The hosts were the dominant force, particularly in the first half, but they could not make the breakthrough.

Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar both had efforts saved by Michalis Sifakis in the opening 10 minutes while Ivica Olic also tried his luck before Georgios Samaras at last offered something for Greece with an effort that flew wide.

Kranjcar was then denied again by Sifakis before the half petered out.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic brought Nikica Jelavic on in place of Mladen Petric for the second half and it looked like the change had worked immediately when the striker put the ball in the net in the 48th minute only for the offside flag to curtail the celebrations.

A minute later home keeper Vedran Runje was called on for the first time to keep out a Giorgos Karagounis shot.

At the other end, Ivan Rakitic forced Sifakis into another save while Greek substitute Fanis Gekas became the second player to be denied a goal by the offside flag.

Croatia threw everything at their opponents in the final 10 minutes, with Kranjcar, Danijel Pranjic, Ivan Strinic and Eduardo all trying their luck, but without success.

The point was, though, enough to put Croatia top of Group F on four points following Friday's win in Latvia, while it was a second successive draw for Greece.