Jul 08, 2004 03:35 AM
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(Updated Jul 08, 2004 03:35 AM)
On opening day if someone had written that the two teams taking the field would be the same teams to close the competition,he would have been branded a lunatic but that is precisely what happend. Are you suprised? Thats the question on everyones lips after an amazing 3 weeks of fascinating football in Potugal.
It had been thought that the stage was set for the Golden Boysof Portugeese football to come good and fullfill the promise that they had shown by winning the 1991 World Youth championships which were also held in Portugal. However when the curtain came down at the magnificent Staduim of light in Lisbon it was Greece who were hailed as the new Champions of Europe, and there players went home as Greek ''Gods''.
Many Football pundits will say Greece did not deserve to be crowned Champions of Europe and many will disagree with there style of football. It has been argued that the game has taken a step back towards the dark ages becuase of the defensive tactics employed by Otto Rehhagal. However the Team has to be commended on there monumental achievement, they defeated the host nation twice in there own ''back yard'' that is no mean feat, if that was not enough they defeated the holders France, knocked out the team that most felt had played the best football in the tournamnet namely the Czechs.
What makes the success even more noteworthy is that prior to this tournament Greece had not won a single match at a major finals. Bearing this in mind Otto Rehhagal and his coaching staff should not be criticised for there appraoch, but should in turn be commended and praised for there excellent organisational and coaching skills which have made players like Dellas and Charisteas, two men who are barely able to get a game for Roma and Werder Bremen champions of Europe.
The Tournament was not a classic but it did prove that football still is an unpredictable game and it is that unpredictabilty which makes for such compelling viewing. it could be said that there was a changing of the old guard that took place.Players came to the tournament with reputations which they did not live upto and new reputations were built.
Players like Rooney, Baros and Ronaldo took the tournament by storm, whereas players such as Beckham, Totti and Raul, went home with major question marks hanging over them. It must be the first time in there careers that people are questioning there footballing ability and they will have to work hard to restore there footballing image.
There were some matches that were thrilling such as the awesome 3-2 come back by the Czech's against Holland when they were trailing 2-0 and the exhilirating 2-1 victory for France scoring 2 golas in injury time to secure victory, when it looked certain they would be defeated in there opening game just as they were by Senegal two years earlier.
There were tears at the end in lisbon, of sorrow and of joy. It was a culmination of 3 glorious weeks, full of high class stadia, hosts who were very friendly and welcoming,weather which was awesome and a country which helped showcase the greatest game in the world.
