Ethniki Best Moments In Mixed Decade

Ethniki Best Moments In Mixed Decade

Written by Nick

As this decade draws to a close and the Ethniki has played its last game for the calendar year, it is a good time to reflect on the past 10 years. This past decade can be broken down in halves for the Ethniki - almost like the old cliche "a tale of two halves". The first half of the decade saw the team achieve some of the greatest feats in the history of Greek football, whereas the second half of the decade was an unmitigated disaster on all fronts. The only saving grace to end a horror stretch of poor results, is the fact that John van't Schip is building towards a brighter future.

Despite this, the Ethniki had numerous great moments from 2010 until 2019. Here are the best wins.

Greece 2-1 Nigeria (2010 FIFA World Cup)

The tournament itself was not great from a Greek perspective, however, the team created history in a few ways in a famous come from behind win against Nigeria. After an atrocious opening match loss at the hands of South Korea, Otto Rehhagel was under pressure. Things got from bad to worse after Nigeria opened the scoring in the softest possible manner from a free kick that beat everyone, including goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas. A team predominantly filled with veterans did not panic and took full advantage after a red card to Nigeria. Dimitris Salpingidis made history by scoring goal at the World Cup just before half time. The Ethniki pushed numbers forward and wave after wave of attack paid off, as Vasilis Torosidis was in the right place at the right time to poke home a parried save from Alexandros Tziolis' initial effort. Sotiris Ninis announced himself on the global stage, a then young talent, who has now faded into oblivion. This was Greece's first ever World Cup win and it was the first time a generation of Greek football fans saw the National Team participate in a World Cup.

Greece 2-0 Croatia (2012 UEFA Euro Qualifying)

This was ultimately the decisive match that locked the Ethniki's place at UEFA Euro 2012. The two top sides of the group, battling it out for top spot and two proud footballing nations. A drama-packed night in Piraeus ensued in late 2011 as a hard-nosed and disciplined Ethniki took their chances to beat Croatia 2-0, courtesy of goals from Georgios Samaras and Theofanis Gekas, who came out of international retirement. This game is also remembered for the off-field crowd issues between the two sets of fans, as Croatian fans were targeted and hit by molotov cocktails and other objects by the home fans. The game was stopped at one stage.  

Greece 1-0 Russia (2012 UEFA Euro)

The Ethniki had developed a habit of starting poorly in major tournaments and it was no different during the group stage of UEFA Euro 2012. Questionable team selections, and bad luck with officiating and finishing contrived to give Greece a 1-1 draw with Poland in the opening game of the tournament. The team followed this up with a 2-1 loss to the Czechs, and as a result, it was backs against the wall time. No one outside the team and Greek football fans, gave Greece a hope against a free-scoring Russian outfit. Only a win would suffice to book a place in the quarter finals, and that is exactly the result the team got as underdogs. As expected, Russia had the lion's share of possession and chances but failed to break a predictably resolute Greek defence. Giorgos Karagounis struck just before half time after pouncing on an error and sent a powerful shot into the bottom left corner. The captain was instrumental in this win but was controversially booked for diving and missed the quarter final against Germany. Giorgos Tzavells also came close to putting the game beyond doubt via a great free kick in the second half. The full time whistle sounded and Greece finished ahead of their opponents through the head-to-head record. Wild scenes followed and fans were made proud after tough times for the country.

Greece 3-1 Romania (2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying)

This will go down as possibly the best game the team played this decade as they attacked with purpose from the beginning - it was a special night in Piraeus in November 2013 and consecutive World Cup appearances were booked for the first time. Heading into this match, the Ethniki lost out to top spot in the group to Bosnia, but finished second ahead of Slovakia for a play-off spot. A 'seeded' Ethniki was far too strong for Romania over tow legs, but the damage was done in the first leg. Kostas Mitroglou was unplayable in his best ever appearance in blue and white. The in-form striker scored the first goal to calm the nerves after controlling and finishing a lofted ball from Dimitris Salpingidis. Romania equalised after a defensive lapse but their joy was short-lived, as Salpingidis converted a Vasilis Torosidis cross. Mitroglou was at it again in the second half and he put the game beyond doubt. The Ethniki could have won by more, such was the team's dominance. However, it was job done and hopes were high for the World Cup.

Greece 2-1 Ivory Coast (2014 FIFA World Cup)

Once again, the Ethniki started slow in the group stage and lost to Colombia (3-0) and drew to Japan (0-0), Greece's first ever and only clean sheet at the World Cup. Much like two years earlier, only a win would suffice in the final group stage match against a talented Ivory Coast outfit which featured an array of quality players. However, Fernando Santos threw caution to the wind and finally gave Greek football fans what they wanted to see - attacking football, and it worked. Despite facing adversity as injuries took their toll (Panagiotis Kone and Orestis Karnezis came off for Andreas Samaris and Panagiotis Glykos respectively), the team came flying out of the blocks and edged a decent first half. Samaris pounced on an error at the back and played a neat one-two with Georgios Samaras, before coolly slotting home just before half time. The Ivorians equalised in the second half but it was unfair on an Ethniki side that hit the post on several occasions. As hope was fading away, Jose Holebas put a cross into the box and Samaras was fouled - all of a sudden Greece had a penalty in injury time took their place in the last 16 for the first time ever. Samaras was carrying the weight of Greeks worldwide on his shoulders but remained calm and slotted the match-winning penalty to spark truly wild and unforgettable scenes. We all know what happened against Costa Rica and a golden opportunity was missed to go even further, but the Ethniki made Greeks proud again.

Following a successful opening to the decade, on the back of a strong showing in Brazil, hopes were high heading into the future without the retired Giorgos Karagounis, among others. Claudio Ranieri wanted to build on the attacking game plan evident against the Ivorians, but the second half of this decade was a nightmare. There was a high turnover in playing personnel and coaches alike, there were rock-bottom losses to minnows too. However, it should be noted there were some decent results such as beating Australia 2-1 in Melbourne in a friendly, beating the Netherlands 3-0 away in a friendly, drawing against Belgium in Brussels 1-1, drawing at home against Bosnia 1-1 (late Giorgos Tzavellas thunderbolt), but these moments were few and far between.

Greece 2-1 Bosnia (2020 UEFA Euro qualifying)

A rivalry with Bosnia has been forged this decade as the two sides have met on numerous occasions, the atmospheres are usually intense and the games are packed with flash points. This win pales in significance compared to the other wins mentioned in this list, however, it could be a vital one moving forward. A new-look Ethniki under John van't Schip dominated Bosnia - the team kept possession than the visitors and had a whopping 27 efforts at goal. Several youngsters had great games such as Vangelis Pavlidis (the opening goal scorer), Dimitris Limnios and Kostas Galanopoulos, Dimitris Giannoulis and Pantelis Chatzidiakos. Greece's dominance paid off as the previously ostracised Giannis Fetfatzidis came off the bench and was instrumental in creating the won goal that gave the team a confidence boosting win. This was backed up by wins over Armenia and Finland (over 20 shots were had in both games). Overall, it was another failed qualifying campaign but there is now genuine optimism for the future with an array of young talents ready to take the next step.

While the last decade had its fair share of ups and downs, it is worth remembering the great moments we all shared as Greeks around the world. There was no silverware unlike the previous decade but the Ethniki put a smile on the faces of all Greeks and created several historical moments such as scoring a first ever World Cup goal, winning a World Cup match for the first ever time, and reaching the knockout stages at the biggest global sporting event for the first ever time. The scintillating attacking performances against Romania and the Ivory Coast stand out as our best efforts. Moving forward, it is hoped John van't Schip continues to build on the solid foundations laid to reach the 2022 FIFA Wrold Cup held in Qatar. 

Hellas Football.