The EPIC Story of How Greece Won EURO 2004

The epic tale of how Greece won EURO 2004, and how Portugal's loss in the final inspired their greatest success 12 years later.
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[@shatterfall_hunted8236]

The greek player Zagorakis said while on a podcast said that during that final Pauleta told him something like " If i was greek i would be ashamed to win like this " to which Zagorakis replied " you are the only ones that cant talk you had 2 chances to beat us in your home and you didnt " , still Greece is the only international winner to win every match without penalty shoot-outs

[@90_plus_1]

Really? That’s an incredible story 😂

[@nunoneves5809]

@@shatterfall_hunted8236 Pauleta was butt hurt , he shouldn't even started the initial 11 since for Portugal he mostly failed to score , should been Nuno Gomes instead of him

[@user-zg7um4et6n]

Ashamed to win? If that's the case, it's more embarassing to lose to a team twice in a single tournament that he considers so inferior. Well done Greece, you made history and your country proud. No Greek will ever forget summer 2004.

[@7heo]

There's no "bad" win. There's win...

[@nikosofidemporas]

Well funny coming from a Portugues player. After 12 years Portugal's only trophy in 2016 came in similar fashion and the thing is they had a way easier path than Greece playing with Wales etc to reach a final where they were much worse and lucky to win. Greece played and won against very tough competition in 2004.

[@Constantine_IA]

Just a reminder Greece won it without a single penalty shootout which is insane for such team

[@90_plus_1]

Great point!

[@ALEXANDERCRETA1]

If you mean in every match in euro the second goal in the first match with Portugal it was from penaltie that won seitaridis from christiano Ronaldo and Agelos basinas makes the final 2-1

[@G30RG3KA]

and after Greece hadn't qualified for 24 years. I mean imagine that... like literally.. they were probably so happy just to qualify, and we fucking won it all.

[@Waragoras]

@@ALEXANDERCRETA1 no, as in a penalty shootout, such defensive football and they still never made it past 105 minutes, let alone 120

[@Nikolas_A]

Also scored in every game, even in the loss and draw

[@EdgeRatedR007]

I lived in Athens back then and every win had people out on the streets celebrating all night. It was a magical time.

[@zovil5154]

me too and was exactly like this

[@preslavkirov2841]

As a Bulgarian,much love for our south Balkan brothers,you were amazing,what a times,what a era of football,1998 to 2006 was next level! Take care all!❤

[@costenics_sw]

Thanks bro , Bulgaria did great also in World cup 1994

[@raunaqsalat4026]

blago darya!

[@GothPaoki]

I still remember that awful guardian article about Greece winning in 2004. Media were super pissed the underdog won.

[@90_plus_1]

Very strange too. It’s a great story! I know people wanted Czechia and the English media were also bitter because we blew an amazing opportunity. But how could you get so angry about Greece winning? It’s amazing!

[@kornaros96]

​@@90_plus_1for British leaf we speak about...

[@petergianakopoulos4926]

You read guardian? Trash

[@carig121]

Remember how i hated the super defensive style the Greeks played at the time, but they won the competition fairly only with their qualities, discipline, efficiency and solidarity, true spartans.

[@user-zg7um4et6n]

That goal vs France is one of the most beautiful plays I've ever seen. What a cross, and a heck of a header.

[@antoinecringemann]

Also the backspin touch after the sombrero over Lizarazu to set the ball for the cross

[@konellin189]

@@antoinecringemann thats exactly it...Newspapers wrote Z Z Z not Zidane Zagorakis....

[@CostarreraGT_the_allknowing]

The interception and pass by Katsouranis to Zagorakis, then the run by Katsouranis to draw out the defender... It was a 1000iq play by Katsouranis from start to finish. The others just did their part in a beautiful way. That match, Greece played attacking footballs for over half the game. Nobody talks about that!

[@mainsmain]

Huge respect to Greece and Otto, that man pulled some miracles

[@user-cb3qb2fs4j]

Thats why football is the king of team sports...everything can happen in a single game...Greece won that fair and square with unbelievable tactics teamwork and accurate exploit of their opponent's disadvantages and most of the world didnt know that 17 of the 22 players of the greek team were playing in the top 5 championships of Europe such as England, Germany, Portugal, Italy.....well done GREECE

[@josephlennon8475]

Bravo, Greece. We love you, mates.

[@FredericFreedom]

Otto was an ELITE coach

[@90_plus_1]

Yeah I wish I had time to go into more detail on him

[@supertrunksz]

@@90_plus_1 there is a great documentary called "King Otto" about him...

[@filippos2909]

You won my subscription when you did the "background check" for the greek team. Most people believe it was just pure luck (luck had a part as always in life) but fail to see that our players, although not well known, were established in their clubs, playing in champions league every year. Having celebrated victories over big clubs in Europe had given them the confidence that they're not inferior to other players.

[@90_plus_1]

Some of those Greek players were truly legendary. Giorgos Karagounis is one of my favourite international footballers ever. He always seemed to turn up for Greece over many years.

[@SaladFingers_]

​@@90_plus_1 Karagounis was an incredible player, and he is an even more incredible human being. Always gave 100% for the national team.

[@jpakos6701]

The Best month of my life ...and for millions other Greeks too !!!....It was BETTER THAN LSD ....IT WAS REAL !

[@melodictube11]

😂

[@DEAN_23]

As i lived in a Portuguese-dominated area of London at the time, I personally found it hilarious when Greece won, and that night, I slept like a baby....

[@unknown12367]

LOL

[@NovaHessia]

I was a conscript at the Bundeswehr at the time. Naturally, after Germany had been kicked out in the group phase, everyone in Germany supported Greece due to Rehagel. And the bar my platoon we went to in the evenings... was a Greek tavern. Ouzo and Sambucca flowed quite freely there as Greece won game after game... Man. What a time. Twenty years ago already.

[@daninagy4173]

This was my first Euros, and I loved how Greece beat Portugal. Twice. At home.

[@pavpav2099]

Best documentary about Greece 2004. Eyxaristo 😊

[@90_plus_1]

Thank you!

[@Alitheia777]

Yes, it's very difficult to find any English language videos on KZbin about this amazing team.

[@makisdimatos3427]

Santos was elected to be the next coach of Greece because of his presence in greek clubs, mostly AEK Athens then PAOK and Panathinaikos. He consider Greece his second home and was the only one to be respected like Rehaghel. After Santos left, Greece fail to qualify to Euro or world cup :(

[@kostasskf3306]

I was 14 back then and i remember that the final against Portugal was merely a typical procedure in most of our minds. As soon as that Dellas goal went in against the Czechs , we celebrated like we won it because after that, nothing could change the inevitable which was to lift the cup a few days later.

[@90_plus_1]

Yeah. Portugal vs. Czechia would have been a great game also. I think Rui Costa said he wanted to play the Czechs in the final because that Portugal team played better when they were scared.

[@nunoneves5809]

​@@90_plus_1 so true

[@panayiotes1649]

As a Greek fan, great respect for the Portugese, on what they have achieved on club and international level. They are real sports. They were very respectful at a bitter time for them in 2004 and as they were never poor loosers, they have became constant international winners ever since..

[@Karditsa1]

Bravo to the Portugal 🇵🇹

[@commantermormont1657]

I am a Greek and I was about 16 years old then. People criticised the way we played cause they were afraid that more teams would try to play anti-football to win. Many used our style, the question is, why didn't they succeed?? Because it is hecking hard! It requires a lot of discipline, teamwork, comradery and team spirit which is very hard to achieve. This team had something special. For just one thing I feel bad about that Euro. About that Chech team. They really deserved this cup as well. No other team, not even Portugal deserved it more than Greece or Chech.

[@johanlassen6448]

Correct. Haters gonna hate. To date I don't understand the flak Greece receives for actually winning. "Boring football" when they use it, but when Portugal does it in 2016 it is suddenly a-ok. Hypocritical. Greece went up against pretty much the most serious European opposition they could have faced in 2004 and they won. Without ever going to penalties, one might add.

[@br3menPT]

@@johanlassen6448 Im sorry be serious theres no relation between greece 2004 and portugal 2016.....again be serious!!

[@johanlassen6448]

@@br3menPT You are right. What Greece achieved in 2004 was incredible. The Portuguese victory, not so much. And unlike the Portuguese, the Greeks never had to win by penalties.

[@br3menPT]

@@johanlassen6448 LOL....Greece is nothing in football Portugal is Portugal ;) get your facts right!

[@johanlassen6448]

@@br3menPT Which is why the Greek achievement actually meant something. Besides, Portugal is just that. Portugal. Never won the WC. Just barely won the Euros because you went up against Poland and Wales. LOL. At least the Greeks had a true underdog story. You guys by contrast are supposed to be a "great team", except you will always play second fiddle to the actual great European teams like Spain, France and Italy.

[@vanderfragk]

Very accurate video. 2 years ago England -Greece 2-2 was not by accident Many people don't know that Greece faced Portugal also in a friendly match 20 days before euro and the score was 1-1.

[@konellin189]

giving those saxons every foul in the area beckham so he can score....

[@krisz6329]

It was the opening game for the newly built Da luz.. Karagounis was given a red card for handballing and saving a certain goal right on the goal line. The penalty that followed was lost for the Portuguese, leaving them without winning..

[@abudabanas]

The friendly game was held at the Estadio Municipal de Aveiro in November 2003. I think it was the opening game of the new stadium. Karagounis handed the ball on the line and was sent-off (32'). Nikopolidis saved the penalty and the rebound by Figo. A 10-man Greece took the lead with Lakis (47') and Portugal equalised with Pauleta (59'). Both were goals to watch.

[@gevorkgk]

This was such an impressive run by Greece. One for the ages surely.

[@SoulHuN7eR]

A great unbiased video. Greetings from Greece. 🫡

[@OzzY777777755555]

I AM FROM GREECE AND I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR NICEST WORDS AND YOUR LOVE FOR MY COUNTRY....when i see in football a small team playing with BARCELONA or REAL MADRID, i want every time to win the smallest team...it is very beautiful to see unknown players winning big competitions because its like winning the lottery...and back in 2004 the Greek players were so united and played the right football at the right moment...these players back in their teams was not so good players...but when they played all together in national team they were like F16 plane...they could make magic...and again thank you all for your lovely comments

[@telistse]

The best analysis i 've ever watched in KZbin about Greece 's triumph in EURO 2004. Thank you very much!

[@90_plus_1]

Thank you!

[@greekisback5842]

Griechenland hat das gemacht was mit diesem Team möglich war, die meisten Spieler waren International erfahren, keine Superstars, für viele hält Unbekannte Spieler, aber insgesamt hat Otto Rehhagel daraus ein Topteam gebildet, aus einer Starken Defensive geschlossen mitzuspielen, schaut euch nochmal die Spiele an, in jedem Spiel außer das mit Russland hat Griechenland Phasen Souveränität bewiesen, schaut euch den Pass von Tsiartas zum Tor gegen Spanien an. Der Mann ist ein Magier am Ball für die meisten bis dahin unbekannt.

[@Alitheia777]

Thank you for this! I am an American of Greek decent on my mother's side. My dad was a US Air Force officer stationed near Athens when i was 3 years old. I remember keeping up with the Greek international team and being amazed by their run to the championship. I try to find good content online about this team but there's shockingly very little on KZbin. Thanks for this video, it really provided alot of context for me. I am still so proud to be Greek, and that run in the Euros gave me a bit to crow about 😂 Hellas! 🇬🇷

[@90_plus_1]

Thanks for your comment!

[@navigator1313]

In a Greek documentary about the Euro 2004, player Takis Fyssas says that he remembers warming up before the extra time against the Czech Republic in the semifinal. He was laying on the pitch and the backup goalkeeper Fanis Katergiannakis was helping him prep while standing over him. At some point he told him very casually: "Fanis, you know you've got a pretty big nose, right?" Katergiannakis didn't respond, he kind of took the joke and continued helping his teammate. I'll always remember this story cause it shows how this team didn't really have anything to lose or to prove, and how much they actually enjoyed the game, even at a semifinal's extra time, a place where I dare say they didn't even imagine they would be. ❤

[@georgekanellopoulos6283]

True story!

[@kostasapazos1401]

It was Halkias not Katergiannakis, and he also said that the whole team laughed with the joke and that showed him what a great team spirit they had

[@lm7_gio]

In retrospect, 2004 was football's peak as a sport. Im not saying that because im Greek, but every time you see "underdogs" winning or having a fighting chance against the big names and the favourites, that means that the player base is so good througout the sport, and not just a few rich teams that have all the good players. So considering 2004 saw so many "lesser" teams winning titles all over Europe, its safe to say that this was the year football reached its peak as a sport.

[@alexchris8314]

An inclusive retrospective, kudos from an "eye witness" from Athens Greece !

[@AC-mh1qf]

And 2 years after France lost from Portugal, they learned their lesson and won the World Cup. So Greece inspired Portugal win of 2016, and France win of World Cup. So Greece deserves the World cup.

[@lympe13]

Very nice documentary! The accuracy on the details, the narration, the editing, everything! I still get emotional remembering those days, it was like living a dream. Something that you couldn't even imagine happening was just developing infront of your eyes! This is what football is about!

[@90_plus_1]

Thanks for the comment!

[@chris_mastoroudes]

Tha k you for creating such an amazing video of this story. I was exactly 30 years old that summer and it was of course the best summer of my entire life. Greece 🇬🇷 won the Euro, then went on to host the Olympic games with great success. The whole world was Greek that summer. It wasn't Portugal's, or France's, or the Czech Republic', or Spain's fault. The 12 God's of Olympus were there by the Greek player's side all along. In every goal post and in every corner. 🇬🇷 It had to be won by Greece. 🏆

[@ismailjankara6330]

The sheer quality of this video is unbelievable. Keep telling stories of the beautiful game. You will rise up fast. Please also cover Leicester City and Germany 7-1 Brazil

[@90_plus_1]

Thanks! Those are both in the plans already along with plenty of others.

[@zifo29]

As I Greek I remember the day of the final very well. It was one of the best days in my life. Young, in love and my national team won’t the Euros. I was euphoric

[@acidspit14]

Greece was doing back then what Real Madrid are doing now year in year out. Score 1 more goal than the opponent is the name of the game

[@lexkanyima2195]

This is different

[@Nick-jp7kp]

They discribed Greece as the only underdog which everyone want to see it get beaten , while according to xgoals system , in all knockout matches , Greece did have the biggest chance for scoring game's goal and in the same time it was impossible for anybody to create big threaten against Nikopolidis ( Greece's GK ) . Even againg Czech Republic , the best game's chance was for Greece ( Dellas' Silver Goal ) and the Xgoals difference was 0,9 -1 for Greece , while ball possesion was only 52% - 48% for Czechs . Greece was indeed an underdog , but an underdog which was the best team in the tournament .

[@kokafalasi]

Hey, I’d love to see xG stats for individual games of that tournament. Where do you find them?

[@90_plus_1]

xG is a very flawed metric to judge performance. Greece’s goals were very high xG chances and the defensive nature meant that Greece didn’t concede high xG chances… but also very true that Greece were not as horrible or negative as the media made it sound.

[@TheMaulam12345]

i rather watch greece 2004 than 2024 england. atleast greece know what they doing lol

[@nkscou9008]

@@90_plus_1 "defensive nature" ..hmmm Greece - Czechia Attempts on target 5 - 5 Offsides 4 - 2 Blocks 3 - 4 Fouls committed 16 - 27

[@1mation-yannisxylouris132]

@@nkscou9008 Wow! Great stats! Are you sure about those? With 52%- 48% possession, those stats prove the Greeks weren't playing just at their half of the field.

[@shieldwolfminiatures8645]

00:44 "where they lost to Spain..." Eh, yeah, the Greeks lost 1-0 to Spain because the referee somehow missed giving not one, but THREE penatlies to the Greeks! Anyone who watched the game knows it, one of the largest robberies ever.

[@90_plus_1]

Didn't know this, footage and match reports (in English) wer hard to find online. Thanks for the comment!

[@RoyTrenneman]

@@90_plus_1 True. I remember this. The score should have been 3-1 for Greece. The referee was absolute shite!

[@thanasiskaravokiros7101]

A team that played to its strengths, scored in every single game of the tournament (some goals were great vs Portugal both times and vs France) and never needed penalties. But sure - call it anti-football.

[@90_plus_1]

The phrase used in this video was "beautiful football". Pointing out what some sections of the media said isn't an endorsement of said media.

[@konellin189]

Back in the Day the papers wrote Z Z Z not Zidane...Zagorakis...after how he let Lizarazu run under the ball and nearly without looking at the ball delivered that perfect assist to Charisteas trademark header. And the fact that tons of team copied their playstyle also in the countries leagues should just show the jealous non football knowallers....what strategy can do....And for example having italy playing for decades catenagio should stop those comments of defensive fooball is dumb....the offense may win the game...but the league or cup is won by the defense.

[@90_plus_1]

Exactly, the comments of the media were very stupid.

[@NewPassportBro]

I’m part Greek and we were more surprised than anyone.

[@lefterisfotopoulosleuteris9485]

Proud of being Greek ..... 4/7/2004 .... I will forget this date

[@GarethWareth]

Another great video from the self-proclaimed GOAT of football content on YT

[@WhyIsThisHappening83]

I'm Greek and I will say this, both the losses to Greece for Portugal are the GKs fault. Obviously, lack of finishing, etc. are to blame also but the biggest fault goes to the GK. First game, he gives up a very soft goal to Karagounis, should have been saved from that distance and it being a soft shot, instead it set the tone of their downfall in that game. Final, on that corner, he came out and was lost in no man's land behind a bundle of players, Charisteas headed it down the middle, had the GK help his position, might have been able to push it away for a save. Also, for people who want to talk s*** about Greece, they are the only ones to score a goal in every game, didn't go to PKs, beat the host in the first match, beat them again after hearing how they were going to get revenge on us, how the critics were talking trash.

[@90_plus_1]

Yeah Ricardo was the hero against England but he actually didn't have a great tournament overall. I wish I'd gone more in depth about how stupid the media criticisms were also. Other EUROs champions have been much more "lucky".

[@aigamisoumalaka990]

Just to set record straight: you haven't given Greece their dues in their games against France and the Czechs. Greece took the game to France in the first half and had all the chances. And the Czechs 'chance after chance' was a random smashing volley off the bar in opening minutes, and Koller's chance near the end of the 90. Everything else was a half chance and they were nullified. Then, extra time was owned by Greece who had 3 chances within 15 minutes, with the pressure causing the corner that would win it. The game never restarted.

[@90_plus_1]

France game Greece did attack a lot in the first half, yes. But no, the Czech game they conceded a lot of chances and were very lucky. Not all chances were shown in the video. Call them half chances if you want to, but there were a few chances that definitely could have been scored… the game also did restart very briefly.

[@SpartanLeonidas1821]

@@90_plus_1The Greeks dominated the Overtime with THEEE Chances in 15 Minutes & the winning goal.

[@PaxAnimi]

​@@90_plus_1 The Czechs' gameplay gave you a quite tricky impression of dominance and a FALSE impulse of labouring 'many great chances'... Yet, besides the fact that I also saw that game (and still have it on tape in full length), I rather than on impressions would rely on hard data (OPTA stats): xgoals Czechs 0.9, xgoals Greeks 1.0 - even ball possesion can't provide any proof of czech 'dominance', as it was Cz 52% - Gr 48%. In comparison, in the game France vs Greece, where you admit a better greek performance and a more balanced game, the xgoals were France 1.0 and Greece 0.6! As an overall performance, the Greece 2004 defence worked out an outstanding 5.2% goals/goal chances ratio (that means their opponents had to produce an average of 19 goal chances to score 1 goal against Greece). This is one of the best ever values in football tournaments (WC & EC) history. Calling all this just 'luck' is a quite superficial approach and historically inaccurate. Thanks anyway.

[@SakisKotisis]

@@90_plus_1 if only there was a clear way to compare the quality of chances created! 🙄 xGoals Czech R. 0,9 : 1 Greece

[@MD.Dr.BillyAn]

I am Greek and proud of my country! I am proud of the rich and unique history of my homeland, and I consider Greece as the cradle of world civilization, which gave birth democracy, philosophy and science that I am proud to serve in my country as a doctor! After all, the father of medicine was a Greek from Kos and his name is Hippocrates, the one who says that every disease starts first from the soul-brain and then ends up in the body. And I will close by saying this phrase of Hippocrates which accompanies us throughout the history of Medicine starting from the mouth that said it, that is Hippocrates: ''The source of all diseases is sadness''.

[@danielroberts613]

Congratulations on this excellent presentation - fantastic work - deep in analysis and as to "why" Greece was ready and mature to achieve this huge feat.

[@user-ry4wm9tn2l]

There many thinks that many people didnt know...greek players were not that famous just because they are greeks but as talents many of them they were high level players...tsartas was one of the best left footer playmakers...nikopolidis was a great goalkeeper and better than the most of the keepers in that euro.And i want to remind that they were not in the greek squad many talented players like georgatos and zikos who was in monaco at the 2004 ch league final

[@storystudiosfilms]

What a great and well-researched video. Well done showing both sides of the story. 2004 is memorable in our collective minds in Greece but the fact that "our own" Fernando Santos managed to make things right for his country's team in 2016 felt like a fairy-tale ending for our Portuguese friends.

[@90_plus_1]

Exactly. I read an article from a Greek person about how many in Greece were cheering Portugal on for 2016 and I think there's so much beauty in that.

[@tns4421]

I am Greek and I was in Athens Syntagma central square when this happened. We were all speechless that our team played and won. Bad football? No. Great defence yes. Very lucky? Yes. Winners. It was the first time in history that we saw the global stars that we all admired so much but could not care less because our national team made us dream. And came true !!

[@90_plus_1]

Exactly! It was beautiful football.

[@johnsoulou9720]

To be honest. The game against the Czechs was the most crucial for us. When we pass to the final there was this feeling and the mentality that we have already won the cup. Prior and during the final we dancing and shouting like we had already won. No disrespect to Portugal but that was the feeling all over Greece.

[@lazarospetrou7452]

Hello from Greece I am proud about 2004 and sorry for other teams we had great players see their carriers after

[@nikmar77]

Actually Greece played very differently in the first and second matches against Portugal. In the first, they gave the ball to Portugal and tried to beat them by counter-attacks while in the final, because they knew that the Portuguese would know their play, they changed it up and played much more aggressively. In a recent interview Charisteas said so and he also said that they played a lot with the psychology of the opposing teams in order to gain the advantage. Portugal also had double the anxiety in the final than the first game which gave the Greeks more confidence

[@WarraFooty]

Class video!

[@papertoyss]

Strange thing is that when we won this tournament everyone over the internet was eager to humiliate us, and I never got why everyone was so determined to do it (now I do know). Is there a most beautiful thing than to win against the odds, with honesty and with the things (the qualities) you have? The Greeks never faked a penalty... They played with honesty and with what they had. Greece never was and she's still not a football country like Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, England, Germany, etc (notice that from the countries previously mentioned, England never won a Euro, and the Netherlands won it only once, with this magical team they had in the late 1980s that included Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, etc). So, when *you have to go to war against super powers* you fight with everything you've got. Everyone thought they knew what Greece had to fight with, and the fact that this team had achieved many wins and draws against football super powers just went completely under the radar. This was our secret weapon: none, and I mean *NONE* respected this team; none even noticed and evaluated what this team managed to do the years prior the 2004 EURO tournament. None ever managed to see that this team besides talent had something more that was Rehacles best achievement: to bond these players and to forge them into a team. No team has ever won anything without this quality. So the Greeks threw themselves into this battle and against all odds they came out winners. And this is, hilariously, yet another thing everyone missed reading: the Greeks in their long and remarkable history, they have repeatedly done exactly this: they have repeatedly won against all odds. What, you dont believe me? Ask Darius... or his son Xerxes. The Persians, the super duper mega power of their time, lost three times in a row from the Greeks: Marathon, Salamis, Plataea and yet what they never managed to forget (them and the rest of the World through space and time) was their bitter win over just 300 Greeks --> Thermopylae.

[@Haryostos]

Nice video. One thing that you missed though is that although Czechs were literally obliterating Greece in the 90 minutes, in the extra time, they didn't make a single chance. On the contrary Greece took over and played full offence making 3 chances (and 1 with Stelios Giannakopoulos was a crazy one).

[@Kinazides]

Thank you for creating this video! 🙏

[@CallumWatson-jp9xq]

Pauleta was so under rated

[@georgios9384]

Greta video, well done 👏💯

[@user-nc8oy7mk4t]

Excellent video! Many bravos! ❤

[@stbsabs4370]

Great video and this is truly one of the best stories in sports history.

[@dimitrisstrigkos2644]

Very well made and everything well said!

[@dimitriosdaukopulos3941]

Thanks bro!!!! For reminding us!!!!

[@dimitrischatzilias2223]

I think it was the biggest upset in the history of team sports. Just to give some background on the Greek team at that time: Our previous participations in final stage tournaments were in the 1994 World Cup (an absolute embarrassment with 3/3 defeats and 0 goal achieved), in the 1980 Euro (2 defeats, 1 scoreless draw), and that’s it. Our first win in the Euro of 2004 was already a triumph. People were out in the streets celebrating the biggest success ever of our football team. When we were set to play with France I was simply scared (and so were the players). I just wished for a descent performance; not to loose by more than 5 goals. This is how low the bar was. When we passed to the semi final, it started feeling surreal. I literally had the feeling that I was living in a dream, that something beyond logic was happening. Czech was probably the peak of the ecstasy. And when we went to the final, suddenly there was an absurd certainty. I think all Greek fans somehow knew that it could’t end differently. As much as I feel sorry for the amazing teams of Czech and Portugal (well, Spain too), this unforgettable fairy tale on that insane summer just had to happen.

[@StefanosP208]

In Greece, the Euro 2004 championship win is jokingly called "Το Πειρατικό" meaning "The Piracy", in reference to the Portugal's opening ceremony and how Greece literally boarded their ship and stole their treasure!

[@90_plus_1]

Amazing 😂😂

[@familyp2104]

Well done,great work!

[@Razorxgreece]

They mock greece and then they copy greece..that is the lesson.

[@arfenmalik1717]

I recall that Greece team was easily beaten by Brasil at the 2005 confederations How they won the Euros was a shocker. Scolari should have played Christiano as a striker. Greece beat him twice and that should have been alarming

[@90_plus_1]

Yeah he got a lot wrong that tournament, as many Portuguese fans pointed out at the time… Scolari’s career after that 2002 World Cup probably tells us that his success with Brazil was mostly down to the players.

[@SpartanLeonidas1821]

Greece beat Portugal 5 times in a span of 4 years back then. Greece also beat Spain inside Spain with 10 Men & went 1 1/2 Years undefeated 👍🏻

[@mainsmain]

2004 was literally a turning point for both nations, Greece did the impossible but ever since that tournament became irrelevant whilst Portugal went the opposite way and became a strong footballing nation

[@SpartanLeonidas1821]

@@mainsmain Portugal was already a strong Footballing Nation. You must understand that this is all they focus on, I never hear Portugal in any other sports. They also have the Brazilian Pool where they pick out players & the Great Spanish Pool & Schools as Neighbors. We lose A LOT of potential Footballers to other Sports. Greece actually did pretty well! They qualified for 1 Euro & 2 World Cups after that. Even progressing to the next stage in one of them. After that, however, with the Economic Crisis & Corruption of Greek Football, they are now back in a Dark Ages. However, this year is better for Greek Football despite their extremely unlucky NT. Olympiakos won the Uefa Conference League Olympiakos also won the Uefa Youth League Better days ahead for Greek Football I think. As far as accomplishments in Football, most of the smaller European Nations cannot even dream to have the Runs & Trophies that Greece has had for Club Teams & the NT. In all other Sports, I won’t even mention. They have some of thee Winningest Multi-Sports Clubs in the World. In all Team Sports & Individual Sports 🇬🇷👍🏻

[@sportschool3537]

@@90_plus_1 Obviously... I mean losing with that squad would have been more impressive than winning... the man had Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Gilberto Silva, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Rivaldo in the team... seriously... if you can't win with that then you should have your coaching license revoked...

[@tol8139]

You forgot to mention that in the game against France we stood eye to eye with them missing some great chances. They didn't just dominate us like you made it sound

[@ezraezra2928]

The year 2004 is absolutely full of surprises in world football. In South America, there was a Columbian minnow named Once Caldas, who made an international headline with their historic Copa Libertadores win after beating two Brazillian giants (Santos and next year's tournament winner Sao Paulo) and even beating the indomitable Boca Juniors team in the Final itself on penalties. All of these happened thanks to overwhelmingly negative football, much like the Greece national football team.

[@90_plus_1]

Awesome! Did not know this. It seemed every country had an underdog story in some form or another.

[@Moshie71]

Wow! Thought I remembered this story, but you brought it all back and more. 👍

[@CrawlerUK]

this one is a banger!!

[@90_plus_1]

Thanks mate!

[@user-cx6ii1vi8j]

Fantastic video congratulations

[@roundtwo____]

Where football logic ends the greek game begins. All Hail King Otto..

[@kazabubu10]

Excellent recap man...we were watching every game thinking "its the last one, we can't go further surely"...and then we beat the host in the final...ecstatic to have lived that one...and yes...the game against the Czechs was the most difficult...also all Greek goals post group stage were headers...crazy stuff...

[@PAULME_CH]

Amazing video!

[@achiachi7]

Excellent video

[@Chewmbacka]

Beatifully made vid!!!

[@KILLITXA00]

very nice video man.

[@WesleyNeedles]

Just discovered ur channel, hope you can post more and in 15+ minutes! Love listening to football analysis vids, especially before bed to fall asleep

[@90_plus_1]

Thanks mate! There’s plenty more to come 🫡

[@AC-mh1qf]

why you don't have 300k subs? that's absurd. Great video

[@90_plus_1]

One day 😅

[@kykgeorge]

Great vid

[@matthaiosvlachos3526]

Amazing video with some not known details

[@matthaiosvlachos3526]

Amazing video with some not known to.many people details

[@johnny6448]

great video

[@DJAlexMent]

as a greek, i wasent born in 2004 but, my father was at portugal when the final was held and he cried in joy when greece scored in the 58th minute, and yeah thats about my story of the 2004 euro

[@Marcus_Aurelius_6]

Best video for 2004 legacy!

[@DarkHardy20]

back2back bangers

[@boredraw]

great vid! 👏

[@90_plus_1]

Thank you 🙏

[@nikoniko3058]

Thank you for the nice video. I have to admit, we had a way to mess with our opponent's play. Also that it takes a lot of coordination, stamina, strength and talent to play defensive football. I think that many teams were frustrated as they could not reach peak performance with Greece and when they were trying to relax a bit, it was when Greece struck. We were unpredictable in that. Guardian and Telegraph, together with the rest of the British press for us belong to biased and useless media who also have in mind that England has not done well in any international tournament. Don't tell me about 1966, it was ages ago.

[@georgepartakias6120]

I'd say that this is a testament of the way outside forces like media, sponsors and other parties negatively work for the sport. i read comments about stars, underdogs and what not but the real signs of quality exist everywhere and overlooked. Inside the best leagues and worst alike i may add. i look back and see dominating forces like Germany, England and Italy with many great legends , legendary clubs, intimidating national teams and elite leagues, That at the same time have historically very small percent of players doing well on clubs away from their nation despite being talented. Same time you can see a player from a nobody team getting signed in a reknowed club and beiing the best player there. This is not because he learned better football there but rather because he is selling better there and he receives the gift of self confidence and recognition. Greece of 2004 had players of top class quality and even left out or used little more good players like Lyberopoulos, Tsiartas, Georgatos, Antzas, Stoltidis and more. Most of them never saw the light of world fame like many other players through out the world like Chinas legend Lee Wai Tong (1260 goals) or even Fernando Peyroteo from Portugal who won 11 titles with sporting (331 goals in 197 games 12 years career!!!).. the true surprise is how wrong we see things and luck has very little to do within 90 minutes in front of your actual performance. Imagine getting awarded 10 penalties in a match and lose them all. One would say bad luck but for whom? The one that missed them or the one thatallowed 10 penalties? And then did they randomly missed them or the keeper/fans pressure did a better job? A whole tournament is a lot of time and effort from all sides to be considered a fluke and we need to learn more on how to properly judge what's really in front of us. Thanks for your video @90+1 Football.

[@kgizzle92]

The difference between Portugal losing in 04 and France losing in 2016 is that 04 was tragic because it was the end of the golden generation…France was just at the beginning and they only got better!

[@Ramses060784]

❤❤❤❤ the memories

[@Karditsa1]

Hi, very very good video, bravo, you are f@cking good, research and good representation, πολύ καλό !

[@DescubriendoLaFlorida]

lol. I remember this. I was living in Spain and one of my roommates was Portuguese. Good laughs that night...

[@madpasch7676]

There is also another forgotten match between these two teams. Around a month prior to Euro 2004 a friendly match took held. As far I remember in this match Portuguese federation awarded Couto. Anyway again Greece had played well and even with 10 players had scored first but Portugal managed to equalise for a 1-1 match draw.

[@campion04]

When Canada lost to uraguay a few days ago in the 3rd place match at copa 2024. My only thought was “Greece could turtle a whole tournament, you could have turtled for 5 mins!”

[@nikosp7872]

I swear every Brit that makes a video about Euro 2004 has to include some pretentious bs by the most unbearable journalists in the world (a.k.a. the English) about how the footballing world "cried" when Greece won. Give me a break, anyone who loves football loves an underdog story and this was the ultimate one!

[@90_plus_1]

This was the point being made in the video. We were criticising the British media.

[@spiroslaskaris3075]

Long live Hellas long live the Patrida! 5000+ years of history this is just something we are used to! Hero’s of the world, cradle of the universe.