News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » Fairy tale continues, says Greece coach

Fairy tale continues, says Greece coach

July 02, 2004 02:52 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Greece's GermanĀ coach Otto Rehhagel hailed the 1-0 silver goal victory over Czech Republic in Thursday's Euro 2004 semi-final as a miracle.

"The fairy tale continues; it's unbelievable what they did," he said. "It's a true miracle. The Czechs were technically better but the passion and the will was on our side.

"We had nothing to lose, we could risk everything. We could play for all or nothing.

"We worked hard for this for three years, step by step. The team has won tremendous confidence. We've made some fortunate decisions and they've worked out."

Greece, 80-1 outsiders to win the title before the tournament, play hosts Portugal in Sunday's final. They had not won a match at a major tournament before coming to Portugal.

"Now we'll have the fairytale final," said Rehhagel.

"We beat the Portugese in the first match and they managed to stay in the tournament and now it's the dream final against us, a chance to get revenge for the first match.

"We're the underdogs, but we have nothing to lose."

Asked if Greece could beat the hosts he said: "In football everything is possible, we don't have anything to lose.

"We're the winners of this tournament."

Greece's goalscorer Traianos Dellas, who netted just before the break in extra time, thanked God for victory.

"Today we did an unrepeatable thing. We deserve to be in the final, we proved we have an organised and good team. At the end God gave us the win."

Midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos said the team was living a dream. "That's the beauty of football," said Giannakopoulos after the Czechs dominated the game.

"It was a very good, a brilliant day for us and a black day for the Czechs. We live in a dream, it's wonderful, and we don't want to wake up."

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024