ATHENS, 6 July 2004 — Greeks woke up hoarse and bleary-eyed yesterday after all-night parties celebrating their Euro 2004 victory, the whole country high on a feel-good factor that lifted the nation’s damp spirits ahead of the Olympics.
The Greek squad, coached by German Otto Rehhagel, started the tournament as rank outsiders and fought their way to the final, beating hosts Portugal 1-0 in Lisbon’s Luz Stadium.
The 57th-minute goal by Angelos Charisteas was a header, but for Greeks it was also a kick up the backside, a hint to unite and prepare for the next big national moment, the Athens Olympics.
The squad’s success will be a much-needed shot in the arm for Greek pride in hosting the Aug. 13-29 Games, an event dogged by negative publicity over construction delays, security worries, budget overruns and profiteering.
“These boys taught us a lesson as to what Greeks can do when we really believe in something, when we are united and have self-confidence, dynamism and method in achieving it,” said Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.
“This is the best passport, the best invitation for the Olympics, because this great Greek summer continues in one-and-a half months with the Games.” Watching the squad gallop through the tournament instilled a sense of pride that will likely inspire Greeks in the run-up for the Games and beyond, said psychologist Yannis Kouros.
“There is great identification with the players, they are seen as men of the people, boys next door… people who maybe didn’t manage to make a total success of their life now look at this team and feel like winners themselves,” Kouros added.
Radio stations played traditional syrtaki music yesterday morning and even political newspapers wore the national colors of blue-and-white around full-page pictures of the squad. Ethnos led with “We won, break down the gates, our boys return as champions,” in reference to the ancient Greek custom of tearing down a section of the city walls to welcome returning Olympic winners.
“The combination of the squad’s great run and the torch relay of the Olympic flame around the world at this time is particularly fortunate,” Athens 2004 Organizing Committee spokesman Serafim Kotrotsos told Flash radio.
Athens prepared to give a massive welcome to the squad with thousands expected to swell the homecoming party at the old Olympic stadium, the site of the Games’ modern revival in 1896.
The arrival of the first supporters back from Portugal hinted that celebrations would not lack the enthusiasm of the night before when almost 90 percent of Greeks watched the game and then poured into the streets cheering.
Millions of Greeks around the world celebrated after the final whistle on Sunday night, flooding streets and squares, draped in the national colors, whistling, setting off fireworks and chanting the national anthem.
In Athens alone, an estimated 250,000 people made their way downtown on foot or in impromptu motorcades of cars and mopeds, beeping horns, waving flags, many wearing T-shirts proclaiming “2004 — the year of Greece.”
