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Greece v Czech Republic - MATCH REPORT

Dellas' silver goal takes Greece into final

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

Traianos Dellas' silver goal gave Greece a dramatic 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic and a place in the final as one of the greatest surprises in the history of football continued on Thursday.

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.

Otto Rehhagel's side, who beat 2000 champions France in the quarter-finals, will meet hosts Portugal in Sunday's final, the team they beat in their opening group match.

With the scores deadlocked, Roma defender Dellas met Vasilios Tsiartas' corner at the near post in the final minute of first-half extra-time and planted a firm header into the net for his first ever goal for his country and take Greece into their first ever final.

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

Appearing in only their third tournament, the Greeks have revelled in their tag as underdogs.

Czech forward Jan Koller reacts after missing a scoring opportunity, 01 July 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during the Euro 2004 semi final match between Greece and Czech Republic at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Franck FIFE
Czech forward Jan Koller reacts after missing a scoring opportunity, 01 July 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during the Euro 2004 semi final match between Greece and Czech Republic at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Franck FIFE

In their only other appearance at the European championships in 1980, Greece finished bottom of their group behind eventual winners West Germany.

In their only appearance at a World Cup in 1994 in the United States they finished bottom of their group with no points.

Czech coach Karel Bruckner (top) holds his head in his hands after the score remains 0-0 at full time, 01 July 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto during the Euro 2004 semi-final match between Greece and the Czech Republic at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Franck FIFE
Czech coach Karel Bruckner (top) holds his head in his hands after the score remains 0-0 at full time, 01 July 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto during the Euro 2004 semi-final match between Greece and the Czech Republic at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Franck FIFE

Greece survived an early barrage and might have nicked a goal just before the half hour, Angelos Charisteas prevented from reaching Vryzas' left-wing cross by Petr Cech's outstretched fingers.

Jan Koller should have scored 11 minutes from time after a neat exchange of passes with Rosicky, but with the goal at his mercy he dragged his shot wide from 12 yards.

Cech's quick reflexes prevented substitute Stylianos Giannakopoulos from giving Greece the lead in the 95th minute before the Chelsea-bound keeper parried away Vryzas' point-blank header.

With seconds to go before the second period of extra-time, Dellas headed the ball past a stranded Cech to send the 10,000 Greek fans into raptures.