Portugal 0-1 Greece

Greece pulled off one of the biggest shocks in football history to beat Portugal in the Euro 2004 final.

Angelos Charisteas scored from the Greeks' first corner after 57 minutes, heading in an Angelis Basinas cross.

And the Greek defence then stifled the hosts' flair in a tense second half, led by the inspired Traianos Dellas.

Portugal surged forwards and came close through Cristiano Ronaldo, Maniche, and Luis Figo but Greece goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis stood firm.

The hosts were frustrated from the start by a superbly-drilled Greek side, pulled together by coach Otto Rehhagel.

It was disappointment for Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who failed to add the European crown to the World Cup he won with Brazil two years ago.

The Greeks made it a double over Portugal after beating them 2-1 in the opening game of the tournament.

And few could begrudge them their joy after they also beat holders France and the free-scoring Czech Republic.

They retreated quickly into defence in typical style, leaving Portugal to take the early initiative in front of an expectant and fanatical Stadium of Light crowd.

And Nikopolidis was forced into a fine save from Miguel's low drive after 13 minutes.

But Rehhagel's disciplined side also occasionally broke the shackles to pose a threat of their own, Portugal keeper Ricardo needing to be brave at the feet of Charisteas after good work from Zisis Vryzas.

Greece had another narrow escape when Deco's corner was only partially cleared and Maniche's shot from the edge of the area flashed only inches wide.

But it was a rare moment of danger as their packed rearguard, sometimes with 10 men on the edge of the penalty area, started to frustrate their hosts.

Early in the second half, Greece broke the deadlock in dramatic style with a trademark header from Charisteas.

He met a corner from Basinas powerfully to beat Ricardo and spark wild scenes of celebration among Greek fans.

Portugal were stunned, but Ronaldo tried to deliver an instant response, only to see his 20-yarder blocked by Nikopolidis.

Scolari then made a typically bold substitution on the hour, removing an unhappy Costinha to send on veteran Rui Costa.

And Ronaldo immediately had his best opportunity lifting the ball over the bar when put clean through.

Captain Figo almost snatched an equaliser as the seconds ticked away, but his shot was deflected agonisingly wide.

And once Greece had run down five minutes of injury time, the final whistle from referee Markus Merk was the signal for joyous scenes among their fans, with coach Rehhagel being mobbed and players collapsing to the ground in tears.

Portugal: Ricardo, Miguel (Paulo Ferreira 43), Andrade, Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Maniche, Costinha (Rui Costa 60), Ronaldo, Deco, Figo, Pauleta (Nuno Gomes 74).
Subs not used: Moreira, Quim, Couto, Beto, Petit, Postiga, Rui Jorge, Simao, Tiago.

Booked: Costinha, Nuno Valente.

Greece: Nikopolidis, Seitaridis, Kapsis, Dellas, Fissas, Zagorakis, Katsouranis, Basinas, Giannakopoulos (Venetidis 76), Vryzas (Papadopoulos 81), Charisteas.
Subs not used: Chalkias, Katergiannakis, Dabizas, Georgiadis, Goumas, Kafes, Lakis, Tsiartas.

Booked: Basinas, Seitaridis, Fissas, Papadopoulos.

Attendance: 62,865.

Referee: Markus Merk (Germany).

TRIVIA