Seventeen years have passed, yet for Nikos Dabizas, the memories of that final whistle blown by Markus Merk at the Estádio da Luz remain hazy. It’s as if the sheer magnitude of the moment, when Greece secured the Euro 2004 title, caused a mental blank. “The hard disc crashed,” he recalls, struggling to grasp the enormity of what his team had just achieved. “Those two hours after the final are blank… you just lived the moment and the river of emotions. It sounds strange, but it was so big we couldn’t handle it.” This sentiment encapsulates the unbelievable triumph of Greece at Euro 2004, a victory that continues to defy expectations and captivate football fans worldwide, especially as recounted in articles from sources like The Guardian, solidifying its place in sporting history.
No nation has replicated Greece’s improbable journey to European glory since. Entering Euro 2004 with minimal international acclaim, Otto Rehhagel’s squad bulldozed their way through established footballing giants. While some might dismiss it as an anomaly, their campaign was anything but a fluke. Defeating host nation Portugal, brimming with confidence, not once but twice in the tournament, alongside victories against reigning champions France and a formidable Czech Republic, unequivocally cemented Greece’s status as the best team in Europe that summer. The story of Greece’s Euro 2004 victory, often highlighted by publications like The Guardian, remains a testament to tactical brilliance and unwavering team spirit.
Image alt text: Otto Rehhagel celebrates Greece’s Euro 2004 victory, a historic underdog triumph against football powerhouses like France and Portugal.
Rehhagel’s Masterclass: Belief and Tactical Rigor
“If someone said we wouldn’t do very well at the Euros, Mr Rehhagel always turned to me and said: ‘They don’t know what we know’,” Ioannis Topalidis reveals, highlighting the unshakeable self-belief instilled by the German coach. Rehhagel, a three-time Bundesliga champion, took on the Greek national team job in 2001, seemingly inheriting a poisoned chalice. His rigorous approach and immunity to the political turmoil plaguing Greek football were pivotal. However, the Euro 2004 success was not solely down to Rehhagel’s iron fist; it was a blend of cultural understanding and effective communication, expertly facilitated by Topalidis.
Topalidis, a German-born coach with Greek heritage, became Rehhagel’s crucial bridge between cultures. His role extended beyond tactical advice; he ensured the players and the manager understood each other, navigating the nuances of Greek and German mentalities. “The countries’ cultures are quite different but this was about football: Mr Rehhagel was a great man and dealt with it,” Topalidis explains. His ability to soften Rehhagel’s sometimes blunt criticism was vital in maintaining team harmony. “When it came to tactics I always explained what the coach wanted. But sometimes, when he criticised the players, maybe I made it a little bit less harsh.”
This partnership was evident even early on, at the game against England at Old Trafford in 2001, where David Beckham’s late free-kick salvaged a draw. Dabizas recalls how quickly the players embraced Rehhagel’s methods, eccentricities and all. “We had a guy face to face with us and working his own way,” Dabizas says. “And if he was taking decisions that were a mistake, or a bit strange at the time, we knew it was his decision alone and we trusted him.” This unwavering trust in Rehhagel’s vision was a cornerstone of Greece’s Euro 2004 campaign.
From Zero to Hero: Overcoming Past Failures and Low Expectations
Despite Rehhagel leading Greece to Euro 2004 qualification after a shaky start, memories of past failures lingered. Greece’s previous major tournament appearance at USA 94 was disastrous – three defeats, zero goals scored, and ten conceded. “People expected something similar to happen in Portugal,” Topalidis admits. This historical context, often explored in articles about Greece Euro 2004 in The Guardian, underscores the magnitude of their subsequent triumph.
For Dabizas, this reflected a broader issue within Greek football. “The national team had never been at the top of the Greek football pyramid,” he explains. “It was not the players’ priority in life to play for their country and the media didn’t pay a lot of attention.” Playing in England, Dabizas witnessed a different level of national team importance, amplifying the disappointment of Greece’s past performances.
Image alt text: Giourkas Seitaridis battles Cristiano Ronaldo during the Euro 2004 final, a symbolic clash between Greek resilience and Portuguese flair.
Their initial goal for Euro 2004 was modest: “to be competitive, represent the country with pride, and improve on that dreadful record in America.” Qualifying from a group featuring Portugal and Spain seemed unrealistic. Yet, they stunned Portugal in the opening match with a display of tactical intelligence and courage. A draw against Spain followed, but a defeat to Russia left their progression hanging by a thread.
“Russia was the most difficult game,” Dabizas reflects, emphasizing the immense pressure. Ironically, Dabizas himself didn’t play in the tournament due to injury, a twist of fate he views with surprising equanimity. “I was unlucky in a sense but perhaps lucky in another way, who knows? If I was involved, maybe I would have been a disaster and maybe Greece wouldn’t have won the Euros.” This selfless team spirit, fostered by Rehhagel, proved crucial to their success.
The Unfolding Miracle: Knocking Out Giants
The quarter-final against France, the reigning European champions, was another hurdle few expected Greece to overcome. Remarkably, squad members had even made holiday and wedding plans, anticipating an early exit. “Of course it’s true,” Dabizas confirms. “People had holidays and we didn’t think we’d be staying there. It was farcical in a way.”
But Angelos Charisteas’s goal against France silenced Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry, sending shockwaves through the tournament. “Every step of the way it was: ‘This is amazing, but it’s as far as we will get,’” notes Christopher Andre Marks, director of the documentary “King Otto.” “But the miracle kept perpetuating; the dream kept extending.”
Image alt text: Angelos Charisteas’s header against France, a pivotal moment in Greece’s Euro 2004 fairytale run, eliminating the defending champions.
Topalidis pinpoints the France victory as the turning point. “That was the moment I started to believe and think: ‘We can actually win this’.” Next, Traianos Dellas’s silver goal against the Czech Republic in the semi-final paved the way to the final rematch against Portugal. Charisteas, the tournament’s unlikely hero, once again rose to the occasion, scoring the winning goal and triggering scenes of jubilation that Dabizas still struggles to fully comprehend.
“Once we reached the final we wanted to finish the miracle,” Dabizas states. “It wasn’t just about participating by that point. In the end we beat them twice and it was a clear indication we were a better team: not the most talented team, but the most effective team.”
Legacy of a Miracle: More Than Just Football
Greece’s pragmatic, defensive style drew criticism, with some media outlets, as The Guardian noted, labeling them “the only underdogs in history everyone wants to see gets beaten.” Dabizas acknowledges this criticism without resentment. “I don’t find it annoying because it’s the truth,” he says. “But it doesn’t take anything away from us. Of course we weren’t Brazilians, Spaniards or Germans: we had to be realistic, relying on defence, taking advantage of set pieces and being very effective on the counter.”
While Greece hasn’t replicated this success since, the Euro 2004 victory remains a powerful symbol for the nation, offering solace during times of economic hardship. “It was something that transcended sport,” Marks emphasizes. “Greeks felt relevant on the world stage for the first time in the modern era. It was a unifying moment and, given the last decade and a half have been so difficult, it bred the kind of joy and nostalgia that carries you through the tough times.”
“What we achieved is something that happens only once,” Topalidis concludes. Dabizas echoes this sentiment: “Believe me, this will not happen again. I say that with my whole heart. It was one of the biggest miracles, if not the biggest miracle, in European international football.” The story of Greece Euro 2004, forever etched in football history and frequently revisited by publications like The Guardian, continues to inspire and amaze.
(King Otto will be available on DVD and digital from 5 July courtesy of 101 Films)
