These are the 3 biggest successes of the Greek national soccer team
Greece is a proud nation that boasts success on the international soccer stage. In this article, we will highlight three of the biggest successes of the Greek National Soccer Team.
The Greek national soccer team, also known as the Piratiko (The Pirate Ship), Ethniki (The National) and Galanolefki (The Sky Blues and Whites)’, represents Greece in international soccer competitions and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation. The team has a long history, dating back to 1929 when they played their first official international match against Italy. The Ethniki have experienced a mix of success and disappointment throughout their history.
In this article, we will highlight three of the biggest successes of the Greek National Soccer Team:
Euro 2004: Champions
Greece's biggest success on the international stage came in 2004 when they shocked the soccer world by winning the European Championship. Led by German coach Otto Rehhagel, the Greeks defeated the likes of Portugal, France, and the Czech Republic en route to the title. They became the first team to win the tournament without scoring more than two goals in any match, and their defensive approach proved effective as they conceded only four goals in six games.
Euro 2012: Quarterfinals
Greece made it to the quarterfinals of the European Championship in 2012, four years after their historic triumph. They finished second in their group behind Russia, but managed to beat Russia in the quarterfinals to advance to the last eight. However, they were eventually knocked out by Germany.
World Cup 2014: Round of 16
Greece made their first appearance in the FIFA World Cup in 1994, where they failed to advance past the group stage. They returned to the World Cup in 2010, but were eliminated in the first round. In 2014 they returned to the World Cup Finals and this time they managed to make it to the knockout stages, where they were eliminated by surprise team Costa Rica in the round of 16 via penalty kicks.
