We have given the Greek people a great pride which they will be able to carry with them for the rest of their lives Captain Theo Zagorakis 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.
KEY MOMENTS
57 mins: Charisteas scores with a header from Greece's first corner kick
75 mins: Ronaldo blazes over from eight yards out
89 mins: Figo fires wide from ten yards
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. We ask forgiveness from all the Portuguese because we weren't able to achieve the goal that we all wanted Luiz Felipe Scolari Portugal coach
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).
OFFICIAL STATS BY UEFA Category Portugal Greece Total shots 17 4 Shots on target 5 1 Possession 58% 42% Corners won 10 1 Fouls committed 18 19 Offsides 4 3 Bookings 2 4 Sent Off 0 0
TRIVIA
It was the first time at the European Championship and World Cup that the two teams who played the opening match of the championship met again in the final. Greece have won their very first major title. The last time a country claimed their maiden title at a major championship was in 1992 when Denmark lifted the European Championship silverware in Sweden. Greece became the first nation to win a major championship led by a foreign manager. This had never happened in 11 previous European Championships or 17 World Cups. At 65 years, 10 months and 25 days Otto Rehhagel also became the oldest coach to win a European Championship title, breaking Dutchman Rinus Michels' record from 1988. Portugal's Luis Figo joined France's Zinedine Zidane, Lilian Thuram and the Czech Republic's Karel Poborsk� as European Championship record holders for match appearances. The final against Greece marked the 14th match in the history of the competition to feature Figo.
Euro 2004: The awards show Alas - the three weeks of football frenzy are at end. Once again we must spend our evenings washing socks, doing the food shopping and cleaning the bathroom, rather than being parked in front of the telly or giant screen shouting like a maniac while sinking beverages on special promotion. Happy days. Still - while the memories are still fresh, let's send Euro 2004 off properly. A heartfelt round of applause, please, for the following winners and losers: BEST DIVE A category rammed with class entries, all of whom are fit to inherit the mantle of the all-time greats. Honourable mentions must go to the entire Greek midfield, not only for their overall falling-down consistency but also the sheer number of rolls each individual dive contained. But, for the amount of daylight between his legs and any defender, Holland's Edgar Davids must get the nod for his spectacular collapse in the Latvian penalty area. WORST KIT Sorry Croatia. It might seem unfair to beat you with the same stick at every international tournament, but red gingham should never be seen outside of a tablecloth. There is a beauty in simplicity, as the Italians have demonstrated. And red and white checks isn't it. BEST LOOKALIKEY Hats off to George Clooney for playing so well in goal for Greece. Sure, he's flapped at a few crosses, but when you're trying to put together the finances for your next blockbuster, the last thing you need is your central defence leaving you to deal with high balls into the box. A few people round here reckon Philip Cocu is a skinny Robbie Williams, while Bastian Schweinsteiger may once have been in boyband Phixx and Arjen Robben is probably Jonny Wilkinson's cousin. But Clooniopolous is the clear winner. DULLEST TEAM Russia. Who can remember anything about their involvement except for the goalkeeper's ponytail, dead eyes and slate-grey face? TRUEST CLICHE Did you know that Spain always fail to deliver at major championships? You did? Right. WORST EXCUSE "Someone should be ashamed, and it's not us," carped Gianluigi Buffon after Italy crashed out in the group stages following the 2-2 draw between Sweden and Denmark. Look, there are more than 20 words in Italian for "fix", and not a single one on Swedish. That's all you need to know. And as for that penalty spot nonsense from the England boys - didn't seem to do Portugal too much harm, did it? BEST NAME The only way Bastian Schweinsteiger could sound any more German would be if you inserted a "von" between his first and second names. Then there's his team-mate. The following conversation was heard at a pre-Tour de France news conference: "Yes, I'll be riding my new space-age bike this year - it has a carbon frame and forks made from torsten-frings." BEST NOT-GOAL Luis Figo's run and shot-onto-post against Holland was pretty special, as was Tomas Rosicky's volley onto the bar after three minutes of the Czech Republic's semi with Greece. Yet the nod must go to Rosicky's fellow midfielder Pavel Nedved for his outrageous run-plus-spank-onto-crossbar against the Dutch in that 3-2 thriller. What a goal that would have been - except it wasn't. WORST PIECE OF TV DIRECTION Ronaldo's taken the corner short, you say? To Maniche? Nah, I wouldn't bother showing that. He's never going to do anything from ther..... oh. MOST OVER-RATED PLAYER A Real easy one. That's Real with the big "R", in case you thought that was a typing error. Anyway. The joke's poor. But then so were Raul, Beckham, Zidane (except the free-kick) and Figo (other than the semi-final). THE SAMPSON MEMORIAL AWARD He has long hair, he's a world-beater. He has it all cut off, and he's rubbish. Fernando Torres, you've been Delilahed.
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. Sven-Goran Eriksson's side struggled to retain possession, while Switzerland looked dangerous probing England's left flank. Even more worringly, a series of set-pieces taken by the left-footed Hakan Yakin gave England's defence all sorts of problems. In that edgy opening phase, England's best attacking chance was Rooney's futile chase for a Frank Lampard pass,
KEY MOMENTS
23mins: Rooney gives England an early lead
60 mins: Haas is sent off
75mins: Rooney's shot ends up in the net via the post and Stiel's head
82 mins: Gerrard wraps up England's victory with a third
which ended up with the Everton youngster picking up a yellow card for his lunge at Swiss goalkeeper Stiel. Completely against the run of the play, England took the lead. Gerrard burst forward and, as he was tackled, he released the ball to David Beckham. The England captain quickly flighted a diagonal pass to Owen, who picked out Rooney with his cross and the youngster wrote himself into the history books with a powerful header. The goal served to sharpen England's passing and movement and just past the half-hour Ashley Cole's low cross from the left just eluded both Owen and Rooney.
Even so, the Swiss - prompted by Hakan Yakin's passing and vision - continued to probe a nervous English defence and just before the break the Stuttgart midfielder went close from another free-kick. The introduction of youngster Daniel Gygax further pepped up Switzerland's attack. However, just before the hour Koebi Kuhn's side suffered a blow when Haas was dismissed after he picked up two yellow cards in the space of 10 minutes. Switzerland's hopes evaporated with Haas' sending off. More good work from Rooney led to the Everton striker rattling the post with a rifled shot - an effort that landed up in the net after richocheting off the unfortunate Stiel. And in the closing stages Gerrard made it three when he forced Neville's cross past Stiel.
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).
TRIVIA
Wayne Rooney has become the youngest ever goal scorer in the history of the competition by netting England's opening goal against Switzerland. With his second goal of the match, Rooney became the third Englishman to have scored a brace in a European Championship match. He joins Teddy Sheringham and Alan Shearer who both scored twice against Holland on 18 June 1996. No English player has netted more than twice in a European Championship match. With the dismissal of Bernt Haas, Switzerland became the seventh nation to have had more than one player sent off in the history of the European Championship finals. On June 13, Euro 2004 team mate Johann Vogel was red carded.
Category England Switzerland Total shots 9 11 Shots on target 7 1 Possession 45% 55% Corners won 0 5 Fouls committed 16 19 Offsides 4 2 Bookings 1 4 Sent Off 0 1
Zinedine Zidane scored a majestic free-kick and a penalty in injury time to secure holders France a stunning victory over England in Group B. Frank Lampard had given England a first-half lead when he rose to head home David Beckham's free-kick.
The brilliant Wayne Rooney won England a second-half penalty, but Beckham saw his spot-kick saved by Fabien Barthez. Zidane equalised with a free-kick and then converted from the spot after David James fouled Thierry Henry. That late double blow left England's players inconsolable at the final whistle, whilst the French stayed on the pitch to celebrate their opening game win. The atmosphere at the Estadio Da Luz was electric as both teams finally started their Euro 2004 campaigns. And while England captain Beckham and France skipper Zidane, team-mates at Real Madrid, exchanged pleasantries in the tunnel before kick-off, there was no room for friendship on the field.
We have to win two games against Switzerland and Croatia and I think we can do that Sven-Goran Eriksson England coach
The pre-match hype - the game being England's biggest since their World Cup quarter-final defeat to Brazil in 2002 - added an extra edge to the encounter where duels between club team-mates were abundant. Henry of Arsenal faced Sol Campbell in an England defence shorn of the services of John Terry, who was replaced by Ledley King. England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson opted to stick with the 4-4-2 formation which had worked so well in the 6-1 Euro 2004 warm-up win over Iceland. England's midfield quartet of Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, Lampard and Beckham settled quickly, allowing them to absorb some early France pressure.
KEY MOMENTS
38 mins: Frank Lampard heads England ahead from David Beckham's free-kick
68 mins The ineffective Michael Owen leaves the field
73 mins: David Beckham sees his penalty saved by Fabien Barthez
90 mins: Zinedine Zidane curls in a superb free-kick
93 mins: Zidane converts a penalty to hand France victory
Zidane, Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires produced the fluid football so typical of the French, to whom the first real goalscoring opportunity fell when David Trezeguet headed over from Vieira's precision cross. For England, Scholes combined well with the outstanding Rooney before the Manchester United midfielder picked out Michael Owen going in on goal. Only the close attention of William Gallas prevented Owen from testing Barthez as France cleared their lines. Gallas also had to be alert to deny Gerrard, who had surged into the area following an England counter-attack. King, who was starting his first match for England, looked impressive and the anonymity of Henry in the first half owed much to the Spurs centre-half's concentration at the back. The England defender made an important clearance to cut out Vieira's flick-on as France sought to test James.
We can thank Fabien for making the difference Zinedine Zidane
Yet in truth, for all France's possession, England goalkeeper James had little to do in the first half. And England's controlled approach - epitomised by the superb holding play of Rooney - paid dividends just before half time. Lizarazu sent Beckham tumbling on the right-hand side of the France area and the England captain picked himself to deliver a teasing cross which Lampard headed past a stationary Barthez. It was the first time the French defence had been breached in 11 games, but that record was of no interest to England's fans, who could not contain their glee. The onus was very much on France to pick up the pace after the break and one lightning quick counter-attack saw Vieira surge forward before finding Henry, whose curled shot was gathered by James. Henry started to become more influential as the game wore on, but it was the raw aggression of Rooney that stood out as he tormented France with his power and pace. If England had anything to prove it was that they could produce a strong second-half display.
Eriksson replaced the ineffective Owen with Darius Vassell in an attempt to freshen things up and, just as signs of weariness were creeping into the play, Rooney stormed forward. The Everton teenager was crudely hacked down by Mikael Silvestre, who was fortunate to receive only a caution, and England were duly awarded a penalty. But Beckham saw his spot-kick brilliantly saved by Barthez to give France a lifeline. And England were made to pay a heavy price for that miss in the dying minutes of the game.
Substitute Emile Heskey needlessly gave away a foul on the edge of the area and the imperious Zidane strode forward to send a curling free-kick past James. And England then lost all sense of discipline when Gerrard attempted a dangerous back-pass to James, with Henry in close pursuit. The France striker pounced on the loose ball and was hauled to the ground by a despairing James. Referee Markus Merk pointed to the spot and Zidane showed no nerves as he converted the penalty with aplomb to hand France victory and control of Group B.
France: Barthez, Gallas, Thuram, Silvestre (Sagnol 79), Lizarazu, Pires (Wiltord 76), Vieira, Makelele, Zidane, Trezeguet, Henry. Subs Not Used: Landreau, Boumsong, Dacourt, Desailly, Govou, Marlet, Pedretti, Rothen, Saha. Booked: Pires, Silvestre.
England: James, Gary Neville, King, Campbell, Ashley Cole, Beckham, Lampard, Gerrard, Scholes (Hargreaves 76), Rooney (Heskey 76), Owen (Vassell 69). Subs Not Used: Robinson, Bridge, Butt, Carragher, Joe Cole, Dyer, Phil Neville, Terry. Booked: Scholes, Lampard, James.
Attendance: 64,000
Referee: Markus Merk (Germany).
OFFICIAL STATS BY UEFA Category France England Total shots 16 11 Shots on target 6 4 Possession 54% 46% Corners won 5 2 Fouls committed 16 17 Offsides 3 1 Bookings 2 3 Sent Off 0 0
Deportivo 4-0 AC Milan
(Deportivo win 5-4 on aggregate)
7 april 2004
Deportivo sent Champions League holders AC Milan crashing out after overturning a three-goal first leg deficit.
Milan saw their lead wiped out by three goals inside the first 43 minutes. Walter Pandiani fired the first after five minutes, before Juan Carlos Valeron headed a second and Albert Luque put Deportivo ahead on aggregate. Substitute Gonzalez Fran added a fourth to finish Milan's challenge as they joined Real Madrid and Arsenal in suffering shock defeats. Deportivo will now face FC Porto in the semi-final, with Chelsea and Monaco completing an unlikely line-up.
The Spaniards needed an early goal to spark hopes of a shock after the first leg - and they were on target after only five minutes. Pandiani took advantage of ponderous defending by veteran Paolo Maldini to turn and fire a left foot shot past Dida from 15 yards. The normally smooth Milan machine was spluttering and Deportivo surged forward with renewed hope. Jorge Andrade's header tested Dida and Valeron forced a fine save out of the Brazilian keeper. But it was only a matter of time before Deportivo added the second and it duly came 10 minutes before the interval. Dida horribly misjudged a cross from Luque and Valeron headed into an empty net.
KEY MOMENTS
5 mins: Walter Pandiani puts Deportivo ahead
35 mins: Juan Carlos Valeron doubles Deportivo's advantage
43 mins: Albert Luque scores to put Deportivo ahead on aggregate
75 mins: Substitue Gonzalez Fran scores Deportivo's fourth
Milan's traditionally reliable defence was being torn apart and Deportivo were in dreamland after 43 minutes when the rampant home side put themselves ahead on aggregate.
Alessandro Nesta's hesitation was severely punished by Luque, who brushed him aside before finishing with a flourish high past Dida. Milan had barely been seen as an attacking force, but Jon-Dahl Tomasson posted a warning for Deportivo after 51 minutes when he broke clear but pulled his finish wide. But Milan were still vulnerable and Victor wasted a glorious opportunity to score Deportivo's fourth, shooting wildly over the top from only eight yards. Deportivo were showing remarkable control and composure, and added a deserved fourth with 15 minutes to go.
Veteran substitute Fran took advantage of a mistake by Gennaro Gattuso to beat Dida with the aid of a deflection. Milan were in a desperate position, but substitute Rui Costa almost rescued them with a 25-yard drive as time ran out, only for Jose Molina to produce a magnificent save.
D Coruna: Molina, Manuel Pablo, Romero, Naybet, Andrade, Mauro Silva, Sergio (Duscher 87), Victor, Luque (Fran 66), Valeron (Djalminha 90), Pandiani. Subs not used: Munua, Tristan, Capdevila, Hector. Booked: Victor, Pandiani.
AC Milan: Dida, Cafu, Pancaro (Rui Costa 77), Nesta, Maldini, Pirlo (Serginho 59), Seedorf, Gattuso, Kaka, Tomasson (Inzaghi 67), Shevchenko. Subs not used: Abbiati, Costacurta, Laursen, Brocchi. Booked: Pirlo.
Attendance: 29,000.
Referee: Urs Meier (Switzerland).
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Newcastle 3-1 Valerenga (Agg 4-2)
MARCH 2004
Substitute Shola Ameobi scored twice as Newcastle survived a scare against Valerenga to book their place in the fourth round of the Uefa Cup. Alan Shearer drilled in a free-kick on 20 minutes after keeper Oyvind Bolthof was harshly adjudged to have handled outside the box. Erik Hagen volleyed in soon after from a corner to level the aggregate score. But Bolthof let in Ameobi's shot two minutes after the break and the striker pounced again late on to seal victory. Bobby Robson's decision to leave Shearer out of the first leg in Norway had provoked an angry reaction from the Newcastle skipper. And Shearer wasted no time reminding his manager what the side had been missing.
He had already been denied from close range when Newcastle were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Valerenga box. Keeper Bolthof was adjudged to have carried the ball out of his area as he cleared, despite TV replays showing otherwise. But Bolthof should have done better with Shearer's low free-kick, which he allowed to squirm through his arms and into the net. Stung by the goal, Valerenga subjected the home side to a spell of intense pressure which yielded an equaliser. Shay Given dived full stretch to keep out a drive from Jorgen Jalland and then tipped a rising shot from Ardian Gashi on to the bar. But Newcastle were punished for more slack defending when centre-back Hagen found himself unmarked at a Kjetil Rekdal corner and volleyed home. There was more anxiety for Newcastle when Given miscontrolled a Michael Bridges backpass, but they almost scored again when Titus Bramble headed Laurent Robert's free-kick just wide.
Newcastle again had Bolthof to thank as Ameobi put them back in front within two minutes of replacing the injured Craig Bellamy at half-time. Ameobi cut in from the left and sent a shot straight at Bolthof which the keeper contrived to deflect into the net. Mindful that conceding another away goal could prove fatal, Newcastle tightened up at the back. Ameobi headed over and Shearer was wide with an acrobatic shot, but Jonathan Woodgate did well to block a Gashi shot. There was a late scare when Morten Berre ghosted into the box and sent a close-range volley over the bar. But Ameobi ran on to a Jermaine Jenas pass in the final minute and fired home to end the Norwegians' challenge.
Newcastle: Given, O'Brien, Woodgate, Bramble, Hughes, Bridges, Jenas, Speed, Robert, Shearer, Bellamy. Subs: Harper, Elliott, Ameobi, Viana, Brittain, Orr, Taylor.
Valerenga: Bolthof, Brocken, Hagen, Kjetil Rekdal, Hovi, Hanssen, Jalland, Gashi, Daniel Fredheim Holm, Berre, Dos Santos. Subs: Hjulstad, Bohinen, Ovrebo, Lund, Normann, Waehler.
Referee: Eric Braamhaar (Holland).
