Wednesday marked the 20th anniversary of Greece's unexpected and historic start to their Euro 2004 campaign, where they defeated hosts Portugal 2-1 in the opening match.
Συμπληρώνονται σήμερα 20 χρόνια από τότε που ξεκίνησε το μεγάλο ταξίδι προς την κατάκτηση του Euro 🇬🇷
Τοτε ήμουν 3 ετών και πλέον έχει μπει και το 2 μπροστά αλλά οι εφημερίδες της εποχής μου θυμίζουν το τι καταφέραμε
Μακάρι να το ξαναζήσουμε κάποτε 🙏#EURO2004 #Greece pic.twitter.com/5bjqjUuPOt
— Χρήστος Κονδύλης (@chriskondylis) June 11, 2024
It's been 20 years since Greece started their EURO 2004 campaign with an opening-game win against hosts Portugal 🇬🇷
One month later the Ethniki won it all.#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/19rZLRvipi
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) June 13, 2024
This victory set the tone for what would become one of the most remarkable underdog stories in football history.
Prior to 2004, Greece had a limited record in international football, having only qualified for Euro 1980 and the 1994 World Cup, collecting just a single point from those tournaments. Expectations were low for the Greek team, who were not anticipated to make a significant impact in Portugal.
However, Greece's win against Portugal, featuring goals from Georgios Karagkounis and Angelos Basinas, signaled their intent. Under the leadership of coach Otto Rehhagel, Greece employed a disciplined, old-school man-marking strategy that opponents struggled to break down. Rehhagel, despite initial scepticism about his appointment, guided the team with a focus on player strengths rather than complex tactical plans.
The Greek defence, particularly center-back Traianos Dellas, played a crucial role in their success, culminating in their victory over the Czech Republic in the semi-finals and a repeat win against Portugal in the final. This triumph was achieved through a cohesive team effort and strategic use of set plays.
The Euro 2004 victory remains a proud and historic achievement for Greek football, showcasing the power of teamwork and strategic planning in overcoming the odds.
Read more: Greek football