While their Group 2 leaders Ukraine beat Albania 2-0 to hold a six point lead the Greeks have a game in hand.

While they plugged on with their World Cup campaign most of the other key European nations played friendlies and came out mostly with draws.

England were held by an under strength Holland 0-0, Germany drew 2-2 at home to Argentina and France went down to their fifth successive home draw with Sweden, the hosts coming from behind to end the match 1-1.

There were impressive wins for the Republic of Ireland, who saw off Euro 2004 finalists Portugal 1-0 through Andy O'Brien's first ever international goal, Italy came out 2-0 victors over Russia.

Craig Bellamy, the bete noire of Newcastle manager Graeme Souness and now Celtic property, showed no signs of lack of match fitness as he scored twice to give John Toshack a winning start to his second reign as Wales manager in a 2-0 victory over Hungary.

The less said the better over Northern Ireland's 1-0 defeat to 10-man Canada as they found themselves literally Oceans part with Olivier Occean's first-half effort being enough to maintain the hosts miserable home record of not having won at Windsor Park in 11 games.

In Athens meanwhile Zagorakis' goal and a penalty by Angelos Basinas in the 32nd minute gave Greece a 2-0 lead while Danish winger Dennis Rommedahl in injury-time of the first-half provided Denmark's sole response.

Two key saves by Greek goalie Antonis Nikopolidis late in the contest from shots by Jon Dahl Tomasson enabled the Euro 2004 champions to hold on.

Zagorakis, who earned a move to Serie A outfit Bologna on the back of his Euro 2004 performances, netted with a low and curving free kick that broke through the Danish wall and the ball crept in just inside the right hand post past motionless goalie Thomas Sorensen.

The penalty came about when Bolton midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos was held up twice in the penalty area by Real Madrid's Thomas Gravesen and finally brought down.

A mistake by Nikopolidis just seconds before the end of the first half in clearing the ball in front of his goal cost Greece as an opportunistic Rommedahl was there to easily put the ball in the empty net and put the visitors back in the contest.

One consolation for France was they scored their first goal in over four matches through David Trezeguet - taking him to joint second in the all-time French scorers list on 30 - while Sweden had taken the lead through Freddie Ljungberg celebrating his 50th appearance for the visitors.

The hosts had a late effort by Thierry Henry ruled out while his Arsenal team-mate Patrick Vieira was fortunate to stay on the pitch in the first-half after blatantly elbowing Marcus Allback.

Although the final whistle was greeted with boos by the home fans there was much to be optimistic about after an impressive first-half display which coach Raymond Domenech seized on.

"It was good," said Domenech, who has virtually had to rebuild the team since taking over from Jacques Santini after they went out of Euro 2004 in the quarter-finals.

"We suffered a bit to start with against a good side but we showed good things and we are definitely evolving.

"We were maybe not as fresh in the second-half.

"I tell you what though if we could have a 10-0 win we would take it!"

Germany's miserable run against top nations continued as Argentina twice came from behind to grab a draw.

AC Milan striker Hernan Crespo showed his killer instinct in front of goal converting a penalty and producing a magestic late chip to deny Germany.

Torsten Frings put the 2002 World Cup finalists in front after 28 minutes, before Crespo levelled, and Brazilian-born Kevin Kuranyi restored Germany's lead until Crespo's late intervention.

The draw means Germany have not defeated a top nation in over four and half years with October 2000 the last time Germany triumphed over one of the big guns.

German coach Jurgen Klinsmann, though, was satisfied.

"We want to carry on our development and I believe the Argentina game was another good building block," explained Klinsmann. "We want to orientate our game around attack and I think that showed once again."

Alberto Gilardino and Simone Barone scored after coming on as second-half substitutes to give Italy their victory over Russia in a lively match.

Barone's 25 yard thunderbolt was the pick of the goals and certainly had the Palermo midfielder feeling over the moon.

This is an unforgettable day for me and I dedicate my first Italy goal to my family," he said.

What Domenech would dedicate his first victory at the Stade de France to is anybody's guess but at the moment he looks like he mighthave to sell his soul to get one.