Was Greece’s Euro 2004 triumph the greatest underdog story in football history?

Against all odds, Greece conquered Europe in 2004, defying expectations with tactical discipline and unbreakable team spirit. But how did a team of unfancied outsiders topple the continent’s giants? In this episode, Graham and Jamie are joined by Greek Football expert Gus Krasonis to revisit one of the most astonishing football stories ever told.

In this episode:

🇬🇷 Otto Rehhagel’s masterplan—how he transformed Greece into defensive titans

⚔️ Tactical breakdown: Set-piece dominance, defensive solidity, and counterattacks

🇵🇹 The opening shock—how Greece stunned hosts Portugal in the first match

⚡ Spain, France, Czech Republic—each step of the impossible journey to the final

🏆 The final vs Portugal: Was it pure luck, or a masterclass in strategy?

🔝 The legacy of Greece 2004—did it change Greek football forever?

Takeaways:

• Greece had never won a match at a major tournament before Euro 2004.

• Otto Rehhagel instilled German-style discipline, focusing on defensive structure.

• They defeated Portugal twice—including in the final—to claim the trophy.

• Angelos Charisteas became a national hero with crucial goals.

• Their win remains one of football’s greatest Cinderella stories.

• Despite the victory, Greece struggled to build long-term footballing success.

Did Greece’s triumph prove that tactics and team spirit could overcome individual brilliance? Listen now and decide!

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