Greece are former European champions who beat the hosts twice, they beat the favourites in the semis, they beat the holders in the quarters and they did so without any help from officials .
The history books never write the complex of some fans...what they will write is that they were european champions in 2004 so some of you will just have to lump it.... tha t will never change...... some of you will have to accept it.
And for or the complex ones who loathe teams succeeding by overachieving ...Greece unlike the Italians won their trophy fair and square and in the spirit of how the game should be played. The faggy Italians have a tarnished world Cup history...in the 1930's they won 2 world cups one of which was played in Italy with ring in Sth American players in their team and favourable ref decision all the way to the final in Milan. In 1982 they assed their way to the final with 3 draws in the first round going through only on goal difference and in 2006 we all saw Fabio Grosso's antics.
The truimph of antifootball is synonymous with the Italian national team, nobody ever has good things to say about them as "world Cup winners'"
These are the facts...ofcourse some of you dont like the facts. Just like the fact that the 1966 world cup that england "won" against germany in London was due to farcical refereeing.
Greece doesnt purport to be a big football superpower...nor do they get Brazilians and naturalize them as their own like the Portuguese, nor do they get Sth americans and naturalize them Italian . What Greece do is produce a decent national team even though their league is one of the weakest in europe and that suffices for me.
They punch above their weight and punch hard.
I guess some teams have heart and character as opposed to the ones that are shonky.
You are talking about the same Greece that qualified through the skin of their teeth for this world cup?
The same Greece who so valiantly defended their Euro 2004 crown by going out in straight sets in last years tournament with the worst record out of any team in that tournament?
You bring up the 1934 world cup, and yes Italy did have South American's playing for them in that world cup, but if you had any knowledge of football you would also know that nearly every team in those times imported players.
It wasn't uncommon back then and you just have to look at one of the great players of all time for evidence of this in Alfredo Di Stefano who not only represented Spain but also represented Argentina and Colombia at international level in the 1950's.
Then there was Ferenc Puskás another considered a great in the game of football who not only represented his native Hungary but also played at senior national level for Spain.
Need I go on any more?
You want to talk down Italy's achievements in world football but you really have no idea what so ever. 1982 Italy might have scraped through the group but like a good wine they came good with age and were deserving winners.
In 2006 you bring up "Grosso's antics" of course the one eyed Australian media is going to paint it in a bad light but we all know there was definate contact and there was no way of avoiding the challenge. What you fail to mention is that Australia played the majority of the second half with a one man advantage due to a dubious decision by the referee to send of Marco Materazzi, but yeah let's turn a blind eye to the real facts.
If Australia were truly good enough they would have taken advantage of this situation, but they failed only amassing a total of 4 shots on goal for the whole game to Italy's 7 despite Australia holding 58% of possession.
Just face it Australia are not good enough just like Greece wont be good enough at this world cup, just like Greek club teams are never good enough in European competitions.
As far as corruption in World Cup's goes look no further then 2002 when South Korea were handed a path to the semis on a silver platter due to some of the most dubious refereeing ever witnessed in their games against Italy and Spain.
You are one seriously jealous individual, just remember the facts
Greece- 0 World Cups and may I mention 0 goals for and 10 against LOL!
1 Fluke win in the Euro's only to "defend" their crown by bowing out in straight sets in the 2008 tournament to eventual champions Spain and such European super powers as Sweeden and Russia LOL!
Italy- 4 World Cup wins, second only to the great Brazil and that could easily be reversed, remembering Brazil beat Italy in the '94 final on penalties which we all know are a lottery.
1- Euro Championship
Now you tell me who the better footballing nation is.