Euro 2012: Why Football Fans Should Love Greece

The Greek national team pulled a shocking win Saturday, beating Russia 1-0 and advancing to the Euro 2012 quarterfinals. It was the second time that Greece has shocked the football world, with their 2004 triumph being their greatest achievement.

On a fateful night, it was time for team captain Giorgos Karagounis to become the hero, as he was the one who scored the winner late in the first half. Russia was the better side until that moment, but a turnover was enough to fall behind and ultimately lose the game and the qualification.

The second half saw Greece playing its favorite style of football: 11-man defense. For most of the time, the Greeks had 11 players behind the kickoff line and they were doing their best to keep the ball as far away as possible from their box. The Russians tried to find ways to get in the area and space to shoot, but they were hopeless.

Honestly, it was not an attractive game, especially from the Greek team’s side. There’s not much to like in a team that plays defense for more than 45 minutes, trying to destroy the opponent’s offensive plan.

However, this was not a friendly match. It was all about getting in the tournament’s quarterfinals, and Greece did what it could to get it done.

The Greek players showed unmatched fighting spirit, and despite being the less talented side they won the game. That was their plan, they executed it more than well and there’s nothing bad in that. And there’s a lot to like when the underdog beats the favorite.

Greece proved that their Euro 2004 miracle was anything but a lucky random result. Greece is nowhere near France, Italy and Germany, but as long as its players decide to give everything they have on the pitch, they will be tough to bring down.

Fancy dribbling, tricky passing combinations and high-scoring games will always be the fans’ favorite. However, nothing beats passion and effort to conquer what looks impossible and Greece can bring that to the table.