On July 4, 21 years ago, Greece surprised the whole world and crowned the 2004 European Nations Cup, in one of the most dramatic and strange championships, not only in the history of the euro, but in all football memory.
A championship carried everything you can carry a fictional novel: candidate teams collapsing, immersed teams sparkling, young stars appear for the first time, dreams that break while others are born of nothingness.
Unbelievable start
Greece entered the championship in the first group alongside the host Portugal, Spain and Russia. All accounts were in the interest of Portugal and Spain, while Greece’s chances seemed small. But the men of German coach Otto Rhegel, the owner of strict defensive philosophy and the disciplined style similar to the military, turned all expectations.
They beat Portugal in the opening match with two goals to one goal, then they tied with Spain, although the defeat against Russia in the last round put them in a complex position, but they miraculously qualified at the expense of the Spaniards.
Eliminating adults
In the quarter -finals, Greece faced the stars -filled France, from Zinedine Zidane to Terry Henry. But the deadly header of Greece gave Greece with a goal without a response, in one of the largest championship shocks.
In the semi -finals, it collided with a terrifying offensive machine represented in the Czech national team led by Milan Barush and Yan Kuller. But the Greeks held together, and kidnapped a goal in the 105th minute through Dellas, scoring it at the time of the “silver goal”, a system that was not used again after.
The final dream .. and tears
The final brought together Portugal and Greece again, in a revenge meeting of the Portuguese. Ronaldo is 18 years old, Vigo, Deco, Paulta … all on the field, and between the fans an explosive energy. But Khartias appeared again, and scored another goal with an amazing header in the 56th minute.
Portugal did not succeed in returning, and goalkeeper Nikobolidis – with silver hair – remained a blurring dam for all attempts, to make the verdict the end whistle amid the world’s amazement and tears of Ronaldo.
Championship with madness
The euro 2004 was not just a Greek surprise. It was a year that was not likened to any year:
• Portugal removed England in the quarter -finals with a famous penalty shootout, which witnessed an unforgettable snapshot of goalkeeper Ricardo when he took off his gloves and tackled his abstract hand, then paid himself and recorded.
• The Netherlands played fun matches, but fell in the semi -finals against Portugal.
France collapsed, despite its strength.
England, as usual, suffered from penalty kicks.
2004 .. the year of the unreasonable
In the same year:
• Tunisia is crowning the nations of Africa for the first time.
• Valencia achieves the Spanish League title.
• Porto, led by Mourinho, wins the Champions League.
• Arsenal ends the English Premier League without defeat.
• Werder Bremen is crowned in the German league.
• Real Zaragoza defeats Real Madrid on the cup.
• The Arab contractors wins the cup and the Super, which is in the second degree.
