998
Did not qualify
8
4
2
2
11
4
2002
8
2
1
5
7
17
2006
12
6
3
3
15
9
2010
Group stage
25th
3
1
0
2
2
5
Squad
12
7
3
2
21
10
2014
Round of 16
13th
4
1
2
1
3
5
Squad
12
9
2
1
16
6
2018
Did not qualify
12
5
5
2
18
10
2022
8
2
4
2
8
8
2026
To be determined
Total
Round of 16
3/22
10
2
2
6
5
20
—
136
56
33
47
167
179
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
UEFA european backing [edit ]
UEFA european championship record
Qualifying record
Year
Result
Position
*
Squad
1960
Did not qualify
2
0
1
1
2
8
1964
Did not enter
Withdrew
1968
Did not qualify
5
2
1
2
7
8
1972
6
1
1
4
3
8
1976
6
2
3
1
12
9
1980
Group stage
8th
3
0
1
2
1
4
Squad
6
3
1
2
13
7
1984
Did not qualify
8
3
2
3
8
10
1988
8
4
1
3
12
13
1992
8
3
2
3
11
9
1996
10
6
0
4
23
9
2000
10
4
3
3
13
8
2004
Champions
1st
6
4
1
1
7
4
Squad
8
6
0
2
8
4
2008
Group stage
16th
3
0
0
3
1
5
Squad
12
10
1
1
25
10
2012
Quarter-finals
7th
4
1
1
2
5
7
Squad
10
7
3
0
14
5
2016
Did not qualify
10
1
3
6
7
14
2020
10
4
2
4
12
14
2024
To be determined
To be determined
Total
1 Title
4/16
16
5
3
8
14
20
—
119
56
24
39
170
136
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
UEFA Nations League [edit ]
UEFA Nations League record
Season**
Division
Group
2018–19
C
2
6
3
0
3
4
5
33rd
2020–21
C
3
6
3
3
0
6
1
37th
2022–23
C
To be determined
Total
12
6
3
3
10
6
33rd
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
- **Group stage played home and away. Flag shown represents host nation for the finals stage.
FIFA Confederations Cup [edit ]
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Greece’s Confederations Cup history
First Match
BrazilGreece
(Leipzig, Germany; 16 June 2005)
Biggest Win
None
Biggest Defeat
BrazilGreece
(Leipzig, Germany; 16 June 2005)
Best Result
Group stage (2005)
Worst Result
Group stage (2005)
Olympic Games [edit ]
mediterranean Games [edit ]
FIFA ranking history [edit ]
Greece ‘s history in the FIFA World Rankings. The postpone shows the position that Greece held in December of each year ( and the stream position as of 2020 ), a well as the highest and lowest positions per annum .
Year
Position
Highest
Lowest
1993
34
32
36
1994
28
28
37
1995
34
23
34
1996
35
30
45
1997
42
29
46
1998
53
42
66
1999
34
30
46
2000
42
31
42
2001
57
43
61
2002
48
46
59
2003
30
26
48
2004
18
14
36
2005
16
12
20
2006
16
14
32
2007
11
11
16
2008
20
8
20
2009
13
11
20
2010
11
11
13
2011
14
8
14
2012
13
10
15
2013
12
11
16
2014
24
10
25
2015
41
24
44
2016
42
37
52
2017
47
38
47
2018
43
42
47
2019
54
43
60
2020
53
53
54
- FIFA-ranking yearly averages for Greece[53]
tete-a-tete record [edit ]
- As of 14 November 2021, after the match against
Kosovo
positive Record Neutral Record Negative Record
a ) Two games were against Great Britain ‘s Olympic team but were recognised as official games of the Greek National Team by the Hellenic Football Federation
Honours [edit ]
The Greek national team at the trophy ceremony
early awards [edit ]
See besides [edit ]
References [edit ]
far reading [edit ]
- Αρβανίτης, Στάθης (2004). Εθνική Ελλάδος Ποδοσφαίρου 1929-2004 ( in Greek ). Εκδόσεις Καστανιώτης. ISBN 960-03-3778-0.
- Μαμουζέλος, Γιάννης Ν. & Νταβέλος, Θοδωρής (2007). 100 χρόνια Εθνική Ελλάδας ( in Greek ). Αθήνα, Ελλάδα: Εκδόσεις Άγκυρα. ISBN 978-960-42-2497-5.
- Φασούλας, Χρήστος & Κοντολέων, Δομήνικος (2008). Εθνική Ελλάδος γεια σου! ( in Greek ). Εκδόσεις Παπαδόπουλος. ISBN 978-960-41-2819-8.
- Σαμπράκος, Βασίλης (2018). Εξηγώντας το Θαύμα ( in Greek ). Εκδόσεις Τόπος. ISBN 978-960-499-273-7.