EURO 2004 Flashback: Precious Point In Porto
UEFA EURO 2004 - GROUP A (MATCHDAY 2)
| Greece | 1 - 1 | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Charisteas 66' | 16-Jun-04 | Morientes 28' |
15 years on from one of the greatest achievements in Greek sporting history, AGONAsport breaks down each game from Greece’s remarkable EURO 2004 success. In the second installment of this series, we take a closer look at Greece’s second match of the competition against Spain.
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BACKGROUND
The victory over Portugal gave Greece fantastic momentum heading into the second match. Already, the team had achieved one of the goals they had laid out in wanting to win their first match at a major tournament.
The second match would be against Spain, a quality-laden side featuring world-class players such as Raul, Fernando Morientes, Carles Puyol, and Iker Casillas. Greece had inflicted a home defeat on Spain a year earlier in the qualifying process. That result led to Spain dropping to second in qualifying and needing to qualify for the European Championship via the playoffs. Revenge was on the mind of the Spanish press.
Spain had not particularly wowed anyone, but they did manage to defeat Russia 1-0 in their opening game. That meant the match versus Greece could possibly see Inaki Saez’s side advance with a victory.
LINEUPS
GREECE (Rehhagel): Nikopolidis, Seitaridis, Kapsis, Dellas, Fissas (Venetidis 86), Giannakopoulos (Nikolaidis 49), Zagorakis, Karagounis (Tsiartas 52), Katsouranis, Vryzas, Charisteas.
SPAIN (Saez): Casillas, Puyol, Helguera, Marchena, Bravo, Etxeberria (Joaquin 45), Albelda, Baraja, Vicente, Morientes (Valeron 65), Raul (Torres 80).
THE MATCH
Spain had the better of the early exchanges on a hot afternoon at the Estadio do Besa. Greece sat back a bit further against Spain than with Portugal. They kept their opponents at bay for a while, however poor turnovers were helping Spain launch attack after attack.
Just before the half hour, Spain were rewarded for their dominance. Raul pounced on a mistake in the Greek area, dribbled across the box and backheeled for Morientes who fizzed the ball past Antonis Nikopolidis to make it 1-0 to the Spaniards.The closest Greece came to a goal in the first half was Zisis Vryzas’ half-volley that came back off of Carlos Marchena.
The second half saw the Ethniki come out with a bit more incentive as Zagorakis went close with a thunderous effort from outside the box. Rehhagel was forced into a change as Demis Nikolaidis came on for the injured Stelios Giannakopoulos. Vasilis Tsiartas was brought on in favor of Giorgos Karagounis.
Joaquin, a substitute winger for Spain, looked unplayable after coming on and caused Greek left-back Takis Fyssas great problems down that side.
A Tsiartas corner that viciously swerved was a warning to Spain. In the 66th minute, the Greek player showed why. Tsiartas’ magical left foot produced a perfect ball into the path of Angelos Charisteas. His first touch put him through and Greece were level after he shot past Casillas.
At 1-1, Spain were keen to find the winner. They came close as Joaquin set up Raul, while Ivan Helguera and Vicente both had well-hit drives that Nikopolidis held onto. The clock began working for Greece. The team defended well down the stretch in a display full of grit and determination. Ultimately, Charisteas’ goal was enough and the match finished as a 1-1 draw.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Angelos Charisteas
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Of Charisteas’ 25 international goals, many were crucial strikes in big matches. His goal against Spain was no different. The fantastic effort he put in all afternoon leading the line was as much a part of his overall display as was his sublimely taken goal.
UNSUNG HERO - Vasilis Tsiartas
Charisteas received the plaudits and rightfully so for being Greece’s difference-maker thanks to his goal. Tsiartas was the man that gave the Ethniki the extra bit of quality they needed to open up a stingy Spanish backline. The vision it took to spot Charisteas’ run and then play an inch-perfect pass into his path was creative genius. When his side were dying for a moment of inspiration, the playmaker duly responded with an assist for the ages.
PLAY OF THE GAME - Tsiartas To Charisteas
Spain scored a fine goal in the first half with Raul backheeling for the trailing Morientes. However, Greece went one better in the second half. Two moments of superb play brought an equalizer as Tsiartas’ perfectly flighted ball found Charisteas’ run. The striker brought the ball down in exquisite fashion and expertly dispatched it into the net between Casillas’ legs. It was a goal of the highest quality at the moment when Greece needed it most.
THE TURNING POINT - Raul Miss
Minutes into the second half, the impressive Joaquin set up a wonderful chance for Raul. The substitute winger broke through down the right and served a dangerous ball across only for the world-class striker to sky over from close range. It was not a chance that Raul missed often in his career. As such, Greece avoided going down 2-0 and soon after found the goal they needed to tie the match and eventually finish with a point.
LOOKING AHEAD
With four points in the bag, Greece now had their sights set firmly on qualifying for the knockout stage. A victory over already eliminated Russia, losers of their first two games, in the Group A finale would be enough. A draw or even a defeat might get Greece through as well, depending on the result between Portugal and Spain. The mood in the Greek camp was one of confidence as they prepared to face off against Russia on June 20th.
AGONAsport contributor George Tsitsonis is a Greek-American football journalist who is writing a book on Greece winning EURO 2004. It will be the first time this story is told in comprehensive fashion in English. The book will be produced by Fair Play Books and is due out early in 2020.
