Euro 2004 Day Nineteen

Greece, 100 to 1 odds before the tourney began, are now the champions of European football. Truly unbelievable, especially considering they beat the host nation, Portugal, twice! Let's recap the final day of Euro 2004.

Josh Berezin joined Euro 2004 regulars Ryan Wise and myself for the final match, and I had a weird feeling I had jinxed the Portuguese by purchasing some port the night before at Trader Joes. (In the semifinals we drank Grolsch and Pilsner Urquell and both the Netherlands and Czech Republic went out.)

The match started out with promise, as Figo looked determined to captain his side to victory.

However, Greece's consistently strong defense prevented the Portuguese attackers from ever getting good scoring opportunities, frustrating the likes of Figo and co. On the Greek's first corner kick early in the second half they took advantage of some slightly lax defending (and poor goalkeeping) in the box, and Charisteas headed home the improbable goal that gave Greece the 1-0 advantage.

Instead of pulling a Ronaldo and taking off his shirt, Charisteas reveals his undershirt, with a picture of his little boy I think. Isn't that precious?

Portugal had about a half-hour to answer the goal, but never seriously threatened to score. Perhaps sensing the lack of Portuguese passion, a Barcelona fan ran onto the pitch and didn't seem to have a clear idea what he wanted to accomplish, until he made a spectacular dash for the Greek goal, throwing himself forcefully into the net. A bunch of security guys detained him while we wondered if that was the best action we would see.

Well, when the whistle blew Greece coach Otto Rehhagel jumped for joy, while Portuguese coach Scolari couldn't believe it.

Final photos:

1. What ever happened to Pauleta? Scorer of a goal every other match for his nation, he went scoreless at Euro 2004. Maybe training with Figo didn't help his confidence.

2. I guess God wanted it this way. Archbishop Christodoulos blessed the Greek team before the final.

3. Greek fans get show their love for Figo.

4. Hey, aren't you the "totally wireless" lady from the semi-final match?

5. Charisteas praises the supporters and those damn golden boots.

6. Even my girl Nelly Furtado singing to her people couldn't inspire the players enough to score in the final.

7. Intense face paint kid.

8. Yep, you totally lost (AGAIN!) to Greece.

9. The last of the ladies. Oh wait, there you are again!

10. Somehow, I don't think Rui Costa enjoyed the confetti or the fireworks.

11. Scolari is totally reaching for Eusebio's ass!

Okay, no more! Hope you enjoyed reading about the last month of matches, now I'm taking a break from the TV for the rest of July.