THE LAME PORTUGUESE SHOW
EURO 2004 : PORTUGAL VS GREECE, FINAL RESULT : 1-2
12.06.04 Next >>>
What a stunning result we had for the opening match of the Euro 2004 between the Host Portugal and the long-shot Greece. A case of Portugal KELONG (cheated its fans) and the Greece Big Fat Hope being REAL! Portugal lost 1-2 to to the underdog Greece in the opening game.
Before that game, I would have placed my money on Portugal to win Greece by at least 2 goals. Reasons being Portugal is the host of the Championship and have a pretty decent team led by Luis Figo and Rui Costa, and this would represent the last chance for Portugal's Golden Generation to win something in the international scene. But credits to Greece for scoring an early goal after 6 minutes when Portugal's Paulo Ferreira gave away possession cheaply in his own half to Greece's Stelios Giannakopoulos. Giannakopoulos went on to a free run at a static Portuguese defence and scored the opening goal. The goal is a real stunner and knocked the breath out of Portuguese team.
Giannakopoulos scored the 1st goal of Euro 2004
Portugal tried to turn table but were unable to break the stubborn Greek defence. In the 2nd half, Greece had another chance to increase their lead when Greece's Giorgos Seitaridis fell in the penalty area after Christino Ronaldo clipped his ankle. Angelos Basinas scored from the resulting penalty. The unnecessary mistake committed by Portugal's midfield preceding that penalty should give its Manager Scolari something to work on during training sessions. Casual passing by Portugal in the midfield was intercepted by Seitaridis who exchanged a one-two with a teammate before dashing into Portugal's penalty area and was fouled by Ronaldo for the penalty.
Ronaldo created 2nd
Greece goal & scored the only Portuguese goal of the match.
In the 93rd minute, Ronaldo scored with a lopping header from Figo's corner but it was too late for the Portugueses.
Soaring Magpies