The Euro Cup, officially known as the UEFA European Championship, has always been one of the most anticipated football tournaments in the world, bringing together the best national teams from across Europe. The 2004 edition of the tournament, held in Portugal, was no exception, and it culminated in one of the most unexpected and thrilling finals in the history of the competition.
As Portugal hosted the championship, there was a palpable sense of optimism and fervor among the home fans, who hoped and expected their team, featuring stars like Luis Figo and the emerging talent of Cristiano Ronaldo, to lift the trophy. The final, played on July 4, 2004, would pit the hosts against Greece, a team that had never before experienced the jubilation of such high-stakes football.
Greece’s journey to the final was nothing short of miraculous. Most football pundits and fans had written the team off as underdogs with little chance of advancing far in the tournament. Coached by Otto Rehhagel, Greece adopted a pragmatic and disciplined style of play that emphasized strong defensive organization and exploiting set-piece opportunities. This strategy paid off handsomely as they defied the odds and knocked out more fancied teams, including defending champions France and a