Underdogs Greece, a team that had never even won a match in a major tournament prior to this one, won Euro 2004 (Guardian, pix) after beating hosts Portugal. The only goal of the match came from a header from a corner and although Greece were a little more adventurous in the final, it was once again their tenacious defending which earned them victory over more talented rivals.
Greek captain Theodoros Zagorakis (voted player of the tournament) says it best:
What we have done here in Portugal is a great achievement like those of our ancestors. I have no words to describe what’s going on in the dressing room, all the joy.
We dedicate this cup to all the Greeks around the world. We hope we have given them something of our joy and something to carry with them in the future.
The BBC has its own Euro 2004 awards with some irreverent categories. Edgar Davids rightly wins for best dive but I take exception to Antonis Nikopolidis winning the “Best Lookalikey” category. Clearly, the award should go to Jan Koller for looking uncannily like a supersized bald Nicholas Cage.
