It was this history that led to the birth of the Olympics, which ultimately inspired the FIFA World Cup.
While the Greeks are immensely passionate about football, its national team has yet to qualify beyond the group stages of the World Cup.
The European Championships however have proved completely different.
In Greece’s first appearance in 2004, the nation stunned everyone by claiming the title and sending the team’s fans around the world into delirium.
Greek Australian Eleonora Tsikans-Kazantzis was lucky enough to have been in Athens at the time.
"There were people jumping on fire brigades and dancing and singing, it was mental but it was one of the best experiences of my life," she said.
For Socceroos forward Jim Patikas, who is of Greek heritage and spent much of his career playing in the country, it was a special moment.
"It was a great experience for everyone who had the Greek background," Patkias said.
Despite this achievement, many have written Greece off in the upcoming World Cup in Brazil, something Patikas doesn’t agree with.
"I think in the qualifying rounds they'll get through," the former AEK Athens forward said. "On the day, the way soccer is now, anybody could beat anybody."
Whatever happens in Brazil, the Greece presence at the World Cup will be a much needed distraction for a crisis-ridden nation.
"I feel things like the Olympic Games and football in general brings everyone together and just makes them feel proud again," said Eleonora Tsikans-Kazantzis.
See some of Vitor's other community profiles here.
