Michel Platini, a winner in 1984 and one of the most skilful Europeans of his generation, had churlishly bemoaned the fact that it was Greece, rather than the Czech Republic, who would contest last night's final against the host nation.
And yet the emergence of Otto Rehhagel's merry band of Premiership rejects, squad players and enthusiastic youngsters has provided Euro 2004 - a tournament clearly lacking star quality and headline news - with its most endearing story.
Greece have proved, albeit in a fashion which has drawn fierce criticism from purists and elitists alike, that football can still throw up the most unexpected surprise.
No greater sage than Sir Bobby Robson always reminds those seeking to simplify the game he loves best that its true beauty lies in its unpredictability. And only those who witnessed the Greeks win six successive matches to top their qualifying group ahead of Spain could have tipped the blue-and-whites to go all the way in Portugal.
Underdogs, underrated and under fire, the pre-tournament outsiders have proved anything but predictable. And yet that was Euro 2004 all over.
Who could have imagined Wayne Rooney would suddenly, spectacularly come of age in an England shirt and all but carry his senior colleagues to the very brink of a semi-final place?
Who would have bet against France - surely one of the best two teams in world football - making yet another showpiece final and retaining the Henry Delaunay Trophy? Who, in their right mind, would have predicted Spain and Italy exiting at the group stage at the expense of Greece and Denmark respectively? And while the overly pessimistic continue to peddle the line that Euro 2004 has suffered as a result of the tournament's leading players failing to recover from a taxing domestic season, is there not a case for welcoming football's new order? It would be difficult to identify a single Greek player who chooses to put club before country - granted, several are not afforded the luxury of choice as perenniel reserves and squad men - and these are professionals who put their heart and soul into international football.
By contrast, many of those household names who appeared jaded during the tournament were tired of playing for their countries long before this summer's trip to Portugal. It would be nothing short of a travesty if Euro 2004 was remembered for the wrong reasons.
Instead, remember this summer for one of football's most compelling stories and the moment the so-called blue chip nations were forced to sit up and take notice.
