European Champion in football

Coached by Otto Rehhagel, the Greek national team wins the UEFA Euro 2004 undefeated. This achievement draws global admiration! Host Portugal – of Luis Felipe Scolari – is defeated by Greece in both the opening game (2-1) and the final game (1-0). Greeks all over the world are in seventh heaven! "Incroyable mais grec" (unbelievable yet Greek), writes "L' Equipe." With a headshot by Angelos Charisteas, Greece defeats European champion France 1-0 (of Zidane, Henri, Trezeguet, Vieira, Barthez, Lizarazou, etc.) for the first time in its history. The national team goes to the semifinals of the event. The slogan "raise it, the... esteemed, I can't wait", to the melody of the song: "Ta kavourakia" (The Crabs) by Vasilis Tsitsanis, unites Hellenism! Greece is crowned European Champion. And an 18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo sobs uncontrollably, expressing Portugal's frustration. "A Homeric triumph" is the title of the Agence France-Presse. And "La Gazzetta Dello Sport," writes: "Greece becomes the myth of Europe. Rehhagel's National team ascended to the European throne in the year of the Athens Olympic Games."