Το
match, όπως το είδε το επίσημο site του Euro2004:
Slick Greece shock holders
by Adam Szreter from Estadio Jose Alvalade
Greece pulled off the biggest shock of UEFA EURO
2004™ here tonight when they beat France for the first time in their history
to reach the semi-finals where they will meet the Czech Republic or Denmark.
Favourites fall
A goal after 65 minutes by Angelos Charisteas sent the defending champions
crashing out of the competition along with fellow former winners Italy,
Germany and Spain. France, with Thierry Henry struggling to reproduce
his best form and Patrick Vieira out injured, were heavily reliant on
the skills of Zinedine Zidane, but for once the great man was unable to
inspire his team-mates sufficiently.
Three new faces
Greece coach Otto Rehhagel made three changes to the side beaten by Russia
in their final group match, striker Themistoklis Nikolaidis making his
first start of the tournament, midfield player Georgios Karagounis returning
from suspension and Panagiotis Fyssas preferred to Stylianos Venetidis
at left-back. For France injuries to Vieira and Willy Sagnol gave Olivier
Dacourt and William Gallas starting places.
Greece chances
Nikolaidis, Greece's leading goalscorer, was involved straight away, chasing
down a flick-on from strike partner Charisteas but Lilian Thuram was across
to cover for France. Fyssas then crossed dangerously for Charisteas but
the SV Werder Bremen man could not quite get his head to the ball.
Yellow cards
Karagounis wasted little time in adding another yellow card to his collection,
this time for holding back Zidane - before the half was out, the compliment
would be returned - but Nikolaidis perked Greece up again with a decent
snap-shot held head-high by Fabien Barthez.
Narrow escape
A minute later Greece believed they had taken the lead when Karagounis'
inswinging free-kick was met at the far post by Konstantinos Katsouranis
but Barthez was adjudged to have intervened before the whole of the ball
had crossed the line.
Greece on top
Aside from a Thierry Henry header that flew just over after good work
from Zidane and Bixente Lizarazu, France were struggling to find a rhythm.
Greece, prompted by captain Theodoros Zagorakis and inspired by Fyssas'
left-wing incursions, were taking full advantage, Katsouranis and Fyssas
both calling Barthez into action, the latter spectacularly so as the French
goalkeeper tipped over a long-range volley.
French urgency
The Greeks departed for the interval with their fans jumping for joy,
knowing they were in with a real chance of springing the biggest surprise
of the championships; France by contrast left to a resounding chorus of
disapproval from their fans. But from the restart there was more urgency
about them, Henry shooting just wide in the opening minutes and Zagorakis
being booked for a rash tackle on Robert Pires.
Crucial
Kapsis
Their best moments thus far came in the 57th minute. The veteran Lizarazu,
winning his 98th cap for France, stormed through the inside-left channel
and was only stopped by a brave challenge from Mihalis Kapsis, who moments
later headed out from under his own crossbar under pressure from David
Trezeguet following an Henry cross.
Unstoppable header
But then France's world fell apart. Zagorakis, haring down Greece's right
flank, cleverly flicked the ball beyond Lizarazu and sent over a measured
cross for Charisteas. His header, from near the penalty spot, was textbook
precision and Barthez had no chance as the ball flashed past him. French
coach Jacques Santini promptly threw forwards Louis Saha and Sylvain Wiltord
into the fray, at the expense of Dacourt and Trezeguet.
French frustration
Saha caused a flutter in Greek hearts as he skipped past Kapsis but his
shot was smothered by Antonios Nikopolidis. Henry, at last inspired, then
embarked on the kind of slaloming run that is his trademark but to no avail
as the final shot was a weak one, and then he headed wide from a better
opening, summing up a frustrating night for the champions. The Greek party,
though, was just beginning.
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