Football

Netherlands vs Greece head-to-head: History favours the Dutch

Netherlands vs Greece head-to-head: History favours the Dutch
AR-RAYYAN, 03-12-2022, Khalifa Stadium, World Cup 2022 in Qatar game between Netherlands and the USA. Netherlands celebrating win 3-1 - Photo by Icon sport during the FIFA World Cup 2022, Round of 16 match between Netherlands and United States at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by ProShots/Icon Sport)

The Netherlands take on Greece on Thursday night in European Championship qualifying in a match that could have huge implications for both sides’ hopes of lining up at Euro 2024 next summer. The match will be played at The Philips Stadium in Eindhoven meaning Ronald Koeman’s men will have home advantage. The match is scheduled to kick off at 19:45 UK time.

Netherlands vs Greece head-to-head record

The Netherlands and Greece haven’t played each other on too many occasions in the past, and this is their first competitive match since 1991. In total, there have been nine matches between the two sides with the Netherlands coming out on top more often than not.

  • Netherlands wins: 7
  • Draws: 1
  • Greece wins: 1

The first match between the Netherlands and Greece came in 1972 in an international friendly. On that occasion, Oranje came out on top in an emphatic 5-0 victory – a result that remains the heaviest scoreline between the two nations.

Up until 2016, Greece had never beaten the Netherlands, however, they then came out on top in an away international friendly – incidentally also played at the Phillips Stadium in Eindhoven. As things stand, the Netherlands are yet to lose to Greece in a competitive match.

greece v netherlands head to head
Photo: Van Steen / VI Images / Icon Sport

Netherlands vs Greece last five head-to-head matches

Netherlands 1-2 Greece

The last meeting between the two sides took place in September 2016 and was a night to forget for Danny Blind’s Netherlands. Although Oranje took the lead via a strike from Gini Wijnaldum, the Greeks came back into the game and pulled off a stunning turnaround in Eindhoven thanks to goals from Konstantinos Mitroglou and Giannis Gianniotas.

Netherlands 4-0 Greece

You have to go back a further 12 years to April 2004 for the second most recent meeting between the Netherlands and Greece and on this occasion, the Netherlands ran out as comfortable winners. The mid-2000s Dutch team was a stellar one and goals from Johnny Heitinga, Boudewijn Zenden, Roy Makaay and Pierre Van Hooijdonk were enough for the win. Incredibly, Greece were crowned champions of Europe just a few months later.

Greece 0-2 Netherlands

The last competitive match between the two nations took place in December 1991 in Greece. The Netherlands, just three years fresh from their Euro 88 triumph, were comfortable winners thanks to goals from Dennis Bergkamp and Danny Blind, who would later go on to become the manager of the national team.

Netherlands 2-0 Greece

A year before the 2-0 victory away in Greece, Oranje ran out as 2-0 winners on home turf against their Greek opponents. After a disappointing 1990 World Cup campaign, the Netherlands were keen to do well in Euro 1992 qualifying and they started well thanks to two goals from their two star forwards – Dennis Bergkamp and Marco van Basten.

Greece 0-3 Netherlands

The Netherlands were drawn alongside Greece for Euro 1988 qualifying and after drawing with them at home, they got revenge in the away leg in Athens in 1987. On the night, a goal from Ronald Koeman – the current national team manager – and a double from Hans Gilhaus earned them the three points.

Netherlands vs Greece – What to expect

There hasn’t been a time in history where the Netherlands have lined up as underdogs against Greece and it will be no different on Thursday evening. Ronald Koeman’s men are in desperate need of three points after some disappointing results in recent times but Greece won’t be easy to break down. Expect a tight affair with Greece playing exclusively on the counter attack.


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