Greece pulled off one of the biggest ever shocks in international football as they beat hosts Portugal 1-0 to lift the Euro 2004 championship. Captain Theo Zagorakis echoed the sentiments of an entire nation when he described the triumph as one of the "greatest gifts that God ever gave us". The former Leicester City midfielder belives it was heart and soul that saw his side win a tournament that they started as 80-1 outsiders. Having defended for all their worth against a Portugal side devoid of inspiration, Greece completed one of the competition's greatest ever shocks as Angelos Charisteas headed the winner from their only corner. The striker, who is not even a regular at Werder Bremen, was just another example of a supposed journeyman professional turned into a match-winner by German coach Otto Rehhagel. Zagorakis, meanwhile, who made just 45 starts in two-and-a-half years with Leicester, was released on a free transfer to AEK Athens in June 2000. Zagorakis, voted man of the match - just as he was in Greece's opening game victory against the home nation - declared: "The only thing that I wanted to do was to lift the cup. We have just proved once again that the Greek soul is, and always will be, our strength." Greece had not previously won a game at a major tournament before their 2-1 win against Portugal in the opening match set them on an amazing path to success, via further victories against France and the Czech Republic. Zagorakis added: "Just getting to the finals was already a great achievement. What we have done here in Portugal was even greater. We dedicate this cup to Greek people all over the world. "I think we have given then something more than joy. We have given them a great pride, which they will be able to carry with them for the rest of their lives." Former Newcastle defender Nikos Dabizas, who didn't feature in the final, said: "We may not be the most spectacular team but we have certainly been the most effective side in this tournament." The Leicester stopper added: "Our hard work has paid off. We deserved this title because we have been the most consistent team throughout this tournament." Greece coach Rehhagel side-stepped questions as to whether he would now be lured into becoming the new Germany boss ahead of the 2006 World Cup in his homeland. He said: "Now is the time for the team. We are going to celebrate this victory and there is no place for any other words." Portugal manager Luis Felipe Scolari, who led Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002, was generous in defeat. He said: "I'm not happy with the result but Greece have a wonderful defence and they generally look to capitalise on their opponents' mistakes. "I want to say to the Portuguese people that this is not the end of the story for us - we are going to keep working and we are going to win something in the future." But the futures of big name stars like Luis Figo remain unclear. | 
