Greece has once again done the impossible, beating the host nation Portgual a second time, 1-0, to win the 2004 Euro Cup in one of the greatest Cinderella stories in football history. My brother-in-law, my best friend Mark and his wife Cinda, and I watched the final match at a pub in Cambridge, which - packed with local Portuguese fans - grew mighty quiet in the 57th minute when striker Angelos Charisteas headed the ball into Portugal's goal on a Greek corner, and mirthless as a wake when the final whistle was blown and Greece had defended their narrow lead. But what did we care? The few of us who were there on behalf of Hellas whooped and hollered and celebrated something that would have seemed downright laughable three weeks ago when the tourament began.
Bookmakers had pegged Greece as an 80-1 chance to win it all at the outset, which in retrospect was a little ignorant of what the national team had done prior to its arrival in Portugal under the Teutonic leadership of celebrated German coach Otto "King Otto" Rehhagel - after losing his first game, Otto lead the Greeks to fifteen consecutive wins, including six during the qualifying matches for Euro 2004. Unbeknownst to the titans of European football and millions of Portguese fans convinced that this was their year, Greece came to play. And play they did, always rising to the level of their more illustrious challengers, leaving them frustrated or even downright bamboozled on the field as they fitted the Greek passion to Rehhagel's disciplined German playing style.
There were no "lucky breaks" for this team - just hard work, a tight defense, and a spirit that would not die. I already can't wait to see the Greeks defend their title in 2008!
1 comment:
Hello Tom,
although it's only two days since I accidentally found your blog, I' d like to congratulate you on your writings and wish you good luck as a writer. Believe me, finding interesting and well-written blogs isn't something that happens too often.
Now to the big event...
You can't imagine what happened here in Athens when the national football team arrived in the Stadium. They are still partying every night, three days after the event... As an other fellow Greek blogger (histologion.blogspot.com) says, Ok, we know, football is the modern opium for the people, but, what the hell, let us enjoy these moments ...
I really wish that all the nations could at least once enjoy some success of this kind, especially those who are in great need of.
My complaints go (mainly) to the Spaniards and, in particular, to some newspapers who hold a bitter grudge against the Greeks. I felt really disgusted from what I read only on the titles of major Spanish newspapers and very much disappointed, because I like Spain and was very eager to learn the language.
I think it is natural to congratulate a small country when it does such a feat, against all the odds, driven only by the power of passion and by excellent organisation (our cordial gratitude to Otto, who will stay forever in our hearts!). I hope that this bitterness emanates only from some complexed reporters or hooligans.
My best wishes
Antonis K
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