The UEFA European Championship 2004, held in Portugal, remains one of the most memorable tournaments in football history due to its fairytale ending. Against all odds, Greece, a team few expected to even progress past the group stage, lifted the trophy, redefining the meaning of teamwork and resilience in football.

Group Stage Drama: Setting the Scene

The group stage was filled with surprises and drama. Portugal, as hosts, were placed in Group A alongside Greece, Spain, and Russia. The tournament began with a shock as Greece defeated Portugal 2-1 in the opening match, with goals from Georgios Karagounis and Angelos Basinas. Despite this setback, Portugal recovered with a 2-0 victory over Russia and a 1-0 win against Spain, thanks to a decisive strike by Nuno Gomes, finishing top of the group.

Greece, after their stunning opening win, managed a 1-1 draw against Spain and narrowly advanced to the knockout stage on goal difference despite losing 2-1 to Russia in their final group game. This marked the first time Greece had progressed beyond the group stage of a major tournament.

In Group B, France, the defending champions, started strongly with a dramatic 2-1 victory over England, courtesy of two late goals from Zinedine Zidane. However, their performances dipped, and they struggled to find their best form. England, buoyed by the emergence of an 18-year-old Wayne Rooney, secured second place with impressive wins over Switzerland and Croatia.

Group C saw Sweden and Denmark progress after a controversial 2-2 draw in their final group game eliminated Italy. In Group D, Czech Republic emerged as one of the tournament’s standout teams, winning all three matches, including a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over the Netherlands.

Knockout Stage: The Battle Intensifies

The quarter-finals provided high drama. Portugal faced England in a pulsating encounter. The match ended 2-2 after extra time, with Rui Costa and Frank Lampard scoring memorable goals. Portugal triumphed 6-5 in a dramatic penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Ricardo saving Darius Vassell’s penalty and then stepping up to score the winning kick.

Greece continued their remarkable journey by defeating France 1-0, courtesy of a header from Angelos Charisteas. The defending champions were stunned by Greece’s disciplined defending and opportunistic attacking play.

Czech Republic, led by the in-form Milan Baroš, overcame Denmark 3-0 in a dominant display. Meanwhile, the Netherlands edged past Sweden in another penalty shootout after a goalless draw.

Semi-Final Showdowns: Closer to Glory

In the semi-finals, Portugal faced the Netherlands. Inspired by their home crowd, Portugal delivered a commanding performance, winning 2-1. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with a header, and Maniche doubled their lead with a stunning long-range strike. Despite a late own goal, Portugal held on to reach their first-ever major tournament final.

The other semi-final saw Greece take on the Czech Republic, the tournament’s highest-scoring team. Greece frustrated their opponents with a masterclass in defensive organization. The match remained goalless until the dying seconds of the first half of extra time, when Traianos Dellas scored the only "silver goal" in European Championship history, sending Greece to the final.

The Final: A Fairytale Ending

The final, held at Lisbon’s Estádio da Luz, was a rematch of the tournament opener between Portugal and Greece. Portugal, with stars like Figo, Deco, and Ronaldo, were expected to dominate. However, Greece once again executed their game plan to perfection.

In the 57th minute, Angelos Charisteas rose above the Portuguese defense to head home a corner from Karagounis, giving Greece a 1-0 lead. Despite Portugal’s relentless attacks, Greece’s defense, marshaled by captain Theo Zagorakis, held firm. When the final whistle blew, Greece had achieved one of the most extraordinary upsets in football history.

Individual Accolades: Celebrating Excellence

• Milan Baroš of the Czech Republic won the Golden Boot, scoring five goals during the tournament, including two in the quarter-finals against Denmark.
• Theo Zagorakis, Greece’s inspirational captain, was named the Player of the Tournament for his leadership and defensive contributions throughout their incredible run.
• Wayne Rooney emerged as one of the stars of the tournament, with four goals and performances that announced his arrival on the international stage.

A Tournament to Remember

UEFA Euro 2004 will forever be remembered for Greece’s Cinderella story, as their disciplined and unified approach defied the odds to claim the title. For fans and collectors, memorabilia from this tournament, such as signed jerseys from players like Theo Zagorakis, Angelos Charisteas, and Cristiano Ronaldo, serves as a lasting reminder of one of football’s most magical moments.

At Walkouts, explore a curated selection of authentic memorabilia celebrating the unforgettable journey of UEFA Euro 2004.