Following Russia’s dominant display on match day one of the 2012 European Championships, where they defeated Czech Republic 4-1, Dutch coach Dick Advocaat boldly stated he boasted the best team in the competition.
One game later, the Russians cruised through to the quarter finals, despite a sub-par performance against Poland, needing only a draw.
Enter the Greeks.
Many will instantly draw similarities with the miraculous 2004 campaign, with a final group-stage hit-out against Russia and the ever-present figure of Georgos Karagounis.
In 2004, a 2-0 loss to Russian was still enough to get the Greeks through to the quarter finals.
However, last night they were playing for a win – for their campaign and for their country.
Football fans around the world may be somewhat disappointed to see Russia bow out at the hands of the Greeks.
The attacking flair they showed throughout their qualifications and international friendlies made for very exciting football.
A potential match-up against the likes of Holland or Germany could have made a football enthusiasts salivate.
Maybe that is what they needed to bring out their best football – the likes of an Italy, Spain or Holland.
Touted as a ‘lucky’ or ‘favourable’ group draw may have ultimately knocked the Russians out.
There will be many questions of the team, particularly from the Russian media about what happened and who is to blame.
After the Czech domination, where most of the world took note of a potential new force in football, perhaps the pressure became too much.
Maybe overconfidence was an issue.
Players and coach alike will be analysed and criticised.
The Russian captain may be first in line for scrutiny, with ‘lazy’ and ‘scrappy’ displays likened to the same criticism that ultimately saw him lose his spot at Arsenal.
Had Aleksandr Kerzhakov been more clinical in front of goal, things could have been very different.
Likewise, if Advocaat had started with Roman Pavlyuchenko, could this have provided the finishes that went astray?
Football can always seem unfair to the most stout of fans, where the most skilled or (arguably) exciting teams don’t always go as far as they possibly should.
However, this is the ultimate bittersweet tale that is the ‘beautiful game’.
Passion, fire and heart are all traits the Greeks showed in both 2004 and this morning’s game.
It brings about the same underdog story that grabs the interest and support of new football fans.
Even if it is temporary support of the game, maybe these results are not such a bad thing for world football.
Brian
Guest
Yes any comeback or refereeing mistake will be a bailout. I think it will take a miracle for Germany to allow Greece to stay in either Euro.
Brian
Guest
I don't see how the Greeks have been hard done by. In Game 1 yes they should not have been down to 10 men but as far as the result goes they actually played better with 10 and were given a penalty to win the game, not the referee fault it was not converted, anything after was 10 against 10. Against Russia Karagounis tripping over the Russian defender was not a penalty. In any event even if they had beaten Poland and Russia they would have at best finished 2nd so exactly where they are now. As I said I don't mind them being defensive but they are most unsportsmanlike. Unfortunately the 2004 triumph has led to the belief that any tackle is to be followed by 10 minutes of rolling around. They would good chair umpires at a Nalbandian tennis match.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
Is the Germany of Jurgen Klinsman? Is this the Greece that won in 2004? The Greece that has had the rub of the wrong refereeing decision's in this tournament?
Brian
Guest
They're also extremely unsporting the way they roll around for minutes on end wasting time. The rules around waiting for an injured player were pretty much changed for then. Lucky they've got no-nonsense Germans next 3-0 loss and then we can move on with the good teams, Germany & Spain in particular.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Was very disappointed to see Russia exit this competition. They were a delight to watch. Having said that, I'd have a heart of stone if I didn't also crack a smile at the pure joy that this Greek Football team has brought to a nation that's on its knees. Logic tells me Germany will progress to the SF but, as we know, logic has no place in knock-out football tournaments. Angela Merkel & her German citizens have been crying out for Greeks to "pay them back" ... a win to Greece would certainly be a form of "pay back"! And, if this occurs I can imagine the headline: "It was murder on the Gdańsk floor"!
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
At the same stage in 2004 (QF), Greece beat the favourites for the tournament at that stage, the French. Seeing that Spain are the probable favourites for this tournament, you could argue that Greece beating Germany is not as far fetched as the 2004 result.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
The Russians are an overrated football team and the Greeks were a very much underrated football team.. Don't be surprised if the Greeks cause the upset of the century by knocking off the Germans in extra time.. "Passion, fire and heart are all traits of the Greeks".... Gotta love 'em for it...
TomC
Guest
The Greeks one goal in that game was enough to get them through to the next round, and enough to stop Savvas from reading the rest of the article. Far reaching consequences.
Minister for Information for the Democratic People's Republic of Football
Guest
Germany vs Greece in the 1/4 final. You couldn't have scripted that. Now imagine for a moment Hellas knocking Deutschland out of the "Euro 2012 zone". However unlikely, anything is possible in football. You can say what you want about the greeks, but they certainly are a stoic and stubborn lot. Respect where respect is due.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
I stopped reading after you said 'A 2-0 loss was enough for Greece to progress in 2004'. Wrong... check your facts.
nordster
Guest
So surprising to see how his group played out. Russia looked great earlier but very flat in that last game. At least with these tournament teams they can produce some epic games even if not 'beautiful' ...and the whole political climate in europe now with the football as the backdrop or vice versa lol. Poland and Russia in the one group was one thing wow then the prospect of greece and germany ... debtor v creditor. Entertaining euros so far am enjoying them even if most my fave teams are out ...sweden, denmark, russia, netherlands ...germany still in at least
Johnno
Guest
Greece remind me of the socceroos they play good tournament football as do the socceroos. Tournament football or soccer , is like state of origin rugby league. It is a totally different format and some players are good while others don't step up. For the dutch Van Persie dominant at Arsenal and robien to , don't seem that good in tournament international football. -Harry kewell , tim cahiill for example and the rest of the golden generation have been so good at tournament football, and this greece generation euro 2004 winners seem the same. They beat Portugal in Portugal and a young christiano ronaldo and won euro 2004. -They might win in 2012 too,. Denmark euro 92 winners from no where but with some classy players, are another team that punches above it;s weight in tournament football too, as do sweden often USA 94 semi finalists, had not lost to england until this tournament in a long time. -Where as for the talent of the squads that holland have produced euro 88 winners, they have underachieved most of the time. No world cup wins in a team that had Cruyff, knocked out of France 98 with such a good squad, and euro 2000 at home in holland lost to Italy when they had 2 penalties they missed in the match when they had such a good squad, and of course lost to Spain in final in 2012 and had good chance to close the match. -So closing matches is a skill in all psorts and Holland at the crunch in torunmant football have not been good closers despite having some of the finest football talent ever, and coaches playing the total football system From Cruyff to ex socceroo assistant coach Neeskans, to Berkamp, to Guillit, to Ryckard, to Van Basten, to Van Persie, to kluivert, to staam, and edgar Davids, and goalkeppers van dar sar and De Hoye, and to Snjider and robbin, to ex soccerroo head coach and great player Hiddink. But still just 1 won major tournament euro 88, like england won major tournamant world cup 66 at wembley.