Faroe Islands beat Greece for second time in Euro qualifying campaign

The Faroe Islands completed a memorable double over Greece as they held on to record a 2-1 victory in their European Championship Group F qualifying match at the Torsvollur stadium on Saturday night.

The hosts went 2-0 ahead thanks to a goal in each half from Hallur Hansson and teenager Brandur Olsen before Sokratis Papastathopoulos struck back to reduce the deficit with six minutes remaining, but the Faroes held on to claim maximum points as they moved above Finland into fourth in the table.

This was just their 21st win since joining the international stage in 1988 and their second competitive one since 2011, their first coming in November's 1-0 win over the Greeks. Before that, their last competitive away win came in 2001 against Luxembourg.

Victories have come against the likes of San Marino and Gibraltar, though, and never against an established, top-level nation.

The result means Greece -- European champions 11 years ago -- remain bottom after extending their winless streak to seven matches since qualifying began back in September.

The hosts started strongly before Greece came forward with chances from Lazaros Christodoulopoulos and then Kostas Mitroglou ahead of the Faroes taking the lead on the half-hour when Hansson turned in Solvi Vatnhamar's cross to hand his side the lead.

Sotiris Ninis had an effort blocked as the visitors looked for an equaliser deep into the second half, but moments later -- after 70 minutes, Vatnhamar claimed a second assist as he set up an on-rushing Olsen from the right, who made no mistake as he fired past goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis.

And Greece got a late consolation after 84 minutes as Papastathopoulos headed home from Ninis' corner but they failed to clinch a late equaliser.