Greece's night of celebration
Sunday, June 13, 2004
Article summary
It was meant to be Portugal's day of jubilation, but the party was in Greece as their 2-1 victory sparked scenes of unbridled joy in Athens.
Article body
It was meant to be Portugal's day of celebration, as they opened UEFA EURO 2004™ on their home turf. But the party was in Greece as Otto Rehhagel's squad shocked the hosts
2-1 in Porto.
Club loyalties put aside
Omonia Square, in the heart of Athens, is usually the focus for Panathinaikos FC celebrations, but club loyalties were replaced by national pride as for the first time a Greece triumph was hailed. Indeed, Greek fans have never had a finals tournament win to wallow in before Saturday.
Breaking news
Even television stations not covering the game broke into their regular programmes to hail the Group A victory. All talk of today's European elections and the continuing saga of the construction of Olympic venues was put on hold thanks to the little matter of goals from Georgios Karagounis and Angelos Basinas.
'Historic victory'
This was not a night to stay in. Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis was among the first to congratulate the Greek squad, sending them a telegram reading: "With this historic victory, the Greece squad earned the respect of Europe and filled each Greek citizen's heart with emotion. I am one of many Greek men and women to send my congratulations to Otto Rehhagel, to the players and to the other members of the Greek squad. I hope for further achievements to come."
Spain up next
Still, it will be back to the televisions on Wednesday as Greece face Spain in Porto's Estádio do Bessa Século XXI. Any repeat of the Estádio do Dragão victory, and Greece could move into the quarter-finals. Should that happen, the scenes produced could eclipse Saturday's and only a gold for Konstadinos Kederis in the Olympic Games 200 metres final is likely to come close.
