Greece shows Zagorakis gratitude
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Article summary
Theodoros Zagorakis said it had been "a privilege" to be part of the national team after playing his 120th and final game for Greece against Spain last night.
Article body
Theodoros Zagorakis said it had been "a privilege" to be part of the national team after playing his final game for Greece against Spain last night.
Fond farewell
With two months to go until his 36th birthday, the holding midfielder was the guest of honour at last night's friendly in Thessaloniki, playing 18 minutes of the match - which ended in a 3-2 defeat for the European champions - before being substituted to a rapturous reception. He will remain in football as head of the administration of FC PAOK but admitted it was sad to hang up his boots after winning 120 caps for his country.
'A void'
"I feel a void," he said. "However, that's life. Some chapters have to close and others open instead. I thank God for keeping me healthy all these years and I thank the fans that applauded my matches and came here to bid me farewell. Now I am starting a new career at a club who have the chance to do well in the future. As for the national team, it has been a privilege for me to be part of it and I am sure that Greece will remain at the top in the coming years."
Finest hour
Zagorakis' finest hour with Greece came when he led Greece to victory at the finals of UEFA EURO 2004™ and was named as the most valuable player of the tournament. He made his debut for Greece in a 5-1 win against the Faroe Islands in September 1994 - with Greece still smarting from a miserable performance in their first ever FIFA World Cup finals campaign in the United States - and went on to become a talismanic leader for his country.
