MTNFootball

Greece, led by Portuguese coach Fernando Santos, qualified for Euro 2012, finishing top of their qualifying group and undefeated in the process. The ‘Galanolefki’ (Sky blue and whites), as they are nicknamed, will now compete in Group A of the UEFA competition alongside Poland, Czech Republic and Russia.

Santos's team remained undefeated in qualification through a series of narrow victories helping them finish first in Group F as they target a repeat of their shock 2004 success in the European competition.

Greece’s best performance in Euro came in 2004 as they lifted the title in Portugal against all odds and coming into this competition under the guise of Santos, the Galanolefki will feel they can cause a few upsets yet again.

Santos succeeded the long-serving Otto Rehhagel in August 2010 and did not taste defeat in his first 17 matches until a 3-1 home reverse against Romania in a friendly on 15 November 2011. That ended a run of ten victories and seven draws since the Portuguese coach had taken over, the longest unbeaten streak in Greece's history.

Greece’s qualifying campaign was characterised by a series of narrow wins, which was a familiar feature during their stunning UEFA EURO 2004 success, and an emphasis on team spirit to compensate for the shortage of star names remains their overriding reason for their accomplishments.

With the 14 qualifying goals shared among 11 players – including 19-year old Kyriakos Papadopoulos, who scored against Malta on his debut in June 2011 – Greece's success was a real team effort.

Captain Giorgos Karagounis was the only player to start all ten qualifiers, although striker Dimitris Salpingidis also appeared in every game; and a lot will be expected from these senior players if Greece are to triumph yet again.