Greece.. GREECE?

3D

Greek Euro Champs? What's up wit' dat?

3D. Wrestling Clique, Monksdiner, JimmyVan and KnowYourNews' Crafty Old Veteran.

Anonymous

I'll tell you what that was. Incredible. I was jumping around my living room screaming. Then i went to party at my friend's Greek resteraunt.

Sure, they were the underdogs, but theyre defense is sooo solid.

The Half Boy

It's Fucking nuts is what it is. The last time they competed in a major international tournament was ten years ago, at USA '94, and they didn't score a single goal. The players are all semi proffesionals, so they booked a fortnight off work, and left the Greece saying they'd go home happy if they scored this time. I think this is bloody fantastical!!!

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Reilly

This is great indeed, think about it 3D.

At first I was disapointed, did I really watch 3 weeks of football to get to the conclusion that GREECE are champions?

Surely, Portugal, Holland, France, Italy, one of the big names, a suitable name beside the cup.

BUT THEN- I realised, this is a very rare and special thing. Greece are arguably the biggest underdogs to ever win the Euro, and we're all here to witness this special moment.

Sure, it coulda been someone predictable like France or Portugal, and we wouldnt remember it that well. But in 20 years time when were watching Euro 2024, do you think we'll remember the time France won 2000 or Greece surprised everyone in '04?

I jest!

Give it time

IRALB

Unbelievable, looks like the neutral zone trap has crossed over to soccer, its too bad that Championships don't go to the most skilled teams anymore.

Erin

Monk's First Lady

How can you say they're not skilled? Clearly they are. Nikopolidis got several shut-outs, against some of the best teams in the world. That takes skill. You also cannot dispute well Dellas and Zagorakis played. I noticed something in Greece since the day they stepped on the field and that was solid defensive work and structure in the front. As displayed in nearly every goal they scored. They play a very different style (4-5-1), and that throws most teams off. That's why I have been cheering for them the entire tournament.

IRALB

It's a solid defensive game of a solid system that can be played by mediocore players, semi-stars of the Greek team. Granted Nikolidas stopped an amazing 20 shots, their defense is great, because it was the only aspect of a winning chance the team had.

Every goal they scored did not take an adament of skill whatsoever, it was a sweet drop on their side. There was no offense, Greece posted a whopping 2 shots in vs. Portugal; two shots, any team can adapt a 100% commitment to one aspect of the game, while crossing their fingers and praying to the Gods, for that one lucky bounce.

olditalian

It was a great game. I was with my Greek friends watching it and they went absolutely nuts when the goal was scored. Since they live in Greek area of the city, the whole area went beserk. The party went on until about 4 am. But Portugal has nothing to be ashamed about. They went the distance and lost by only one goal.

Matt S.

Do you realise they'll probably get humped by anyone and everyone who want to say they beat the European Champions?

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Reilly

Rone, I dont see why it has to be a bad thing that the most skilled team did not win.

There were a few teams early on in the tournament and in group stage that couldnt play well together because the players were on different levels from eachother, on and off the pitch, there would be arguments. Greece were just too tight, I mean, you look at the chances Portugal plucked in that match and most of them were very feeble, they had 2 huge chances and didnt take them (Uhh Ronaldo and I think Rui Costa in the 2nd half). Greece however took 50% of their chances (Hah) and were so tight in defence and midfield that Portugal had no choice but to just let the game drag away.

Usually when a team is all-out defence you can really tell, like when England played Portugal and went into complete defence mode- Portugal were all over them. Greece are just based on Defence and nothing else, yet when you watch a game of theirs it seems more 2 sided. That, all by itself, amazes me.

Give it time