Euro 2004 glory for Greece
2004-07-04 22:56
Lisbon - Angelos Charisteas headed the only goal as Greece provided one of the all-time great shocks in soccer on Sunday by winning the European Championship after a 1-0 victory over hosts Portugal.
The Greeks had never won a game at a major championship before arriving at Euro 2004 but wound up twice beating the Portuguese, ousting defending champion France 1-0 in the quarter-finals and then beating hot favourites Czech Republic 1-0 in the semis.
Sunday's result meant that Portuguese coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who guided Brazil to a fifth World Cup triumph two years ago, failed to become the first man to win the world and European titles with two different teams.
But Greek coach Otto Rehhagel, who also achieved domestic titles in Germany, became the first foreigner to win the European title.
Charisteas headed home a 57th minute corner to set up the shock outcome to a championship full of upsets.
It was his goal that gave the unfancied Greeks a sensational 1-0 victory that ousted defending champion France in the quarter-final and it was almost identical to Traianos Dellas' headed winner against the Czechs in extra time of the semi-final.
The Greeks finally broke the deadlock in the 57th minute with a similar set piece to the goal they scored in extra time against the Czechs.
Seitaridis went on a speedy run down the right and was stopped by a fine block by Ronaldo who had chased back.
The ball rolled for a corner and Basinas floated it into the six-metre box for Charisteas to time his run perfectly and head powerfully home from five metres out right in front of his own fans.
The Portuguese almost hit back immediately, Ronaldo firing a 20-metre shot which was too hot for goalkeeper Nikopolidis.
Scolari had to do something special and he sent on veteran Rui Costa for Costinha with 30 minutes remaining and then Nuno Gomes for Pauleta.
Ronaldo almost got the equaliser with 16 minutes remaining. He a chased a long clearance from goalkeeper Ricardo Pereira and got clear of the defence with just the keeper to beat. Taking the ball at pace, however, he was unable to keep it under control and, with Nikopolidis off his line, lobbed it over the bar.
Ronaldo got through again with 10 minutes to go but Traianos Dellas got back to block the teenager's shot. Then defender Ricardo Carvalho joined the attack to produce a low left foot 25-metre shot the keeper couldn't hold but no one was there to take advantage of the fumble.
In the final minute, Figo almost forced extra time when he weaved into space to fire a low left foot shot, which was deflected just past the post.
- AP