Euro 2012 team preview: Greece

Greece
Population: 11.3 M.
Capital: Athens.
FA foundation: 1926.
Affiliation to FIFA: 1927.
Affiliation to UEFA: 1954.
Head Coach: Fernando Santos.

Greece has always been considered an easy hunt for other teams in Europe. A Team you can beat away from home and crash with your fans behind.

Logically, the start was nothing but painful as Greece lost to France in the 1960 qualifiers by seven goals to one in Paris before holding for a 1-1 draw in Athens.

The Blue white withdrew from the following qualifiers to avoid facing war enemies Albania.

TWO DECADES OF DISAPOINTMENT

Greece came close to reaching the 1968 finals as they topped their qualifying group with two rounds to go, but finally finished with two points behind USSR.

Panathinaikos reached the European Cup final in 1971, but the national team still couldn’t make it to Euro 1972 finishing seven points behind group winners England.

During the 1976 qualifiers, the Greeks proved to be a competent rival to title holders Germany as they held them to two draws; 2-2 in Athens and 1-1 in Dusseldorf.

However, a defeat in Malta ended Greece hopes of reaching the finals.

Greece finally made their debut in the finals during Euro 1980 after topping a tough group over Hungary, USSR and Finland.

In Italy, Greece collected one point in the first round losing to both the Netherlands and reigning champions the Czech Republic before holding eventual winners Germany to a goalless draw.

Nikos Anastopoulos wrote his name in record books as he scored against the Czechs the first ever goal for Greece in an international tournament.

Despite holding England to a 0-0 draw Wembley, Greece finished third in the qualifying group for Euro 1984.

A Similar scenario took place in the qualifiers for Euro 1988 as Greece finished five points behind group winners the Netherlands despite another infamous 1-1 draw in Amsterdam.

GREECE REMAINED ABSENT

Greece continued to be absent from the tournament in 1992 failing to overcome the Netherlands and Portugal.

The first ever World Cup appearance in 1994 raised hopes during the Euro 1996 qualifiers, but Greece once again trailed behind Russia and Scotland.

Only two points separated Greece from reaching the finals of Euro 2000, as they finished third in the qualification group behind Norway and Slovenia.

NEW COACH AND A NEW ERA OF SUCCESS?

Greece under Coach Otto Rehhaegel had a disastrous start in the Euro 2004 qualifiers losing to Spain in Athens and away to Ukraine, but six consecutive wins helped the team top the group and book a place in the finals.

Greece stunned hosts Portugal in the Euro 2004 opener, winning the game 2-1 before holding Spain to 1-1 draw to qualify for the quarterfinals despite losing their final tie in the first round to Russia.

Angelos Charisteas header gave Greece a memorable 1-0 victory over France, before Traianos Dellas headed into the Czech net in the semis to take his country to the final in the biggest surprise of the tournament.

Another header from Charisteas shocked Portugal once again in the final as Greece left the bottom of the continent to stand on top and lift the trophy.

Greece had a thrilling qualifying campaign for Euro 2008, collecting 31 points to top the group over arch rivals Turkey who recorded a 4-1 victory in Athens before losing 0-1 in Istanbul.

The title holders had a poor showing in the finals as they lost all their three games against Sweden, Russia and Spain.