Remembering Greece's Struggle in the 2014

Remembering Greece's Struggle in the 2014

 World Cup Brazil's 2014 World Cup is the third World Cup tournament that the Greek national team has participated in. Georgios Samaras and colleagues qualified for Brazil after overcoming obstacles from Romania in the playoffs.

The team nicknamed Ethniki was then joined in Group C with Colombia, Japan, and Ivory Coast. In the inaugural party against Colombia, Greece had to be willing to swallow a bitter result after being crushed by James Rodriguez and colleagues with a score of 0-3.

Then in the second matchday, Greece were held to a draw by Japan with a score of 0-0 so that their chances of qualifying for the next round were determined in the last match against Ivory Coast. Then, Ethniki won an important victory with a score of 2-1 over Les léphants while locking the runner-up position in Group C.

In the last 16, Fernando Santos' team was awaited by the Costa Rica national team, who unexpectedly managed to win Group D by eliminating Italian and English.

Samaras Penalty Controversy

Ivory Coast supporters at the Estadio Governador, Fortaleza, are ready to cheer for their team's success. In the final match of Group C, Ivory Coast only needed a draw to win a ticket to the round of 16.

However, disaster came in the 90+3 minute when Jose Holebas sent a pull bait from the left side of the Ivory Coast defense. Georgios Samaras who was escorted by Giovanni Sio in the middle of the penalty box fell when he was about to take a first time kick.

Referee Carlos Vera also awarded a penalty for Greece which was successfully executed by Samaras into a goal. The penalty is a bit controversial, because the video footage shows that there was no contact between Giovanni Sio and Samaras in the penalty box.

Aground in the Hands of Costa Rica

Asa repeated the surprise at the 2004 European Cup to be buried, after Greece was defeated by Costa Rica on penalties in the 2014 World Cup round of 16. In that match, Ethniki and Costa Rica were able to draw 1-1 in normal time and in extra time.

Costa Rica took the lead through a kick outside the penalty box from Bryan Ruiz in the 51st minute. However, a few seconds before the end, in the 90th minute, Sokratis Papastathopoulos managed to equalize from a shot in the Costa Rica defense area. The score is 1-1.

In the extra time, the two teams did not produce significant opportunities, so they had to continue with the high-fives round. Theofanis Gekas was the executor who failed to hit Keylor Navas' goal, while all of Costa Rica's kickers were able to carry out their duties well.

Fernando Santos' cold hand

Otto Rehhagel was officially sacked after failing to make achievements at the 2010 World Cup and was replaced by Fernando Santos. In the hands of the Portuguese coach, Greece managed to rise from adversity by ensuring themselves qualify for the 2014 World Cup preliminary round.

Santos' presence in Greece had given a breath of fresh air. Under Santos, Ethniki had a record 17 matches unbeaten and reached their highest FIFA rankings (8th place).

Celebration of the Greek National Team at the 2014 World Cup (c) FIFA

The 2014 World Cup Brazil is the third World Cup tournament that the Greek national team has participated in. Georgios Samaras and colleagues qualified for Brazil after overcoming obstacles from Romania in the playoffs.

The team nicknamed Ethniki was then joined in Group C with Colombia, Japan, and Ivory Coast. In the inaugural party against Colombia, Greece had to be willing to swallow a bitter result after being crushed by James Rodriguez and colleagues with a score of 0-3.