Greece beats Sweden under Rehhagel’s stardust
Greece made its first victory in the World Cup qualifier in 2022 and beat Sweden 2-1 on Wednesday under the gaze of the former symbolic boss Otto Rehhagel, who was in the stands at the Olympic Stadium in Athens.
In what was rumored to be the last match with Dutch coach John van’t Schip at the helm, Greece welcomed their fans to the stands after almost two years and also made them happy.
What the first half lacked in goals it made up for in action and missed chances, including a shot in the third minute by Mattias Svanberg who hit upright.
The Greek team then thought it deserved a penalty, but the referee revoked his decision when his assistant raised the flag for an offside.
Vangelis Pavlidis also thought he had scored, but his sensitive chip spectacularly got rid of the Swedish goalkeeper Robin Olsen.
Greece finally found a way through just after the hour mark, as Tasos Bakasetas played a second with Tasos Douvikas. The latter fed the former with a wonderful side flap, and Bakasetas stormed into the Swedish area to drive the ball into the net.
After 74 minutes, a mistake by the home side’s left defense allowed Christos Tzolis to get through. He outclassed the home side’s keeper, adding another goal for the visitors. Mr. Rehhagel could not hide his smile from the VIP stands.
Sweden pulled one back in the 80th, as Emil Forsberg’s long-distance effort was palmed by Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos to Robin Quaison’s road, who easily scored.
The result means that Greece has six points from four matches, still undefeated, but also still behind its main rivals for one of the two best places, as Sweden is at nine points, behind Spain at 13.
Greece is by no means a favorite for qualifying, it is still a rank outsider. But at least the night will be remembered for the passion Greece played with after a very long time.