The 2004 UEFA European Championship delivered one of the greatest underdog stories in football history. No one expected Greece to win. But against all odds, they stunned Europe and lifted the trophy.
Held in Portugal, Euro 2004 had everything—shocking upsets, incredible performances, and dramatic moments. From France’s early exit to England’s heartbreak, this tournament kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Let’s relive Euro 2004, a tournament where dreams became reality.
Reece James: Chelsea’s Dynamic Right-Back
A Tournament of Hope and Expectations
Host Nation: Portugal’s Grand Stage
Portugal hosted the tournament for the first time, bringing football to ten beautiful stadiums. Lisbon, Porto, and other cities welcomed passionate fans from all over Europe.
The 16 Contenders
Top teams like France, Italy, Germany, and Spain entered as favorites. Portugal, led by Luís Figo and a young Cristiano Ronaldo, carried the hopes of the home crowd. But the tournament also included underdogs like Greece, Latvia, and Switzerland.
Nobody expected Greece to make an impact. But they had a secret weapon—manager Otto Rehhagel’s defensive tactics and a squad full of hard-working players.
Group Stage: The First Shocks
Group A: Greece Stuns Portugal
The tournament opened with a shocker. Greece defeated Portugal 2-1, stunning the home fans. Giorgos Karagounis and Angelos Basinas scored, while Ronaldo grabbed a late goal for Portugal.
Despite the loss, Portugal recovered. They beat Russia and Spain to qualify. Greece, after drawing with Spain and losing to Russia, advanced on goal difference.
Group B: England’s Heartbreak
England’s first game against France was unforgettable. Frank Lampard’s goal gave England the lead. But in stoppage time, Zinedine Zidane scored twice to steal the win.
Wayne Rooney, just 18, announced himself on the big stage. His goals against Switzerland and Croatia helped England reach the quarterfinals. France topped the group, but their shaky defense raised concerns.
Group C: Italy Goes Home Early
Italy, Sweden, and Denmark fought for two spots. A 2-2 draw between Sweden and Denmark knocked out Italy, despite their 2-1 win over Bulgaria. Sweden and Denmark advanced, with Zlatan Ibrahimović shining for Sweden.
Group D: The Czech Surprise
The Czech Republic, led by Pavel Nedvěd and Milan Baroš, played the most attacking football. They won all three games, including a 3-2 thriller against the Netherlands.
The Netherlands also advanced, eliminating Germany. It was another disappointing tournament for the Germans, who failed to win a single game.
Quarterfinals: The Knockout Drama Begins
Portugal 2-2 England (Portugal won on penalties)
This was one of the best games of the tournament. Michael Owen scored early, but Hélder Postiga’s late goal forced extra time. In extra time, Rui Costa and Frank Lampard scored, taking the game to penalties.
England’s David Beckham and Darius Vassell missed their penalties, and Portugal won the shootout. Cristiano Ronaldo’s emergence continued as he played a key role.
Greece 1-0 France
France, the defending champions, expected an easy win. But Greece had other plans. In the 65th minute, Angelos Charisteas scored a header, shocking the football world.
Despite having Zidane, Henry, and Trezeguet, France couldn’t break Greece’s rock-solid defense. The dream was alive for Greece.
Czech Republic 3-0 Denmark
The Czech Republic continued their brilliant attacking form. Milan Baroš scored twice, taking his tournament tally to five goals. Denmark had no answer.
Netherlands 0-0 Sweden (Netherlands won on penalties)
A tight game saw neither team score in 120 minutes. In the penalty shootout, Arjen Robben scored the winner, sending the Netherlands through.
Legends of the World Cup: The All-Time Top Goalscorers
Semifinals: The Final Four
Portugal 2-1 Netherlands
Portugal played their best game of the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo’s header opened the scoring, and Maniche’s stunning long-range strike doubled the lead.
Although the Netherlands pulled one back, Portugal held on. They reached their first-ever major final, sparking celebrations across the country.
Greece 1-0 Czech Republic
Many thought the Czech Republic would destroy Greece. They had scored ten goals in the tournament. But Greece’s defense stood strong.
With the game in extra time, defender Traianos Dellas scored from a corner, using the silver goal rule to send Greece to the final. The football world couldn’t believe it.
Final: Greece’s Historic Moment
Portugal vs. Greece – The Rematch
The final took place on July 4, 2004, in Lisbon. Portugal were desperate for revenge after losing to Greece in the group stage. The home fans expected Figo, Deco, and Ronaldo to bring the trophy home.
But Greece had other ideas.
Charisteas Makes History
In the 57th minute, Angelos Charisteas rose above Portugal’s defense and headed the ball into the net. 1-0 Greece.
Portugal attacked furiously, but Greece’s defense blocked everything. Time ticked away, and when the final whistle blew, Greece had completed the impossible.
They had beaten Portugal twice, knocked out France, and silenced the doubters. Greece were the champions of Europe.
Key Players of Euro 2004
Greek Heroes
- Angelos Charisteas – The final’s match-winner and Greece’s top scorer.
- Theodoros Zagorakis – The Player of the Tournament and Greece’s midfield general.
- Traianos Dellas – The defensive rock who scored the silver goal in the semifinal.
- Antonios Nikopolidis – The goalkeeper who kept clean sheets in the knockout stage.
Other Standouts
- Milan Baroš (Czech Republic) – Won the Golden Boot with five goals.
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – A young star who showed his talent.
- Wayne Rooney (England) – England’s best player before injury ended his tournament.
The Legacy of Euro 2004
Greece’s Fairytale
Greece’s win proved that hard work, discipline, and teamwork can beat any superstar team. Their triumph remains one of the greatest upsets in football history.
The Rise of Cristiano Ronaldo
Euro 2004 was Cristiano Ronaldo’s breakthrough. He showed glimpses of his future greatness and became a key player for Portugal.
End of an Era for Some Nations
- France’s golden generation faded after their disappointing quarterfinal exit.
- Germany hit rock bottom, but this failure led to a rebuild that helped them win the 2014 World Cup.
- Italy struggled, but they bounced back by winning the 2006 World Cup.
Conclusion: A Tournament Like No Other
Euro 2004 was a competition full of surprises. No one predicted Greece’s triumph, yet they won with a perfect defensive strategy.
Portugal’s heartbreak, England’s bad luck, and the Czech Republic’s attacking brilliance made the tournament unforgettable.
But in the end, Greece shocked the world. They didn’t just win a tournament. They wrote one of football’s greatest stories.
Azulgrana Stadium: The Heart of Guatemalan Soccer
Keep the conversation going! Follow Soccer Wizdom on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Youtube for more soccer insights and updates.