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EspañolGREECE NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM
The 'Greece national football team' is the national football team of Greece and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation. They are the reigning European Champions.
Greece's first appearance in a major tournament was Euro 1980, but their first win did not come until the first match of Euro 2004, a 2-1 win over the hosts Portugal. Greece went on to win the tournament, stunning defending champions France in the quarterfinals and the heavily favored Czech Republic in the semifinals before beating Portugal for a second time, 1-0, in the final. Bookmakers were giving odds of about 80-1 to 150-1 for the Greeks before the tournament.
History
1980 European Football Championship
Greece made its first appearance in a major tournament at the Euro 1980 in Italy. In the competition, Greece were drawn into group A with West Germany, the Netherlands, and Czechoslovakia. In their first game with the Netherlands, Greece held the Dutch 0-0 until halftime, however the Dutch eventually triumphed after winning the game 1-0. Three days later Greece played Czechoslovakia in Rome. After keeping the Czechoslovakians to a 1-1 draw in the first half, Greece eventually lost 3-1. In their last game, Greece earned a 0-0 draw against West Germany, after the latter had already qualified. Greece were therefore eliminated with one point from three matches.
After appearing at Euro 1980, Greece did not qualify for another major tournament for fourteen years.
World Cup 1994
Greece's success in qualifying for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the USA, marked the first time they had made the FIFA World Cup finals. Greece finished first in their qualifying group, surpassing Russia in the final game - although both sides had already ensured qualification for the finals at that stage. In the final tournament Greece were drawn into group D with Nigeria, Bulgaria, and Argentina. After having a successful qualifying campaign, Greece were determined to make an impact but failed to do so. In their first game against Argentina, Greece lost 4-0. Four days later Greece suffered another 4-0 blow from Bulgaria and in their final game lost to Nigeria 2-0. In the end, Greece were eliminated in the first round by losing all three games, scoring no goals and conceding 10, thus making one of the worst records in World Cup history.
1994 to 2004
Greece failed to qualify for the Euro 1996. In their 1998 World Cup qualifying tournament Greece were only one point away from qualifying for the tournament in France just behind Croatia for second place. In their Euro 2000 qualifying group, Greece finished again in third place, two points behind second place finishers Slovenia. In the 2002 World Cup qualifying Greece finished fourth in their group.
Euro 2004 triumph
In the opening match against Portugal, Greece achieved a surprise victory by beating the hosts 2-1. After this win, the team was nicknamed "the pirate ship" by Greek sportscasters. The nickname was inspired by the opening ceremony, which was held just before the game, and involved a ship floating on the football field (a homage to Portugal's history of exploration). Greece were portrayed as the pirates who surprised the opponents and "stole" the win from their hands, a theme that would repeat itself throughout the tournament.
Four days later, Greece stunned Spain in front of a majority Spanish crowd to a 1-1 draw after being down 1-0 at half time. In the last group game, Greece went down 2-0 to Russia (who were already eliminated) but Greece managed to pull one back and thus progressed to the next round at the expense of Spain on goals scored.
In the quarterfinals Greece faced off with the reigning champions France. At 65', Greece took the lead when captain Theodoros Zagorakis flicked the ball high in the air, defeated veteran French defender Bixente Lizarazu, retained possession and then sent a perfect cross to Angelos Charisteas for the header. Greece held on to win, knocking France out of the Euro 2004 and becoming the first team ever to defeat both the hosts and defending champions in the same tournament.
Greece reached the semifinals to face the Czech Republic, who were the only team to defeat all their opponents to this point, including a convincing 3-2 win over the Netherlands, a 2-1 win over Germany, and 3-0 win over Denmark in the quarterfinals. After 90 minutes the game ended 0-0, despite Czechs having quite a few good chances that were mostly saved by the Greek goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis. In the last minute of the first half of extra time, a close range silver goal header from Traianos Dellas from a corner ended the Czech campaign, putting Greece in the final of Euro 2004.
For the first time in history (a recurring theme in this tournament), the final was a repeat of the opening game with Greece and hosts Portugal facing off in a rematch. In the 57th minute, Charisteas gave Greece the lead with a header off of a corner by Angelos Basinas. Greece held on 1-0 to win the final of Euro 2004, an achievement considered by many to be one of the greatest upsets of the century. Captain Zagorakis was named the man of the tournament.
Aftermath
Greece's victory shot them up in the FIFA World Rankings from 35th in June 2004 to 14th in July 2004. This is believed to be the largest upward move in a single month in the top echelon of the rankings.
The triumph of Greece at Euro 2004 is one of the biggest sporting achievements in the country's history for a team sport, along with the successes of the Greece national basketball team in the European Championships of 1987 (1st), 1989 (2nd), 2005 (1st) and the 2006 FIBA World Championship (2nd). The team has appeared on stamps and received medals from the President of Greece, the Archbishop of Athens, and an ecstatic ovation from the country's population which came out to see the team with the trophy from the Athens airport to the Panathinaiko Stadium where the Greek political and religious leadership was awaiting them.
The Euro 2004 winners were selected as "World Team of the Year" at the 2005 Laureus World Sports Award for Team of the Year.
2005 Confederation Cup
As Euro 2004 winners, Greece qualified for the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup in Germany. Greece were drawn into Group A with 2002 World Cup champions Brazil, 2004 Asian Cup champions Japan, and 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup champions Mexico. Greece lost 3-0 to Brazil and later 1-0 to Japan. After being already eliminated, Greece avoided being the worst team in the history of the Confederations Cup by earning a 0-0 draw with Mexico. Greece ended their disappointing campaign with a draw, two losses, and no goals.
World Cup 2006 qualifiers
After winning the Euro 2004, Greece were favorites to qualify in their group, in the 2006 World Cup qualifyings. Greece were drawn into Group 2 with Ukraine, Turkey, Denmark, Albania, Georgia and Kazakhstan. In their first qualifier Greece lost to Albania 2-1. Greece later drew with Turkey, Ukraine, and defeated Kazakhstan. On February 9, 2005 Greece defeated Denmark 2-1 to take second place, and increasing chances of qualification. Later wins against Georgia and Albania and draw with Turkey also increased these chances. However on June 8, 2005 Greece, although dominated the game, lost to Ukraine 1-0 in Athens. Greece later defeated Kazakhstan 2-1 scoring their winning goal in the 94th minute. On October 8, 2005, Greece was defeated 1-0 by Denmark in Copenhagen and chances for a qualification through a playoff were minimal. In order to make the playoff spot Greece needed a win against Georgia and needed Albania to defeat Turkey and Kazakhstan to defeat Denmark. In their last game, Greece defeated Georgia but the other games did not go in their favor. As a result Greece failed to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
After the 2006 qualifiers, many football analysts wondered what happened to the team and why they failed to make the subsequent World Cup after becoming European Champions. Most analysts concluded the Greek team were out of form and were without defender Traianos Dellas and forward Angelos Charisteas in the key games. Moreover there was a dissatisfaction with the selection of the team by Otto Rehhagel as he was sticking with exactly the same Euro 2004 squad even though some players weren't having a team. Some observers accused him of not bringing fresh talent to the national team and of insisting in not calling Ieroklis Stoltidis and Akis Zikos even though they were considered the best Greek defensive midfielders at that time.
On May 25 2006, less than a month before the opening of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Greece lost 1-0 to Australia in a friendly in front of 95,103 people at the MCG.
After the 2006 World Cup, the Greek team fell in the World ranking from 20th in May to 32nd in July. This fall put them near the ranking they had before winning Euro 2004.
In August 2006, Greece lost 4-0 to England to further question their chances of qualifying for Euro 2008, while later they lost 1-0 to France.
Euro 2008
Greece was the highest ranked seed in the 'pots' for qualification to the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship in Switzerland and Austria. Greece was drawn with Turkey, Norway, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Moldova and Malta. This is the only group which does not have a team represented in the World Cup 2006.
Greece began their Euro 2008 campaign with victories over Moldova, Norway and Bosina-Herzegovina. As a result, Greece climbed eighteen places in two months to 13th place in the October FIFA World Rankings. This was seen as a revival of the Greek team after nearly two years of poor results. On March 24, 2007 Greece lost their fourth Euro 2008 qualifier 4-1 against Turkey in Athens. Despite the defeat Stelios Giannakopoulos told reporters that Greece will take the defeat and gain maximum points against Malta on March 28, 2007. Indeed, Greece defeated Malta 1-0 with a penalty kick scored by Angelos Basinas. Greece are currently in first place in group C with 18 points, five points ahead of Bosnia, Turkey and Norway, after their home win 2-0 over Hungary and the last-minute 2-1 home win over Moldova, both games held in June.
Group C
Main articles: 2008 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying Group C
Stadium
Greece have been using the Karaiskákis Stadium in Piraeus (Olympiacos' stadium) as their home ground since they became European Champions. They used that stadium for all the home games of the World Cup 2006 qualifying round.
For the home games of the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying round Karaiskakis Stadium was used at first, but after some riots took place the National Team was forced to play at another ground for one fixture, so they moved to Pankritio Stadium. What is more, it was decided that the homefixture against Bosnia-Herzegovina is held at Athens Olympic Stadium.
In the past, Greece used several other stadiums including Kaftanzoglio Stadium, Athens Olympic Stadium, Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium, e.t.c.. For the Euro 2004 qualifying round - in which Greece ended up winning the trophy - Greece used the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium (Panathinaikos' stadium) for all their home matches.
World Cup record
★ 2006 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 2002 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1998 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1994 - 'Round 1'
★ 1990 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1986 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1982 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1978 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1974 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1970 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1966 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1962 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1958 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1954 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1950 - ''Did not enter''
★ 1938 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1934 - ''Withdrew during qualifying''
★ 1930 - ''Did not enter''
European Championship record
★ 2004 - 'Champion'
★ 2000 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1996 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1992 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1988 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1984 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1980 - 'Round 1'
★ 1976 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1972 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1968 - ''Did not qualify''
★ 1964 - ''Withdrew from qualifying''
★ 1960 - ''Did not qualify''
Confederations Cup record
★ 2005 - Round 1
Honours
★
''Other honours''
★ 'Balkan Cup'
★
★ 'Runner-up: 1' (1935)
Squad
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Strikers
Past Coaches
| Name | Career |
|---|---|
| Otto Rehhagel | 2001 - current |
| Vassilis Daniill | 1999 - 2001 |
| Anghel Iordănescu | 1998 - 1999 |
| Kostas Polychroniou | 1994 - 1998 |
| Alketas Panagoulias | 1992 - 1994 |
| Antonis Georgiadis | 1989 - 1992 |
| Alekos Sofianidis | 1988 - 1989 |
| Miltos Papapostolou | 1984 - 1988 |
| Christos Archontidis | 1982 - 1984 |
| Alketas Panagoulias | 1977 - 1982 |
| Lakis Petropoulos | 1976 - 1977 |
| Alketas Panagoulias | 1973 - 1976 |
| Billy Bingham | 1971 - 1973 |
| Lakis Petropoulos | 1969 - 1971 |
| Dan Georgiadis | 1968 - 1969 |
| Panos Markovits | 1966 - 1968 |
| Lakis Petropoulos | 1964 - 1966 |
| Tryfon Tzanetis | 1960 - 1964 |
| Paul Baron | 1959 - 1960 |
| Rino Martini | 1957 - 1959 |
| Kostas Andritsos | 1956 - 1957 |
| Ioannis Chelmis | 1955 - 1956 |
| Antonis Migiakis | 1954 - 1955 |
| Kostas Negrepontis | 1953 - 1954 |
| Antonis Migiakis | 1951 - 1953 |
| Kostas Negrepontis | 1938 - 1951 |
| Kostas Konstantaras | 1935 - 1938 |
| Apostolos Nikolaidis | 1934 - 1935 |
| Kostas Negrepontis | 1933 - 1934 |
| Lefteris Panourgias | 1932 - 1933 |
| Jan Kopsiva | 1930 - 1932 |
| Apostolos Nikolaidis | 1929 - 1930 |
Player records
As of June 6, 2007
Most capped Greece players
| # | Name | Debut | Caps | Goals | Active? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Theodoros Zagorakis | 1994 | 120 | 3 | No |
| 2 | Stratos Apostolakis | 1986 | 96 | 5 | No |
| 3 | Antonios Nikopolidis | 1997 | 80 | 0 | Yes |
| 4 | Angelos Basinas | 1999 | 79 | 5 | Yes |
| 5 | Dimitris Saravakos | 1982 | 78 | 22 | No |
Top Greece goalscorers
| # | Player | Debut | Goals | Caps | Active? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nikos Anastopoulos | 1977 | 29 | 75 | No |
| 2 | Dimitris Saravakos | 1982 | 22 | 78 | No |
| 3 | Mimis Papaioannou | 1963 | 21 | 61 | No |
| 4 | Nikos Machlas | 1993 | 18 | 61 | Yes ★ |
| 5 | Demis Nikolaidis | 1995 | 17 | 54 | No |
★ Not in the national team.
Noted Players(In Alphabetical order)
| # | Name | Debut | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandros Alexandris | 1991 | 42 | 10 |
| 2 | Nikos Anastopoulos | 1977 | 75 | 29 |
| 3 | Antonis Antoniadis | 1970 | 21 | 6 |
| 4 | Stratos Apostolakis | 1986 | 96 | 5 |
| 5 | Christos Ardizoglou | 1975 | 43 | 2 |
| 6 | Georgios Delikaris | 1971 | 32 | 7 |
| 7 | Giorgos Dedes | 1966 | 20 | 7 |
| 8 | Mimis Domazos | 1959 | 50 | 4 |
| 9 | Giorgos Foiros | 1974 | 52 | 0 |
| 10 | Grigoris Georgatos | 1996 | 35 | 3 |
| 11 | Georgios Georgiadis | 1994 | 61 | 11 |
| 12 | Kostas Iosifidis | 1974 | 51 | 2 |
| 13 | Savvas Kofidis | 1982 | 67 | 1 |
| 14 | Giorgos Kostikos | 1977 | 35 | 3 |
| 15 | Giorgos Koudas | 1967 | 43 | 4 |
| 16 | Dinos Kouis | 1979 | 33 | 7 |
| 17 | Takis Loukanidis | 1958 | 23 | 3 |
| 18 | Nikos Machlas | 1993 | 61 | 18 |
| 19 | Stelios Manolas | 1982 | 71 | 6 |
| 20 | Thomas Mavros | 1972 | 36 | 11 |
| 21 | Tasos Mitropoulos | 1978 | 76 | 8 |
| 22 | Kostas Nestoridis | 1951 | 17 | 3 |
| 23 | Demis Nikolaidis | 1995 | 54 | 17 |
| 24 | Nikos Nioplias | 1988 | 44 | 1 |
| 25 | Mimis Papaioannou | 1963 | 61 | 21 |
| 26 | Dimitris Saravakos | 1982 | 78 | 22 |
| 27 | Nikos Sarganis | 1980 | 58 | 0 |
| 28 | Giorgos Sideris | 1958 | 28 | 14 |
| 29 | Giotis Tsalouchidis | 1987 | 76 | 16 |
| 30 | Vassilis Tsiartas | 1994 | 70 | 12 |
| 31 | Kleanthis Vikelidis | 1936 | 7 | 4 |
| 32 | Thodoris Zagorakis | 1994 | 119 | 3 |
Memorable matches
Trivia
Nickname
The Greece national team is nicknamed "The Pirate Ship".
This nickname has gained much popularity after used by a Greek sports journalist George Helakis during the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament. He mentioned that the Greek team appeared like a Pirate Ship in Portugal, stole the trophy and left.
★ Some DVD collections of the tournament have also been released under the name "The Pirate Ship".
External links
★ Hellenic Football Federation
★ RSSSF archive of results 1929-
★ RSSSF archive of most capped players and highest goalscorers
★ RSSSF archive of coaches 1929-
★ Phantis Greek Soccer
Titles
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