Greece Stuns Europe to Win Euro 2004
A team that had never won a match at a major tournament beat hosts Portugal in the final.
On 4 July 2004, the final of UEFA Euro 2004 took place at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, pitting tournament hosts Portugal against Greece. Portugal had earned hosting rights for the competition in October 1999, undertaking major infrastructure projects that included building or renovating ten stadiums across eight cities. Entering the tournament, the Greek national team were considered rank outsiders, facing long pre-tournament betting odds. Greece had appeared in only two previous major tournaments, earning a single point at Euro 1980 and losing all three group fixtures at the 1994 FIFA World Cup without winning a match.
The two teams had already met on 12 June in the opening match of Group A at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto. Greece produced an immediate upset by defeating the host nation 2–1, courtesy of an early strike from Giorgos Karagounis and an Angelos Basinas penalty. Although Greece later drew with Spain and lost their final group game against Russia, they qualified for the quarter-finals as runners-up on goals scored. Portugal recovered from their initial defeat to finish at the top of Group A, securing victories against both Russia and Spain.
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Image: Jarrett Campbell