News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » Biggest win, says Greece coach

Biggest win, says Greece coach

June 13, 2004 01:22 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel has branded their 2-1 win over Portugal in Euro 2004 as their biggest win ever after they stunned the hosts in the opening game of the three-week tournament on Saturday.

Also Read


Greece spoil Portugal's party

Euro 2004 - Complete coverage


"This is the biggest win of any Greek team ever," he said. "The strategies and tactics we chose over the past week have been extremely successful. Tomorrow is a Sunday and I hope that the Greeks will hang their flags outside their houses."

"Tonight we will be a little bit happy but tomorrow we have to focus again because we play again in four days.

Midfielder Giorgos Karagounis, who scored the first goal after just seven minutes, said they came to battle for victory.

"We've achieved something totally unknown to us. We came to fight. The hosts were nervous and we managed to capitalise on that. Today should be about enjoying this moment. But we don't stop here. You don't get through with just three points."

Karagounis hammered home from just outside the area to stun the packed Portuguese crowd at the Dragao stadium in the seventh minute and Angelos Basinas calmly converted a penalty after 51 minutes before Cristiano Ronaldo got a late consolation.

Fellow midfielder Theodoros Zagorakis added: "It's a great honour for my country that everyone now is thinking about it (the win). The work done in the past two years has finally paid off. We had more essence in our game than Portugal.

"We deserved to win. The promises we gave before coming here will be kept and we have other crucial games ahead," he said, referring to their pledge to secure at least one victory, have a good championship and make their fellow Greeks proud.

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