Euro 2004 - results and discussion

[Dino310]

Portugal - Greece 1-2
In the biggest opening-game upset in European Championships history, Greece beat host Portugal, 2-1, at the start of the three-week soccer showcase on Saturday.
Georgios Karagounis and Angelis Basinas scored for Greece, which recorded its first victory in a major tournament. This was the first time the host lost in its opener since the group format began in 1984.
Ronaldo scored for Portugal in the third minute of injury time, on a header off a corner kick by Luis Figo.

Spain - Russia 1-0
Second half substitution Valeron Juan Carlos became the team hero as he scored the only goal to hand the Spain a 1-0 win over Russia in the European soccer championship here on Saturday.

Today's game in Lisbon between France and England could test Portugal's ability to handle potentially violent crowds. About 30,000 English fans (!!) are expected in Lisbon, even though many do not have tickets for the game. The authorities are placing 600 officers in and around the stadium, in addition to 700 stewards.

[Miltos]

Thanks Dino, for starting this thread/topic about EURO 2004.
Great news for my country team! (I am Greek, but I didn't watch the game because I make another businness travel at Eastern Europe). Georgios Karagounis is a player of Inter Milan, and the Seitaridis just took tranferred to Porto.
I hope to today England and Swen Erickson go well! maybe France is the 'favorite' for the Championship but every football game lover knoes what to support!!!!
As The Farm is singing, 'go all together now' go England, go!

[Kilroy]

Fantastic game, Greece!!! And Spain - I hope they'll finally make to the 1/2 finals (or even higher).

And today, a BIG game, a "classic" - France against England. Wow, this is gonna be cool! Both teams probably have their best squads in the last few years. I remember England from Italy'90 - with fantastic players (Lineker, Gazza, Barnes, 41-year old Shilton, Platt, etc.). Now they have great midfielders - Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes. But France is a very, VERY strong team with experienced players (defenders, Zidane, and of course "The King" Henry), and some very talented youngsters. So, who's gonna win this? I think, that the winner of this match will play in the big final.

[Dino310]

Zidane breaks English hearts...
Two stoppage-time goals from Zinedine Zidane, a majestic free-kick and a penalty, left England heart-broken as France began the defence of their European Championship crown in exhilarating fashion with a 2-1 victory.

England had got within three minutes of a memorable victory thanks to Frank Lampard's first-half header and a disciplined defensive display that preserved their lead beyond the expiry of the 90 regulation minutes here on Sunday.
But they were made to pay a heavy price for David Beckham's failure to convert a 72nd-minute penalty - superbly saved by Fabien Barthez - as Zidane once again demonstrated why he is regarded as the best footballer on the planet.

French coach Jacques Santini said the never say die attitude of the team was typical of their spirit.

Sven-Goran Eriksson was left cursing his luck. "We were terribly unlucky," said the Swede. "It was a great game by us tactically.
We have got to get our heads up and play football like today and you will see England in the quarter-finals," said Eriksson. "We did what we had to do against France. We were very unlucky today but I am hopeful that we will meet France on 4 July and I don't think we would have bad luck twice.
You can never really control a team like France because they have too many options going forward, but they didn't create too many chances," said Eriksson.

In the other game (one of the most boring of the tournament!) Croatia - Switzerland: 0-0.

[DJ Rhodes]

And today, a BIG game, a "classic" - France against England. I think, that the winner of this match will play in the big final.
Fantastic game, a game for breaking hearts! I was remembering something similar, in the Champions League where Manchester turned upside down the game result against Bayern Munich. But Kilroy, probably these two teams as Swen said, will have possibilities to be the finalsts of the Euro2004. The first and the second of the B group (France and England), they will play against the 1st - 2nd of the A group (probably will have games France-Greece and England-Spain !!!)

[MAZZA234]

In the Italy 0 Denmark 0 match, Italy lacked any of the flair that we were all hoping for - instead they were sitting back being rather lazy. No wonder Trappatoni feels so ennoyed with his team of late!

But his choice of players are also not helping. Why pick Del Piero?? He's so overated! Just look at his performance in the euro 2000 final against France. As soon as he came off yesterday by Cassano ( the player of the year in my opinion) Italy eased up a gear.

Italy need to get their act together! Sweden have already thrown the gauntlet down with that 5-0 thrashing of Bulgaria (although the score shouldn't have been that emphatic).

[lumideeluva]

whoa sweden!
5-0, and i thaought they were ****
england as unlucky as ****

[DJ Rhodes]

I agree totally with you MAZZA324: what the hell is thinking Trapatoni?

Holland - Germany: 1-1
Today, Ruud rescues awful Holland: Ruud van Nistelrooy netted a late goal as Holland played out a 1-1 draw with Germany in their Euro 2004 Group D opener.
Torsten Frings had put Germany in front on the half-hour with a free-kick but a trademark poacher's goal from van Nistelrooy on 81 ensured neither side would join the Czech Republic at the top of the group.
After a bright opening few minutes for the Dutch, Germany were much the better side and it was no surprise to see them go in front when Frings' free-kick from out on the left evaded everyone in the area and curled in.
Rafael van der Vaart went close to levelling in the closing stages of the half when he sent a shot just wide while Marc Overmars forced a great save out of Oliver Kahn after the break.
But time looked to be running out until Andy van der Meyde crossed from the right and van Nistelrooy converted.

Chech Republic LATVIA: 2-1 Late goals from Milan Baros and Marek Heinz bailed out the Czech Republic as they opened their Euro 2004 Group D campaign with a 2-1 defeat of gallant Latvia. Maris Verpakovskis netted on the stroke of half-time to give the men from the Baltic the lead and they held on until first Baros (73) then Heinz (85) broke their hearts in Aveiro. The Czechs dominated in the first half and only failed to score because of a combination of inept shooting and fine goalkeeping by Aleksandrs Kolinko.
The Baltic side showed little ambition but on the stroke of half-time Igors Stepanovs found Andrejs Prohorenkovs down the left and his cross was converted by Verpakovskis. The pattern of play continued after the break but it looked as if the Czechs' efforts would be in vain as first Karel Poborsky struck the post then Baros squandered two chances.
Kolinko then came to his side's rescue again by saving well from Pavel Nedved but a weak punch from the keeper three minutes later presented Baros with the chance to level and he made no mistake with a powerful shot.
Substitute Heinz gave Latvia a scare eight minutes from time as his long-range shot clipped the top of the bar, but he did not have long to wait as three minutes later he lashed the ball home to give the Czechs all three points.

[Dino310]

Sweden - Bulgaria : 5-0
Germany - Holland : 1-1
Spain - Greece: 1-1
England - Switzerland: 3-0

Wayne Rooney inspired England to victory over a dogged Switzerland! Rooney, 18, became the youngest player to score in a European Championship after he guided a header past Joerg Stiel from a Michael Owen cross.
On the hour Bernt Haas was red-carded and soon after Rooney's rifled shot hit the post and richocheted off keeper Stiel's head into the net.
Late on Steven Gerrard arrived to score a third when he popped up to scoop home Gary Neville's cross from the right.
The early signs for England were distinctly unpromising as the players struggled to adapt to playing in temperatures above 30 degrees.

England: James, Gary Neville, Campbell, Terry, Ashley Cole, Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes (Hargreaves 70), Owen (Vassell 72), Rooney (Dyer 83).
Subs Not Used: Robinson, Walker, Bridge, Phil Neville, King, Carragher, Butt, Joe Cole, Heskey.
Booked: Rooney.


Switzerland: Stiel, Haas, Murat Yakin, Muller, Spycher, Huggel, Celestini (Cabanas 53), Wicky, Chapuisat (Gygax 45), Hakan Yakin (Vonlanthen 84), Frei.
Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Roth, Berner, Henchoz, Zwyssig, Magnin, Barnetta, Rama.
Sent Off: Haas (60).
Booked: Celestini, Haas.

Attendance: 30,000.
Referee: Valentin Ivanov (Russia).

[DJ Rhodes]

Russia 0-2 Portugal
Russia 2-1 Greece
Spain 0-1 Portugal
England 3-0 Switz
Croatia 2-2 France
Croatia 2-4 England
Switz 1-3 France
Bulgaria 0-2 Denmark
Italy 1-1 Sweden
Italy 2-1 Bulgaria
Denmark 2-2

The Italians are going to love this!... (from Independent online)
Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni said he was uncertain about whether he would stay on following the Azzurri's Euro 2004 exit on Tuesday.
"I don't know about my future with Italy," Trapattoni told reporters after Italy were knocked out despite beating Bulgaria 2-1. I have a contract until July 15th and I have an excellent relationship with the federation. As a philosopher said, the future brings opportunities," said the 65-year-old coach.

'We probably performed below our ability'
Asked whether he was considering resigning before the end of his contract, Trapattoni, who took over the side from Dino Zoff shortly after the Euro 2000 final defeat by France, said: "My contract finishes on July 15th. I don't see a problem."

Trapattoni's comments left the strong impression that he is expecting to move on once the dust has settled on another disappointing tournament for the 1982 World Cup winners.
Italian Football Federation president Franco Carraro was also far from clear about Trapattoni when asked on Italian television about the management of the team. "The federal council meets on Friday, June 25. Of course, during the course of the meeting we will discuss everything, we will examine this European Championship which clearly was not positive," he said. "We were knocked out with five points. We did well but we did not do enough.... We probably performed below our ability. That is a fact."
If Trapattoni did go, former Juventus boss Marcello Lippi would be the clear favourite to take over.

Trapattoni was a popular choice as Italy coach with his more light-hearted approach contrasting with the dour and serious Zoff. But the results have not been as good as expected from a squad packed with talented Serie A players.
Italy qualified in style for the World Cup two years ago but failed to impress as they were eliminated in the second round by co-hosts South Korea.
The qualification campaign for Euro 2004 started badly with a draw at home to Serbia and Montenegro followed by a defeat by Wales which prompted calls for Trapattoni to be replaced.
Although the Azzurri recovered to book a place in Portugal comfortably, the performances in Portugal were again well below expectations.

[Dino310]

Italy 2-1 Bulgaria
Denmark 2-2 Sweden
The Italians are going to love this!...

As Italian (native) I am very dissapointed about the Azzuri. One of our worst appearances in final stage of soccer ever...

Holland 3-0 Latvia
Germany 1-2 Czech Rep

Germany coach Rudi Voeller has resigned after his team's early exit from the European Championship in Portugal.
His side were eliminated from the Euro 2004 tournament following a 2-1 defeat to the Czech Republic on Wednesday.
Voeller had insisted he wanted to stay after the defeat, but the former World Cup-winning striker changed his mind. "After long consideration, I have decided to step down," said Voeller, who had a contract until the World Cup in 2006 which will be held in Germany.

The 44-year-old Voeller said the national side needed a new start before the 2006 World Cup. "I have the feeling that only someone who is untarnished and has a certain credibility - like I had four years ago - can do the job over the next two years," he said.

The leading candidate to replace Voeller is believed to be Ottmar Hitzfeld, who was sacked as Bayern Munich coach at the end of last season. Vorfelder added: "It is clear that the name of Ottmar Hitzfeld will figure in our thinking."

[Tobee]

Dumb *** Rudi Völler... how could he believe to win that game with only one striker... and as he finally recognized at the beginning of the 2nd half, that this is no solution to win a game, it was nearly all over already... very embarassing for Germany to lose against a B-Team, but I don't care, they have new young players who will have their time in the future... welcome Worldchampionship 2006

[Miltos]

very embarassing for Germany to lose against a B-Team, but I don't care, they have new young players who will have their time in the future... welcome Worldchampionship 2006

Tobee, I believe that your national league has many players from abroad and this is not giving the ability to german young players to have enough time to play in the games. And the worst is that your teams haven't A-Class players (Like Zidane, Anrie, Trezegue, Figo Davids etc) but players from abroad B-Class.
But until 2006, without games for the national team, do you believe that there is time for any trainer to built a strong team?

Portugal-England quarter-final 2-2 after extra time
Portugal's Euro 2004 quarter-final against England went to penalties on Thursday after the game finished 2-2 after extra time.
England took the lead in the third minute when Michael Owen snapped up a weak defensive header from Costinha and beat goalkeeper Ricardo for his first goal of the tournament.
The hosts equalised after 83 minutes when Helder Postiga glanced in a near-post header from a cross by fellow substitute Simao Sabrosa and forced silver-goal extra time.
Rui Costa fired Portugal into the lead with a shot from the edge of the box 20 minutes into extra time but England midfielder Frank Lampard turned the ball in from close range with five minutes to go to force penalties.
The winners will go into a semi-final against Sweden or the Netherlands on June 30 at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon.

And now the excuses about the result: England blames 'idiot ref'!!!
Sol Campbell could have been forgiven for waking up with that deja vu feeling after his harshly disallowed goal cost England a place in the Euro 2004 semi-finals.
England were ultimately beaten 6-5 on penalties by host nation Portugal as their appalling record in shoot-outs continued.
But that would not have taken place had referee Urs Meier decided to allow Campbell's headed effort in the final seconds of normal time. His assistant, who had been perfectly placed, was already running back to the half-way line for the kick-off.
But the Swiss official took it upon himself to chalk off the goal for what could only have been the slightest of contact by John Terry against Portugal keeper Ricardo. It was a mirror of the 1998 World Cup clash with Argentina when Campbell had another perfectly good goal disallowed as England also went out of that tournament on penalties after drawing 2-2.
Defender Gary Neville said: "Sol's goal was a goal. I don't think Sol was anywhere near the goalkeeper at the time he was penalised. I didn't think it was a foul. I don't think anyone in the stadium thought it was a foul other than the referee. "I thought the referee wasn't the best. I don't think he was poor just towards us. I think he was a little bit petty at times."
Midfielder Frank Lampard said: "We didn't play at our best but we worked very hard to get back in the game and had a goal ruled out which was basically a fair goal. "We all knew that at the time. It was taken away from us when it would have finished the game. "I think the linesman was running back to the half-way line to give the goal but the referee decided not to give it when there was nothing wrong with it. That makes it even worse."
Defender Terry added: "People have said it was definitely not a foul and if that goes in and is allowed then we are through to the next stage. "It's terrible. The linesman gave it but the ref overruled him. I think the keeper fouled his own player. We didn't get much luck with the referee. He wasn't great but there's no point in us coming out here and giving the ref loads of stick. We had chances to win the game and we didn't."
Neville could hardly contain his disappointment and admitted: "These are the sorts of games that if you get through them, you win major tournaments. "Sadly we didn't get through it and our chance has gone. It is devastating and disappointing for everyone in England because everybody genuinely believed we could do it."

[DJ Rhodes]

As a Greek, I'm proud most for the team appearence and less for the result. French arrived only two times in our goalkeeper in 90 minutes! Go Greece,go! :-)


Greece shocks France in Euro 2004!!!
(Whasingtron Times) - A second-half goal from Angelo Charisteas gave Greece the biggest soccer victory in the country's history Friday night, 1-0 over France.
The triumph put Greece in the semifinals of Euro 2004.
Greece had never won a major tournament match before opening group play with a 2-1 triumph over host Portugal on June 12. It went 1-1-1 in the round-robin portion of the tournament before facing France.
Despite being a heavy underdog, the Greeks never budged against France, which has won two of the last five European Championships, claimed the 1998 World Cup and entered the event ranked second in the world behind Brazil.
Ranked just 35th, Greece got the only goal it needed in the 65th minute as Charisteas headed Theo Zagorakis' floater past goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.
Greece faces Sunday's Czech Republic-Denmark winner in the semifinals.
Saturday's quarterfinal sends Sweden against the Netherlands with the winner taking on Portugal.

[Dino310]

From BBC the 'missing' matches in the thread!! :-)

Holland end Swede dream: 0-0, (Holland go through 5-4 on penalties)

Holland reached the semi-finals with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Sweden. The inspirational Arjen Robben scored the winning penalty after Edwin van der Sar saved Olof Mellberg's spot-kick.
Swedish keeper Andreas Isaksson had kept his side in the game, though he enjoyed some luck as well, notably when a Robben shot hit the post.
Sweden also hit the woodwork first through a Henrik Larsson volley and then Fredrik Ljungberg's low shot, but Holland were worthy winners.
Initially Holland had concentrated their attacks down the Swedish left, with the Chelsea-bound Robben prominent in the best of those Dutch attacking movements. As early as the fourth minute Isaksson had to punch clear a Robben cross and soon after the Swedish goalkeeper did well to tip over the bar a shot from the Dutch winger. A long-throw from the Dutch right was then flicked on by Philip Cocu to Ruud van Nistelrooy but his shot was bravely blocked by Mellberg. Another feature of Holland's attacking play was the way Robben and Holland's other winger Andy van der Meyde frequently swapped flanks. It was from the left wing that Robben broke inside and linked well with Van Nistelrooy, to set up a shot for Michael Reiziger.
Deprived of possession Sweden were restricted to a couple of tame efforts from free-kicks though just before the interval Mattias Jonson crossed for Anders Svensson, whose goalbound shot was blocked by Wilfred Bouma. Ten minutes after the interval a Jaap Stam mis-kick landed at the feet of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the Swedish striker's shot was cleared by Cocu.
On 83 minutes Ibrahimovic set up substitute Kim Kallstrom, whose shot was superbly blocked by Johnny Heitinga. As the game opened up Van Nistelrooy, who was isolated for long periods in the game, began to find more space.
Just past the hour Van Nistelrooy killed Clarence Seedorf's diagonal pass on his chest and the ball went just wide after the Dutch striker's shot rebounded off Isaksson.
In the closing stages of normal time Holland piled on the pressure and Van Nistelrooy and Roy Makaay went close. Holland dominated the first period of extra-time, a Robben effort hitting the post after the swerve of the shot deceived Isaksson.
However the Swedish goalkeeper recovered himself as he dived low to fist away Seedorf's shot. Isaksson made an even better save from a Seedorf free-kick when he flung himself to his right to get his hand to the ball. But Sweden also went close, notably when Larsson swivelled and volleyed against the bar and then Ljungberg's low shot rebounded off the post.
Holland had lost penalty shoot-outs in 1992, 1996, 1998 and 2000, but after Van der Sar threw himself to save Mellberg's effort, Robben calmly slotted the ball into the corner.

Sweden: Isaksson, Ostlund, Mellberg, Jakobsson, Nilsson, Jonson (Wilhelmsson 64), Linderoth, Ljungberg, Svensson (Kallstrom 81), Ibrahimovic, Larsson.
Subs not used: Hedman, Kihlstedt, Lucic, Mjallby, Hansson, Andersson, Farnerud, Allback, Wahlstedt.
Booked: Ibrahimovic, Ostlund.

Holland: Van der Sar, Reiziger, Stam, de Boer (Bouma 35), Van Bronckhorst, Davids (Heitinga 61), Seedorf, Cocu, Van der Meyde (Makaay 87), van Nistelrooy, Robben.
Subs not used: Westerveld, Waterreus, Kluivert, Van der Vaart, Sneijder, Overmars, Van Hooijdonk, Bosvelt, Zenden.
Booked: de Boer, Van der Meyde, Makaay.

Attendance: 30,000.
Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia).
-------------------------------------------

Czech Republic -Denmark: 3-0
Striker Milan Baros fired the Czech Republic into the semi-finals of Euro 2004 with two superb goals in the second half against Denmark. Jan Koller had given the Czechs the lead after the break when he headed in Karel Poborsky's corner.
But it was Baros who stole the show, first lifting the ball over Denmark's Thomas Sorensen after latching on to Poborsky's clever through-ball. Baros then met Pavel Nedved's pass to smash home his second inside the area.
The Czech Republic will face Euro 2004's surprise package Greece in Thursday's semi-final, with Baros now the competition's leading scorer on five goals. The Czech Republic, who went into the quarter-final as the tournament's standout team to date, started brightly. Target man Koller and his accomplice Baros kept the Denmark defence busy early on, while captain Nedved pulled the strings in midfield. All three tested Denmark keeper Sorensen and Thomas Galasek tried his luck from range for the Czechs. Denmark gradually imposed themselves on the game, their passing and movement accurate but without really posing much of a threat. Given the importance of the encounter, caution was the dominant theme of a sterile first half.
But all that changed after the interval.
The game desperately needed a goal and it came four minutes into the second half when Koller rose unmarked in the Denmark area to head in Poborsky's corner. Nedved burst forward to win the corner, but questions will be asked of Denmark defender Martin Laursen, who inexplicably failed to pick up the giant striker. Denmark came back at the Czechs immediately, and Marek Jankulovski did well to keep Jon Dahl Tomasson at bay with a timely challenge. The Czech Republic then stepped up a gear of their own and the game was effectively over as contest after two excellent goals in two minutes by Baros. Sensing that the game had swung in their favour, Poborsky stormed down the right and picked out Baros with an exquisite through-ball. The Czech forward kept his cool when going in on goal and finished with a deft chip over Sorensen. If his first goal was all about finesse, Baros' second was a product of his powerful left foot as he smashed Nedved's defence-splitting pass past a shellshocked Sorensen.
That was Baros' fifth goal of the tournament, making him Euro 2004's leading scorer.
Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner opted to save his star striker for the semi-final and replaced him with the exciting Marek Heinz. Denmark offered little in response after seeing their hopes of a meeting with Greece dashed within the space of minutes.
The Czechs finished strongly and will go into Thursday's game brimming with confidence after another accomplished performance.


Czech Republic: Cech, Jiranek (Grygera 39), Ujfalusi, Bolf (Rozehnal 64), Jankulovski, Galasek, Poborsky, Rosicky, Nedved, Koller, Baros (Heinz 70).
Subs Not Used: Blazek, Kinsky, Mares, Smicer, Lokvenc, Vachousek, Hubschman, Tyce, Plasil.
Booked: Jankulovski, Ujfalusi, Nedved.

Denmark: Sorensen, Helveg, Laursen, Henriksen, Bogelund, Poulsen, Claus Jensen (Madsen 71), Gravesen, Gronkjaer (Rommedahl 78), Tomasson, Jorgensen (Lovenkrands 85).
Subs Not Used: Skov-Jensen, Andersen, Niclas Jensen, Sand, Kahlenberg, Kroldrup, Daniel Jensen, Priske, Perez.
Booked: Poulsen, Bogelund, Gravesen.
Attendance: 41,092.
Referee: Valentin Ivanov (Russia).

[Miltos]

Portugal 2-1 Holland

Portugal sent the host nation into raptures by beating Holland to reach the final of Euro 2004.
Cristiano Ronaldo escaped slack Dutch marking to head Portugal into a first-half lead.
Luis Figo hit the post before Nuno Maniche doubled Portugal's lead in the second half with a stunning strike.
An own goal from Jorge Andrade handed the disappointing Dutch a lifeline but Portugal held out to reach their first final of a major championship.
After a cagey opening the game began to open up and Ronaldo's lunge was a whisker away from connecting with Figo's cross.
Figo's electric 70-yard run at pace ended with a ball back to Ronaldo to fire his shot straight at Edwin van der Sar.
The livewire Figo looked a different player to the one withdrawn against England and he again showed his pace to run at Michael Reiziger and as his dangerous cross came in Wilfred Bouma slid in to nick the ball away from Pauleta.
But the disappointment did not last long as Portugal swept into the lead on 26 mins. Figo's inswinging corner found the Dutch marking wanting and Ronaldo got in between Reiziger and Giovanni van Bronckhorst to power in a downward header.
As Holland sought an equaliser Edgar Davids broke down the left and his cross dropped at the far post for Marc Overmars who blasted over from eight yards.
Davids then tricked his way past Miguel to whip in a cross at the near post for Clarence Seedorf, whose header came off Andrade for a corner.
Portugal should have doubled their lead on 35 minutes when Deco's deft touch sent Maniche clear and his cross was met by Pauleta whose under-powered close-range shot allowed van der Sar to save.
The host nation were gaining the upper hand but Holland nearly forced their way back five minutes before half-time, only for Ruud van Nistelrooy's clinical finish to be wiped out by an offside flag.
At the other end, Figo worked himself a yard of space to curl a delicious left-foot shot against van der Sar's right-hand post with the keeper floundering.
Holland replaced Overmars with Roy Makaay at the start of the second half to try and give support to the lonely van Nistelrooy.
Holland almost over committed themselves on 55 minutes as Ricardo's long punt caught them out and Pauleta raced clear - but the mis-firing frontman shot straight at van der Sar.
But Portugal put one foot in the final on 56 minutes with a stunning goal from Maniche.
Holland were caught napping as Ronaldo tapped a short corner to Maniche who from the corner of the penalty area curled in a blistering right-foot shot past van der Sar.
The game was far from over and Portugal gifted Holland a lifeline on 63 minutes when Andrade's attempt to clear van Bronckhorst's cross looped the ball over the stranded Ricardo.
Seedorf then whipped a free-kick across the face of goal and van Bronkhorst, Makaay and van Nistelrooy all agonisingly failed to make contact.
Holland were prone to Portuguese breaks and when Miguel got forward to screw the ball back to Maniche, Cocu bravely threw himself in front of the shot to deny an almost certain third goal.
Coach **** Advocaat played Holland's last card when he sent on Pierre van Hooijdonk to partner Makaay and van Nistelrooy but central defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Andrade cemented their growing reputations by ushering Portugal to the final.
It was a nail-biting climax, but when the referee blew for full-time, the Portuguese were in a final at last - and the celebrations could begin.

Portugal: Ricardo, Miguel, Andrade, Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Ronaldo (Petit 67), Maniche (Couto 87), Costinha, Figo, Deco, Pauleta (Nuno Gomes 75).
Subs Not Used: Quim, Moreira, Paulo Ferreira, Rui Jorge, Rui Costa, Simao, Beto, Tiago, Postiga.
Booked: Ronaldo, Nuno Valente, Figo.

Holland: Van der Sar, Reiziger, Stam, Bouma (Van der Vaart 55), Van Bronckhorst, Davids, Seedorf, Cocu, Overmars (Makaay 45), van Nistelrooy, Robben (Van Hooijdonk 81).
Subs Not Used: Westerveld, Waterreus, Van der Meyde, Kluivert, Sneijder, Heitinga, Bosvelt, Zenden.
Booked: Overmars, Robben.

Attendance: 46,679.
Referee: Anders Frisk (Sweden).

[Miltos]

Greece 1-0 Czech Rep
(0-0 at 90 mins, Greece win on silver goal rule)

Greece ripped up the form book by beating Euro 2004 favourites Czech Republic with a silver goal to face host nation Portugal in the final.
Traianos Dellas lost his marker at a corner to glance home the winning goal seconds from the end of the first period of extra-time.
The Czechs had their chances, with Tomas Rosicky striking the crossbar.
But the plucky Greeks worked tirelessly to deny the Czechs, with Dellas a giant at the heart of their defence.
The Czechs came flying out of the traps and almost took a spectacular lead after just two minutes when Jan Koller nodded on a free-kick and Rosicky dipped a thumping volley against the bar with keeper Antonis Nikopolidis a helpless spectator.
But the Greek keeper proved up to the task two minutes later when Marek Jankulovski roared forward and Nikopolidis stood firm at the near post to parry his piledriver for a corner.
Having ridden out the early storm, Greece grew in confidence and after Giorgos Karagounis was upended by Rene Bolf, the Greek playmaker picked himself to take the free-kick but the Czech wall did its job to take the sting out of his strike.
With at least a foot height advantage over his marker Michalis Kapsis, Koller's height was always going to be a threat and Nikopolidis was very cool as the giant striker's apparently harmless looping header bounced on top of the bar.
Takis Fyssas epitomised Greece's growing confidence as he supported the attack to tease in a tempting cross which Angelos Charisteas missed at the near post and Petr Cech palmed away at full stretch as Karagounis sniffed for scraps.
Nikopolidis came to Greece's rescue on 33 minutes, going full length to palm claw away Jankulovski's first time shot after Rosicky's low cross found its way through to him.
The Czechs suffered a blow as half-time approached when starman Pavel Nedved limped off to be replaced by Vladimir Smicer.
Despite the loss of their talisman, the Czechs turned the screw in the second half and Nikopolidis was relieved as he completely misjudged Karel Poborsky's corner and Koller's goal-bound header struck team-mate Milan Baros.
But back came Greece and Zisis Vryzas glanced his header from Angelos Basinas's free-kick straight into Cech's arms.
Jankulovsky wasted a good opportunity presented by Theodoros Zagorakis's foul on Baros, driving his free-kick into the two man wall from five yards in from the goal-line.
With 10 minutes left Koller took a cute return pass from Rosicky only to drag his shot wide from 10 yards out.
Baros then weaved his way inside but choked his shot after opening up the angle on the goal.
Cech came to his side's rescue as the game went into extra-time, sprinting from his goal to block a header from Stelios Giannakopoulos.
Dellas then had a chance to score what would have been the winning silver goal but placed his glancing header from Vassilis Tsiartas' free-kick too close to Cech.
With the seconds ticking down to the end of the first period of extra-time, Dellas lost his marker Bolf at the near post to glance home the winning header from a corner.

Greece: Nikopolidis, Seitaridis, Kapsis, Dellas, Fissas, Zagorakis, Katsouranis, Basinas (Giannakopoulos 71), Charisteas, Vryzas (Tsiartas 90), Karagounis.
Subs Not Used: Chalkias, Katergiannakis, Dabizas, Georgiadis, Goumas, Kafes, Lakis, Nikolaidis, Papadopoulos, Venetidis.
Booked: Seitaridis, Charisteas, Karagounis.

Czech Republic: Cech, Grygera, Ujfalusi, Bolf, Jankulovski, Poborsky, Galasek, Rosicky, Nedved (Smicer 40), Koller, Baros.
Subs Not Used: Blazek, Kinsky, Heinz, Hubschman, Jiranek, Lokvenc, Mares, Plasil, Rozehnal, Tyce, Vachousek.
Booked: Rosicky, Smicer, Baros.

Attendance: 42,449.
Referee: Pierluigi Collina (Italy).

[urban2004]

Final:

Portugal - Greeche : 0 - 1

Congratulations Greeche!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

What a suprise!! :)

P.S: Thanks to the supporter who runs onto the playfield for interrupting the game!!! ;)
hahahaha

[enero]

Awwwwwwww - Thank Good portugal lost .THEY KILLED US ENGLISH

[urban2004]

And they killed us Dutchies!! :(

[Dino310]

P.S: Thanks to the supporter who runs onto the playfield for interrupting the game!!! ;)
hahahaha

hahaaaa, yes, yuo are right, he was a Barcelonna's tifozzi!!! great guy he 'killed' FIGO's attidute!!!

The followin is from the 4games:

GREEK GLORY ENDS PORTUGAL'S DREAM
Sunday 04 July 2004


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Greece won the European Championships thanks to Angelos Charisteas' second-half header, as the outsiders completed their fairytale run with a 1-0 victory over hosts Portugal.

Portugal named the side that started the semi-final against Holland, while Greece drafted in Stylianos Giannakopoulos for the suspended Giorgios Karagounis in midfield.

The opening minutes in the Estadio da Luz saw little in the way of goalmouth incidents, with the hosts making the brighter start against the defensive set-up of the Greeks.
Twelve minutes in Costinha hacked down Giorgios Seitaridis on the Greek right and was booked, but it was Portugal who had the first effort on target shortly afterwards.
Miguel powered forward down the right and forced an excellent full-stretch save from Antonis Nikopolidis going to his right.
After 16 minutes a fluent Greek attack ended with Ricardo rescuing his side by coming out quickly to deny Charisteas a clear chance.
Just past the midway point of the first half a half-cleared corner broke to Maniche 25 yards out and his right-foot shot flashed just wide of the far post.
Deco almost played in Pauleta just past the half-hour mark, before Greece began to find their rhythm.
Three minutes before half-time, Jorge Andrade came to Portugal's rescue as he headed away Zisis Vryzas' cross with two Greeks unmarked behind him, before Paulo Ferreira replaced the injured Miguel.

After the restart, Portugal started the better, but were still unable to prise open the well-organised Greek defence and just before the hour the underdogs broke the deadlock.
Their first corner of the game was swung in from the right by Giannakopoulos and Charisteas arrived to head home from six yards out.
Soon after Ricardo just got to Giannakopoulos' header back across goal from Vryzas' deep cross, with Konstantinos Katsouranis waiting to pounce.
Ronaldo forced a smart save from Nikopolidis with a shot from distance, before Portugal brought on Rui Costa.
Twenty-five minutes from time Ricardo Carvalho made a last-ditch challenge to prevent a second goal from Charisteas, with Portugal caught short at the back.
Portugal then piled on the pressure with a series of corners, before making a final substitution by introducing Nuno Gomes 16 minutes from time.
A minute later Ronaldo was played in by Maniche's long ball, but he was unable to keep his shot down and blasted the chance high into the crowd.
Nikopolidis gathered crosses from Luis Figo and Nuno Valente as Portugal piled on the pressure and then made a solid stop from Carvalho's drive eight minutes from time.
The closing minutes saw some desperate Portuguese attacks flounder on the rock of the Greek defence, as German Otto Rehhagel completed his amazing run with the tournament outsiders, who were deservedly crowned as Kings of Europe.