Greece 1 - Portugal 0

Are Greece one of the best international teams in the world? Probably not.

But, are the unheralded mediterranean side worthy of the title European Champions? Definitely.

Any team that can defend in the European Final like they did for 90 minutes deserve their rewards. Coming into the final as massive favourites, tournament hosts Portugal were felled for the second time in 22 days by a team that earned their every break through toil and discipline. Though the Portuguese attackers threatened for long periods of the final, Angelos Charisteas’ 57th-minute header from a corner proved the matches’ only goal and the perfect addition to Greece’s consumate defensive performance.

In a way, the talented Portuguese are perhaps the perfect foil to the hard-working Greeks. Figo, Ronaldo, Deco and Rui Costa have the touch and vision to shred most club sides across Europe. Yet, despite their several returns from the brink during this tournament, the Portuguese never appeared to grasp that perfect blend of talent and teamwork that wordclass sides like the turn-of the century French team were able to feature. It’s hard to compare the Greeks’ flair with stellar sides like the Czech Republic, but what the eventual champions offered instead was the most organized and efficient approach to every challenge that faced them. All the Greek players worked according to the system prepared by their German coach Otto Rehgal and in keeping with the determined spirit of their squad. All the flashy favourites like England, Italy, France and Spain fell flat on their face in Euro 2004, and their failure was in large part because of their inability to achieve the blend of defensive sophistication and mental preperation that carried the tournament for the Greeks.

Greece have beheaded France, the Czech Republic and now Portugal on their march to the title. No, they were certainly never the slickest side to grace Euro 2004, but they were the most worthy winners of this European Championship.

Congratulations Greece, Champions of Europe!