By Karolos Grohmann
ATHENS, Oct 13 - Last year Greece stunned the
soccer world with the biggest upset in the game's history when
they won the European championship in Portugal.
Less than 16 months later Greece have failed to qualify for
the 2006 World Cup after an unconvincing campaign that left them
fourth in their group, having scored a mere 15 goals in 12
matches.
Banners reading "Forever champions in our hearts" were
unfolded around Athens's Karaiskaki stadium during their 1-0 win
over Georgia in their final qualifier on Wednesday and video
screens replayed highlights of their European championship
triumph during halftime.
In a moving finale to their campaign, the players were given
a standing ovation at the final whistle, but it was more a case
of "thank you for the memories" rather than "we will be back."
For one of Europe's less illustrious teams, whose only other
international credits include a disastrous first-round exit at
the 1994 World Cup and a brief 1980 European championship
appearance, the achievement of winning a major trophy was
immense.
For months Greeks were talking about the birth of a new
soccer power, the unleashing of football forces for decades
hidden behind the country's shabby stadiums, dwindling
attendances and constant crowd-trouble.
The successful 2004 Athens Olympic Games that followed the
Euro win further fuelled this view.
But it all started coming apart at the seams with the first
World Cup qualifier in Tirana last year when the freshly crowned
European champions were embarrassed by a weak Albanian team in a
straightforward 2-1 defeat.
"We were just back from holidays, all the boys were still
exhausted after Portugal," coach Otto Rehhagel had said at the
time.
GOAL DROUGHT
But it took the Greeks four matches to even record their
first win and by that time the shine was already wearing off
quickly.
A disappointing appearance in this year's Confederations Cup
with defeats by Brazil and Japan and a 0-0 draw against Mexico
further enhanced the belief the Greeks had reverted to their
traditional role, down among the also-rans.
A six-match goal-drought prompted the first calls for a
rejuvenation of the squad that did come, albeit too little too
late.
"We never managed to play with our starting 11 during this
campaign," lamented Rehhagel after the Georgia game. It is true
that constant injuries, suspensions and club contract problems
decimated the squad leaving Rehhagel with only limited options.
But the hunger for success, which was such a driving force
in Portugal making Greece the only team in history to go through
three knock-out rounds without conceding a goal, is gone.
While fans in Greece do not expect the team to reach the
footballing heights achieved last year any time soon, they are
hoping to at least be part of future international competitions.
"We are proud of this team, but we must not go back to the
stone age. We want to be part of the big tournaments, to see our
team in action and never stop singing," said fan Dimitris
Nikolaou, draped in a Greek flag, after the Georgia match.
"Portugal was, is and will for ever be our inspiration."