Greece national under-21 football team
The Greek U-21 national football team is a selection of Greek football player. They are subject to Elliniki Podosferiki Omospondia and represents him on the U-21 level, in friendly matches against the national teams of other national associations, but also at the European Championships of the continental federation UEFA and the Football World Cup FIFA. Be eligible, players who have not yet completed their 21 years of age and have the Greek nationality. In tournaments, the age at first qualifier is relevant.
European Championships
To date, the Greek U- 21 team has qualified four times for the finals of a European Championship. Their first appearance was in 1988, where she was able to advance to the finals as underdogs and there faced the team of U -21 France. After the first leg went out 0-0, the return game was relatively clear lost with 0:3 from Greek point of view. After you came 1994 to the quarter-finals and there met with Spain, the team was eliminated from the tournament after the first playoff round. Four years later, in 1998, the two teams met for the umpteenth time in this competition. But this time, victory or defeat would decide on the European Championship title. By a 1-0 victory on 31 May 1998, Spain and the second final was lost. In 2002, the Greeks already resigned from after the first round. After just one point against the eventual champions the Czech Republic had an early stage the suitcases are packed.
When qualifying for Euro 2009, the Greeks were drawn with Italy, Croatia, Albania, Faroe Islands and Azerbaijan in Group 1. Although Italy was the favorite to win the first place in this group, so the Greeks wanted to qualify in second place for the play-offs. After a 4-1 win against Azerbaijan duty followed in the second game a 2:3 defeat against Croatia. After two more victories on 16 October 2007 was the next opponent Italy. The Greeks were able to wrest the game 2-2 and caused a little surprise. In the next game, a rematch against Croatia should follow. However, the team lost even this comparison with a goal difference (3:4). In the second encounter with Italy, both teams came back out to a draw, so the moved the European Championships for the Greeks in the distance. At the end there was only the third place with 18 points from ten games.
Participation in U-21 European Championships
Note: Between 1978 and 1992, the final was a U- 21 Championship not played in a country, but completed by return games in the participating nations.
Former Players
(Selection)
- Alexandros Alexandris
- Paraskevas Antzas
- Angelos Basinas
- Traianos Dellas
- Ioannis Goumas
- Giorgos Karagounis
- Pantelis Konstantinidis
- Sotirios Kyrgiakos
- Demis Nikolaidis
- Nikolaos Nioplias
- Nikos Liberopoulos
- Ioannis Amanatidis