Following Saturday’s disaster, Greece are in dire need of a victory against Armenia in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying. AGONAsport analyses previous meetings between the two countries.
Saturday was a day to forget. Completely outclassed by their opponents, the Greeks were handed a thrashing by Italy, conceding a heavy, bitter 0:3 defeat at the Olympic Stadium. The Ethniki Omada now possess four points from the opening three matches of the qualification process for UEFA Euro 2020.
Next up are the Armenians in Athens. In the past, these two countries have played against each other four times, with Greece winning three and the remaining match ending in a draw. Let’s take a closer look at those games:
October 16, 2002. Greece - Armenia - 2:0, UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying
This victory kickstarted the incredible Greek charge to the European crown. Having lost the first two matches of Group 6 to Spain and Ukraine, the Ethniki Omada were in a difficult position, but the players picked up their maiden win of the qualification process against the Armenians. Within two minutes, Demis Nikolaidis broke the deadlock at the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium, before the same player doubled his money in the second half to clinch a vital three points.
September 6, 2003. Armenia - Greece - 0:1, UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying
Greece took a major step towards qualification with a tense 1:0 triumph in Yerevan. With 36 minutes on the clock, Zisis Vryzas opened the scoring, and that single goal proved to be enough to emerge victorious. The Greeks defeated Northern Ireland in the final round of qualifying matches to book their ticket for Euro 2004 in Portugal. A tournament which will never be forgotten.
June 1, 2008. Armenia - Greece - 0:0, friendly match
The two nations locked horns as a part of Greece’s preparations for UEFA Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. In truth, it was a rather uninspiring affair, as the sides failed to score in what was a dull 0:0 draw on neutral territory in Austria. Greece then contrived to lose all three games against Sweden, Russia and Spain at the competition to bow out in the group stage.
May 31, 2012. Armenia - Greece - 0:1, friendly match
Once again, Greece faced Armenia when in the midst of preparing for the European Championship. However, unlike 2008, the Ethniki grabbed a victory as commanding centre-back Kyriakos Papadopoulos planted a firm header into the net in the 24th minute of play. In stark comparison to 2008, the Greeks subsequently enjoyed an excellent tournament in Poland, qualifying for the quarter-finals after a dramatic 1:0 victory against an in-form Russia side in the group phase.
