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Live from Euro 2004


Greece collecting believers as fairytale continues

Can anyone stop Greece?

Greece's defender Traianos Dellas (L) heads the ball to score, 01 July 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto during the Euro 2004 semi final football match between Greece and the Czech Republic at the European Nations Championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Hrvoje POLAN
Greece's defender Traianos Dellas (L) heads the ball to score, 01 July 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto during the Euro 2004 semi final football match between Greece and the Czech Republic at the European Nations Championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Hrvoje POLAN

A team that began Euro 2004 as rank outsiders are now one victory from one of the greatest upsets in the history of football after they sucker-punched the Czech Republic with a silver goal in the last minute of first-half extra-time. Final score as crazy as it may sounds reads: Greece 1 Czech Republic 0.

Greek players and staff members celebtrate their victory 01 July 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto during the Euro 2004 semi final football match between Greece and Czech Republic at the European Nations Championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Hrvoje POLAN
Greek players and staff members celebtrate their victory 01 July 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto during the Euro 2004 semi final football match between Greece and Czech Republic at the European Nations Championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Hrvoje POLAN

"The fairytale continues. It is unbelievable what my team has achieved today," said 65-year-old coach Otto Rehhagel who will never have to buy a drink again in Greece.

"In the final against Portugal, who will want to avenge their defeat to us on the opening day, we will be the outsiders again, but in football anything is possible.

"Anyway whatever happens we will be the real winners of Euro 2004." he added.

After defending like an organised army for long periods of the match, Greece showed superiour fitness in extra-time and a string of chances led to the killer goal as Traianos Dellas put away a near post header from a Vasilios Tsiartas corner.

Czech forwards Jan Koller (L) and Milan Baros reacts after missing a scoring opportunity, 01 july 2004 at the Do Dragao in Porto, during the Euro 2004 semi final match between Greece and Czech at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV
Czech forwards Jan Koller (L) and Milan Baros reacts after missing a scoring opportunity, 01 july 2004 at the Do Dragao in Porto, during the Euro 2004 semi final match between Greece and Czech at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV

"In the end, God gave us this victory... As I went to take my position during the corner, I looked at the clock. It showed 14 minutes and 36 seconds.

"And I told myself let it happen now. And it went OK. I believe somebody listened to me, and the goal went in," said the 28-year-old.

Rehhagel could scarcely believe the adventure was continuing especially after the camp had been destabilised by stories over him claiming all the glory, one of the top clubs AEK Athens going bankrupt and the players wanting more than was previously agreed regarding bonuses.

Attacking midfielder Stylianos Giannakopoulos held his son in his arms and reflected on another miracle.

"It is a terrific way to win, an unbelievable win.

"It's a brilliant day for us and a black day for the Czechs

"It's great, it's a dream, unbelievable. We are sleeping and we don't want to wake up," added the Bolton dynamo, whose son was suitably bedecked in a Bolton shirt.

The Czechs dominated in regulation time, but lost their shape after talismanic captain Pavel Nedved limped off with a knee injury towards the end of the first-half.

Greek fans cheer on their team, 01 July 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during the Euro 2004 semi-final football match between Greece and Czech Republic at the European Nations championship in Portugal.
Greek fans cheer on their team, 01 July 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during the Euro 2004 semi-final football match between Greece and Czech Republic at the European Nations championship in Portugal.
Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved (C) is helped by medics afyer an injury 01 July 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during the Euro 2004 semi final football match between Greece and Czech Republic at the European Nations championship in Portugal.
Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved (C) is helped by medics afyer an injury 01 July 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during the Euro 2004 semi final football match between Greece and Czech Republic at the European Nations championship in Portugal.

Frustration began to grow as the ball refused to go in while Greece waited patiently and struck when it mattered most deep into first-half extra-time.

The final will now be a rematch of the opening game when Greece began their astonishing campaign beating Portugal 2-1.

The hosts may relish the chance of revenge but the way lady luck and the forces above seem to be smiling on the Greeks, they must be taken seriously with just 90 minutes between them and a title, noone gave them any chance of winning.