Greece maintained their unbeaten Group F record in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying as Sotiris Ninis scored the only goal to secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Israel in Tel Aviv.

The visitors went into the game without having lost under coach Fernando Santos and maintained that streak as they made it five wins and two draws from their seven games so far.

Greece had the better of the first half, however, misfired on several chances. Dimitris Salpingidis' 24th-minute strike was at least on target, but Dudu Aouate held on, while the majority of the visitors' efforts went wayward.

Eran Zahavi had a rare chance for Israel with a free-kick in the 35th minute, but sent his strike over the bar, while Giorgos Karagounis did likewise at the other end.

Itay Shechter fired over for Israel before Greece wasted a pair of chances in first-half stoppage-time. Ioannis Zaradoukas' effort from the edge of the box presented Aouate with a comfortable save, before Karagounis fired over the crossbar moments later.

The visitors continued to have the better of things after the restart and came close when a header from Georgios Samaras was blocked by Rami Gershon.

Greece finally got the goal they deserved on the hour mark as Ninis fired home from 20 yards. The goal sparked a response from Israel, with Lior Rafaelov's volley from a Bebras Natkho corner going over.

Greece goalkeeper Michail Sifakis was called into action to save a 25-yard free-kick in the 72nd minute after Kostas Katsouranis had fouled Rafaelov, who himself sent an effort over the bar as the game went into the last ten minutes. Samaras sent a late chance wide for Greece as the challenge from Israel sputtered out.