How Greece Shocked Europe to Become Euro 2004 Champions
The 2004 European Championship witnessed one of the most astonishing triumphs in football history as Greece defied all expectations to lift the trophy. Hosted in Portugal, the tournament was supposed to be a stage for established footballing nations, yet it was Greece, a team barely considered dark horses, that emerged victorious through sheer resilience and tactical brilliance. The architect of this improbable success was coach Otto Rehhagel, whose strategic masterplan and disciplined approach laid the foundation for Greece’s journey to becoming Euro 2004 champions. Rehhagel instilled a defensive solidity and unwavering team spirit, proving to be the perfect formula for their unprecedented achievement.
While the Greece squad of 2004 lacked globally recognized stars, their final opponents, Portugal, boasted a constellation of talent. Led by captain Luís Figo, the Portuguese side featured midfield maestro Deco, defensive rock Ricardo Carvalho, and a young prodigy named Cristiano Ronaldo, then wearing the number 17 jersey and operating on the left wing. Despite being overwhelming favorites with these stars, Portugal ultimately couldn’t breach the Greek defensive wall in the final. Rehhagel’s meticulously drilled team displayed incredible resistance in every match, a key factor in Greece becoming Euro 2004 champions against all odds.
Greece’s Euro 2004 campaign began in the challenging Group A, alongside hosts Portugal, Spain, and Russia. In a stunning opening match, they defeated Portugal 2-1, setting the tone for their improbable journey. Goals from Georgios Karagounis and Angelos Basinas secured the victory. A 1-1 draw against Spain followed, and despite a 2-1 loss to Russia in their final group game, Greece advanced to the quarter-finals as group runners-up with 4 points.
In the quarter-finals against reigning champions France, Greece continued to defy expectations. A solitary goal from Angelos Charisteas secured a 1-0 win, propelling Greece into the semi-finals. Once again, their defensive prowess and tactical discipline frustrated a star-studded French team that included Thierry Henry, Zinédine Zidane, and Claude Makélélé.
The semi-final clash against tournament favorites Czech Republic was another monumental test for Greece. After a goalless 90 minutes, the game went into extra time, where Traianos Dellas scored a dramatic golden goal, securing a 1-0 victory and a place in the Euro 2004 final. The Czech Republic squad was formidable, featuring familiar faces like Milan Baros and Tomas Ujfalusi, alongside Ballon d’Or winner and captain Pavel Nedved and world-class goalkeeper Petr Cech.
The Euro 2004 final saw a rematch against hosts Portugal, the team Greece had defeated in the opening game. And history repeated itself. In the 57th minute, Angelos Charisteas rose to head home the decisive goal, securing a 1-0 victory and crowning Greece as European champions for the first time. This improbable triumph of Greece, becoming Euro 2004 champions, remains etched in football folklore as one of the greatest underdog stories ever told.