For the first time in several years there has been more than enough reason for Greeks to take to the streets of the country’s towns and cities to celebrate.<br /><br />A dramatic 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast put Greece’s national team through to the knock out rounds of the World Cup in Brazil for the first time ever.<br /><br />The squad will next meet Costa Rica.<br /><br />“This team has shown us that it’s got guts and I’m delighted. Congratulations to our national team,” said one man.<br /><br />“This victory has empowered all Greeks, it’s a message for us to endure hardship and always be positive.”<br /><br />Giorgos Samaras’s injury-time penalty secured the teams victory.<br /><br />Greece’s greatest success to date has been their 2004 European Championship win against Portugal.<br /><br />Euronews’ correspondent in Athens Stamatic Giannisis said that “the national teams World Cup victory has given Greeks a great morale boost during a period of high unemployment and austerity.”
