Before Euro 2004, Greece had never won a single match at a major tournament. They had qualified for only two tournaments in their history (Euro 1980, World Cup 1994) — and lost every game. Their odds to win Euro 2004 were 150-1 (bookmakers gave them the same chance as Latvia). They were managed by Otto Rehhagel, a 65-year-old German disciplinarian who barely spoke Greek. Their squad had no superstars (the best-known player was Bolton Wanderers' Stelios Giannakopoulos). Their style was "anti-football": defend deep, man-mark, score from set pieces. It was ugly. It was boring. It was... effective. Greece beat hosts Portugal in the opening match (2-1). Then France (defending champions, with Zidane and Henry) in the quarterfinals (1-0). Then the Czech Republic (the best team of the tournament) in the semifinals (1-0, silver goal). Then Portugal again in the final (1-0, Angelos Charisteas header). Greece — GREECE! — were European champions. It was the greatest upset in football history. The impossible dream... came true.
Summary: Greece Euro 2004. Coach: Otto Rehhagel. Key players: Angelos Charisteas (3 goals), Theodoros Zagorakis (captain, player of tournament), Antonios Nikopolidis (goalkeeper). Knockout stage: beat France 1-0 (quarterfinal), Czech Republic 1-0 (semifinal, silver goal), Portugal 1-0 (final). Conceded only 4 goals in 6 matches. Three 1-0 victories in a row to win the trophy. Odds before tournament: 150-1.
🧓 Otto Rehhagel: The German Who United Greece
Otto Rehhagel (born 1938) was a no-nonsense German coach. He took over Greece in 2001. He imposed German discipline on a team known for chaos. He taught them to defend as a unit. To never give up. To believe. The Greek players called him "Herr Otto." He became a god in Greece. After winning Euro 2004, he was offered Greek citizenship (he accepted). He coached Greece until 2010 (including Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010). His statue stands outside the Panathinaikos stadium in Athens. The man who barely spoke Greek... became more Greek than the Greeks.
"We are the champions of Europe. Greece! Can you believe it?"
Legacy
"Greece's victory was a triumph of team spirit over individual talent. It inspired every underdog in football. Leicester City's Premier League title (2016) is often compared to it. The 2004 Greek team is immortalized in football history. A statue of Angelos Charisteas stands in his hometown. The players are national heroes. Otto Rehhagel's name is synonymous with miracles. 'To do a Greece' became football slang for winning against all odds."