Which one of the following countries won the Euro Football Tournament, 2004 held in Portugal?

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Q: 81 (IAS/2008)
Which one of the following countries won the Euro Football Tournament, 2004 held in Portugal?

question_subject: 

Current Affairs

question_exam: 

IAS

stats: 

0,15,26,6,10,15,10

keywords: 

{'euro football tournament': [0, 0, 1, 0], 'portugal': [4, 2, 7, 1], 'italy': [14, 5, 13, 11], 'france': [1, 0, 0, 0], 'greece': [2, 2, 7, 8], 'countries': [1, 0, 2, 6]}

The country that won the Euro Football Tournament held in Portugal in 2004 was Greece (Option 3). This victory by the Greek national team was a significant upset and considered one of the biggest surprises in the history of European football.

Greece`s triumph in the 2004 Euro tournament was unexpected for several reasons. Prior to this tournament, Greece had never advanced beyond the group stage of any major international competition. They were ranked as underdogs and were not considered favorites to win the tournament.

Throughout the competition, Greece displayed a disciplined and organized style of play, heavily emphasizing defense. They focused on teamwork, solid tactical planning, and effective counter-attacking strategies. Despite not having a star-studded lineup or household names, the Greek team demonstrated remarkable unity and determination, which proved to be key factors in their success.

In the group stage, Greece finished second in their group behind Portugal. They secured a historic victory against defending champions France, defeating them 1-0. In the knockout stages, Greece faced strong opponents, including the heavily favored teams of Spain and the Czech Republic. They managed to win both matches in the knockout rounds with a 1-0 scoreline, advancing to the final.

In the final held on July 4, 2004, Greece faced the host nation, Portugal, who were considered the favorites to win the tournament. Portugal had a talented squad led by players such as Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Greece`s disciplined defense and resolute performance allowed them to secure another 1-0 victory, with Angelos Basinas converting a penalty kick in the 57th minute. This result shocked the football world, as Greece became the first-ever nation to win the European Championship in their debut appearance.

Greece`s triumph in the 2004 Euro tournament stands as a testament to the unpredictable nature of football and the potential for underdog teams to achieve greatness. It showcased the importance of teamwork, strong tactics, and determination, proving that success in football is not solely dependent on individual talent or reputation.