Top 10 of the Greek sporting decade (Part 2 of 3)

AGONAsport’s “Decade in Review” series concludes with Andrew Stamas counting down the top 10 Greek sporting highlights of the last decade on the international stage, in the second of a three-part series.

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To view part one, click here.

10. OLYMPIACOS’ EUROPEAN DYNASTY

Without a doubt, Olympiacos were by far the most successful Greek club in Europe throughout the decade. Olympiacos FC reached the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League on two occasions (2009-10 and 2013-14), while also competing in the group stages an additional five seasons. In four of those five seasons, Olympiacos failed to reach the knockout stage despite earning nine points in their group each time. Over the course of the decade, Olympiacos FC won matches against many top European clubs such as Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Manchester United, and Milan, just to name a few.

Olympiacos’ European success in the 2010s decade was not limited to just football. In men’s basketball, Olympiacos won the EuroLeague twice (2011-2012 and 2012-13), and finished runner-up three times (2009-10, 2014-15, and 2016-17). Olympiacos’ men’s water polo team won the LEN Champions League in 2017-18, and also finished runner-up twice (2015-16 and 2018-19). In women’s water polo, Olympiacos made the EuroLeague Final Four six times, winning the title once (2014-15) and being runner-up twice (2016-17 and 2018-19).

9. STRONG YOUTH NATIONAL TEAMS

The 2010s were a decent decade for Greece’s youth national teams. In football, notable results included reaching the final of the 2012 UEFA U19 European Championship, and the semifinals of the 2015 UEFA U19 European Championship (which Greece hosted). Additionally, Greece qualified for the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup, which marked Greece’s debut in the finals of the competition. Greek youth national teams were more successful in men’s basketball than in football, with the Greeks winning two European titles. Greece won the U18 European title in 2015, and the U20 European title in 2017. Greece won silver at the 2010 U20 European Championship, and bronze at the 2013 U16 European Championship. Greece also finished fourth at the 2015 U19 World Championship, and at the 2014 and 2019 U18 European Championships.

However, water polo was by far the most successful sport for Greek youth national teams, as Greece won a total of eight international competitions throughout the decade. These included the 2011 Women’s European U17 Championships, 2012 Women’s World U18 Championships, 2013 Women’s European U17 Championships, 2014 Women’s European U19 Championships, 2017 Men’s World U20 Championships, 2018 Men’s World U18 Championships, 2018 Men’s European U19 Championships, and the 2019 Men’s World U20 Championships. In addition, Greek youth national water polo teams also won two silver medals and seven bronze medals at major international competitions over the course of the decade.

8. NATIONAL WATER POLO TEAMS’ TRIUMPHS

In water polo, it was not only the youth national teams that achieved impressive results during the 2010s decade, but the men’s and women’s senior teams as well. The highlight was of course the women’s national team winning the 2011 World Championships, becoming the first (and so far only) Greek team to win a World Championship title in any team sport at the senior level. The Greek women also finished runner-up at the European Championships three times in the last decade (2010, 2012, and 2018).

Furthermore, the women won the inaugural Europa Cup in 2018, and two bronze medals in the FINA World League (2010 and 2012). On the other hand, the men’s national team won bronze at both the 2015 World Championships and the 2016 FINA World League.

7. 15 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES

The aforementioned 2011 World Championship title in women’s water polo was just one of 15 World Championships won by Greece in Olympic events at the senior level in the 2010s. In addition to water polo, Greece had world champions in athletics (track and field), gymnastics, judo, karate, rowing, shooting, and swimming. 2011 was the most successful year, with World Championship titles in judo, rowing, swimming, and of course, water polo. 

Two Greek athletes each won three World Championship gold medals throughout the decade, as judoka Ilias Iliadis (2010, 2011, and 2014), and gymnast Eleftherios Petrounias (2015, 2017, and 2018) did so. Swimmer Spyridon Gianniotis also added two (2011 and 2013). For further information on these 15 World Championship titles, click here.

6. UEFA EURO 2012 - GREECE RETURN TO KNOCKOUTS

Following Greece’s historic Euro 2004 triumph, the national team failed to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and fell in the group stages of both Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. With one point from two games (after a draw with co-host Poland and a loss to the Czech Republic), it seemed likely that Greece would once again exit a tournament in the group stages. However, a late first-half goal from team captain Giorgos Karagounis, as well as some great defensive play, saw Greece earn a surprise 1-0 win over Russia to advance to the quarterfinals.

There, the Greek team put up a good fight, but could not overcome a strong German team. Germany won 4-2, but Euro 2012 was still a great tournament for Greece. Not only did the team reach the knockout stage of a major tournament for just the second time ever, but the Greeks also did so while facing much adversity. This included the height of Greece’s economic crisis, a controversial second yellow card which suspended Karagounis from the quarterfinal match, and questionable refereeing decisions in each of the three group matches.

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