There are not few upsets in Sports that kept us talking about them for some time. One of them that stands out is when in 2004, Greece won the European Championship after beating the hosts and one of the favourites to win it Portugal, both in the opening match and in the final of the Tournament.
To put some context for the difference of Dynamic between the two Teams, before the start of the Euro 2004 tournament, Greece was considered a major underdog and the odds of them winning were quite long. Some bookmakers had Greece’s odds of winning the tournament at 80-1, which means that a successful bet of $1 would have returned $80 in winnings. Other bookmakers had even longer odds, with some offering odds of up to 150-1.
On the other hand, as the host nation and one of the pre-tournament favourites, Portugal’s odds of winning the Euro 2004 were considerably shorter than Greece’s. Before the start of the tournament, bookmakers had Portugal’s odds of winning at around 6-1, making them one of the frontrunners along with teams like France and Italy.
Portugal had a strong squad with talented players like Luis Figo, Deco, and Cristiano Ronaldo, and they were expected to perform well on home soil. Ultimately, Portugal made it to the final of the tournament but were defeated by Greece in a shock upset.
There are so many highlights behind that Underdog Fairy-tale but some really standout.
Firstly, Greece had never won a major international football tournament before, and they were not considered one of the favorites to win the Euro. In fact, they were ranked as the outsiders of the tournament, with odds of winning at 80-1 before the tournament began.
Secondly, Greece’s style of play was very different from that of other successful teams in the tournament. They played a disciplined, defensive style of football, relying on counterattacks and set pieces to score goals. This approach was seen as unconventional, especially in a tournament where attacking play was generally rewarded.
Finally, Greece’s victory was seen as a triumph of teamwork and determination over individual talent. Unlike other successful teams in the tournament, Greece did not have any superstar players who were expected to carry the team on their shoulders. Instead, they relied on a cohesive team effort, with every player contributing to the team’s success.
In their path to Glory had eliminated even more heavy favourites than Portugal. Like France that was considered the main favourite with odds at 4-1. This means that the bookmakers considered this team to be much more likely to win the tournament than Greece. However, as we know now, Greece defied the odds and went on to win the tournament, making it one of the biggest upsets in the history of football, proving the Bookies wrong and leaving thousands of people celebrating for this extreme event.
Still there were a number of Factors that could lead someone to back Greece to pull this upset:
1. Strong Defense: Greece had a solid defense, conceding only four goals throughout the entire tournament. This indicated that they were difficult to break down and could keep clean sheets against strong opposition.
2. Team Cohesion: Greece was known for their unity and strong team spirit. This was evident in their performances throughout the tournament, as they worked tirelessly for each other and fought hard in every game.
3. Tactical Awareness: Greece had a well-organized and disciplined playing style, which was designed to nullify the opposition’s strengths and exploit their weaknesses. This tactical awareness was evident in their games against France, Czech Republic, and Portugal, where they were able to outplay their opponents tactically.
4. Underdog Status: Greece was not considered one of the favorites to win the tournament, which meant that they were not under as much pressure as other teams. This allowed them to play with more freedom and confidence, which proved to be a significant advantage.
Many were not so appealed with the style of Football Greece played but Greece’s victory in Euro 2004, against all odds, was a triumph of teamwork and determination that will forever be remembered in football history.