Ethniki Omada Memorable Moments Part 1

Beautiful Portugal

Our last major tournament that I remember was USA94 and that ended in heartache. The heartache of missing out on France 98 by a whisker still present in my mind, so going in to Euro 2004 I was hoping that the team would just be competitive in the group stages and not embarrass the nation on the big stage similar to what happened 10 years beforehand.

First match, hosts Portugal, a tough opponent, sprinkled with superstars with a young gun in the making Ronaldo had me jittery before kick off. We played a simple 442 formation, each player relied on another but if you had offered me a 0-0 drab draw, a defensive masterclass then I'd of bitten your hand off to take it. BUT... what we saw was a team united in its desire to not only defend like their lives depended on it, but, contrary to what the media portrayed us as, play a bit of football and take it to this Portuguese side.

Within the first 10 minutes, Karagounis scores! I couldn't believe my eyes!  A mazy run and a hard low shot fired from outside the area was too much for the keeper to handle. We were up. This rattled the Portuguese side, with Scolari making multiple half time substitutions but it wasn't to be for them as an early second half penalty beautifully put in the top right corner by Basinas had us in the box seat and broke their heart. A late Ronaldo goal wasn't enough and we were triumphant. 2-1!

Living in Australia and having to wake up in the middle of the winter night for years to be disappointed was all wiped away by this result.

The team had belief and in turn as we all know what happened. We went on and won the whole bloody thing! it was beautiful, the celebrations, the emotions, the tears of joy. This is what dreams are made of!

The final was of course beautiful, the whole tournament will be etched in my mind but the first game will always stand out as an unforgettable moment to me.

By George for Hellas Football

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Samaras Cool as a Cucumber to Make History

Almost 4 years ago, we were wildly celebrating an historic achievement by the Ethniki Omada - progressing to the knockout stages for the first ever time in a World Cup. This came after catastrophe in the opening game against Colombia and a scoreless draw with 10 men against Japan.

In true Ethniki fashion, we did it the hard way but it was well worth it and the ensuing memories will never be taken away from us. Needing a win against the free-flowing Ivory Coast to progress, Fernando Santos set the team up to play offensive football from the beginning and it paid dividends. We hit the post on 3 separate occasions, played fast and without fear, and above all with the typical fighting spirit we were once known for.

The loss of Kostas Katsouranis to suspension perhaps forced Santos to chance his arm but it proved to be the perfect tonic as the Ethniki produced its best attacking performance in years, as evidenced by the highlights below. Jose Holebas played his best game, Giorgos Karagounis was predictably instrumental in running the game from the midfield at the age of 37.

The loss of first choice goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis due to injury did not seem to phase the team, neither did the loss of Panagiotis Kone. In fact replacements, Panagiotis Glykos pulled off an array of good saves and Andreas Samaris set the tone scoring the opening goal of the game late in the first half.

We led 1-0 at the interval and as things stood, we would have made it to the last 16 scoring only 1 goal in 3 group stage matches!

The Ivorians possessed a formidable attack but were kept largely at bay throughout, except for when Gervinho slid a ball in to Wilfried Bony to beat Glykos at his near post. As the clock wound down and the chances kept pouring in for the Ethniki, it seemed it was all but over.

However, in injury time, Holebas put in a low cross for Georgios Samaras and he was adjudged to have been fouled in the box by substitute Giovanni Sio. The referee pointed to the spot and the Greek bench went absolutely mental. Georgios Samaras stepped up to take the all-important penalty. He had the weight of the entire Greek population and diaspora on his shoulders, and he had not scored an international goal for 2 years.

He remained as cool as a cucumber throughout and went right. Ivory Coast goalkeeper, Boubacar Barry,

guessed correctly diving to his left but it was not enough. The penalty snuck in and words cannot be used to describe the scenes that followed. Words simply would not do it justice.

The players celebrated as wildly as every Greek on the planet and all of a sudden we were on our way to the Round of 16 for the first time ever against Costa Rica. Samaras was hailed as the hero but it was a team effort as we played with purpose at a high tempo, which begs the question why don't we play like this more often?

This game will remain unforgettable for myself due to the sheer drama and circumstances and it gave us all pride in hard times for the country.

By Nick Tsambouniaris for Hellas Football

__________________________________________________________________________

Booking our Ticket to Euro 2008

Having watched every qualifying game for Greece since Euro 2004 (literally) It's hard to pick just one moment that sticks out to me from the team, especially considering how successful they were during a spell that lasted between that brilliant European title and the 2014 World Cup. When considering the result of the match, what it meant to the team and the winning attitude that was cemented (in my opinion) after that match It's easy for me to choose what match was the most memorable.

October 17th 2007: Greece v Turkey (in Constantinoupoli)

The fact that this was a game against Turkey was big enough in itself considering the history between the two countries, yet there was more fuel to add to this rivalry, Turkey had just beat out Greece for 2nd place during their 2006 World Cup Qualifying campaign.

If that wasn't bad enough, in their first meeting for Euro 2008 qualifying, Greece had a demoralizing 4-1 loss at home in Piraeus putting lots of doubt in a team that till then had only one strong tournament to show for itself.  

Despite all that, Greece was in good shape going into this match as a win would guarantee them a place in Euro 2008, yet chances where spurned in the first half. Amanatidis and Theofanis Gekas had good efforts saved by Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel, Greece should have gone ahead on the stroke of halftime when Amanatidis' strike was deflected to safety and Gekas headed wide the resulting corner, Karagounis also curled an effort just wide from distance on 50 minutes.

After 79 minutes there wasn't a big chance to speak off other than those mentioned. Georgios Samaras (having come on in the 59th minute) aided by his brilliant passes/technique (which he continued over and over again for our Ethniki after) set up a great chance for Amanatidis which he had no problem finishing and with that booking our place to Euro 2008!

There have been some memorable matches for Greece in the last 30-50 years for sure, a 2-2 draw vs Eusebio's Portugal in 1969, the first draw at a major tournament (0-0 vs West Germany at Euro 1980 and of course the home win against Russia that helped Greece qualify for their first World Cup (1994) but none for me showed the capabilities, the future and the fight of the players for the country then that 1-0 win I still believe that it shaped the next 10 years of Greek football and became and example for all that the team can overcome a lot and what It's capable of.

By Pos Karantonis for Hellas Football

__________________________________________________________________________