Greeks summon legend of King Otto before Scotland tie

Greece players celebrating — Greece won 2-1 at Wembley in October [PA Media]

Nations League play-off, first leg: Greece v Scotland

Venue: Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus Date: Thursday, 20 March Time: 19:45 GMT

Coverage: Watch on BBC One Scotland & iPlayer; listen on BBC Radio Scotland & Sounds; live text coverage & in-play clips on the BBC Sport website & app

"As Greek history tells us, the gods always have their own plans."

The words, not of a philosopher, but of a German football coach by the name of Otto Renhagel.

He is not a king, or indeed royalty, but in Athens' folklore, he might as well be.

Renhagel took over as Greece national football coach in 2001 and was immediately on the receiving end of a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Finland in Helskini in his opening game in charge.

In less than three years, he turned them into European champions. This was no Greek mythology but reality in what seemed like a parallel universe.

Euro 2004 was Greek football's utopia.

Sixteen teams took part in the tournament staged in Portugal - and Greece were 15th favourites to win it given they were taking part in their first Euros in 24 years and just a second ever.

Only minnows Latvia were seen as less likely winners of the Henri Delaunay trophy in 2004.

What followed was akin to a footballing miracle.

Twelve years earlier, Denmark, who had not even qualified for Euro 92, upset the odds to capitalise on their late reprieve courtesy of Yugoslavia's expulsion and, as celebrated a success as that was, it was an eight-team tournament in those days.

This was different. Defending champions France with Zidane and Henry, Germany with Ballack and Klose, Spain with Xavi and Raul, and England with Beckham and Rooney were all there.

That is not to mention the Greeks' first opponents and hosts, who were much fancied to win on home soil with Ronaldo, Figo and Costa in tow.

This meant nothing to Renhagel. Greece stunned the locals with a 2-1 win in Porto on the opening night and, while they had to make do with second spot behind them at the end of the group stage, their party was only just beginning.

They did not exactly excite the neutrals with the style in which they went about it, but France and Czech Republic were dispatched in their quarter-final and semi-final, respectively, before a rematch against the Portuguese in Lisbon in the showpiece. Surely lightning wouldn't strike twice?

Step forward Angelos Charisteas, who wrote his name into history with the only goal to inspire scenes of jubilation, not least amongst the 100,000 who spilled on to Athens' Omonia Square that evening.

Greek ex-pats across the world stopped traffic and partied long into the night and Renhagel was the mastermind behind it. He was a German, but he was also now a Greek god.

They won each of their knock-out games 1-0, including the only ever use of the "silver goal" rule, when they beat the Czechs in that semi.

"The Greeks have made football history. It's a sensation," Renhagel said. And it was.

"King Otto's" reign continued until 2010 and it has been a rollercoaster for Greece ever since as they prepare to welcome Steve Clarke's Scotland to Pireaus for the first leg of their Nations League play-off on Thursday.

Greek renaissance before Scotland tie

Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis — Greece winger Christos Tzolis featured in Club Brugge's recent Champions League draw at Celtic Park [SNS]

Greece have been to two European Championships since winning it and two World Cups as well, but they have also suffered the ignominy of two defeats by Faroe Islands during a botched bid to reach Euro 2016 and a plummet down the rankings.

Recent results suggest there could be a Greek renaissance.

This was epitomised by a superb yet emotional victory in London over England during their Nations League group, coming just days after the death of English-born full-back and 12-times capped Greece international George Baldock.

Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis scored both goals at Wembley and proudly held aloft up a shirt with his team-mate's name in tribute. Pavlidis will be a man Clarke will be wary of before this week's first leg.

England won that group by virtue of a 3-0 win in Athens, where two late goals turned the head-to-head in their favour.

However, Greece's 15 points would have been enough to win any other section in League B and now they will look to beat Scotland and move into League A for the first time.

This week's hosts have only lost twice on home soil in four years - that reverse against England and a Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands, so they are strong.

Alongside the threat of Pavlidis, they have Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis, Panathinikos striker Fotis Ioannidis and highly sought-after young midfielders Giannis Konstantelias, of PAOK, and Olympiakos' 18-year-old Christos Mouzakitis.

There are already some huge clubs interested in Konstantinos Karetsas. At 17, the Genk attacker has received his maiden senior call-up after switching allegiance from Belgium and the league leaders will do well to retain the teenager beyond this season given apparent interest from Manchester City and Arsenal

These will be just the third and fourth meetings between the nations at this level, with another two to come in World Cup qualifying later this year.

"King Otto" is unlikely to be matched, but it will not stop them trying to overcome the odds again.

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