Zagorakis grateful for 'gift from God'

"Unbelievable moments" says Theodoros Zagorakis, recalling the final whistle of UEFA EURO 2004™ which confirmed Greece as champions. "When the referee ended the match, it was as if the lights went out. It is a blank spot on my memory. The constant smile of an idiot on my face."

'Blessed'
Zagorakis is speaking to uefa.com nearly four years after captaining Greece to a 1-0 victory against hosts Portugal in the final. The emotions are as strong as ever. Despite starting as rank outsiders, Greece had pulled off the biggest upset since Denmark were crowned champions in 1992. "We were blessed by God to live this unique experience," Zagorakis says. "It was a gift from God.

Greek joy
"It's not only me who says that, but all Greeks, regardless of whether they were in Portugal at the time or not. We knew that back in Greece, even in the most remote village, people were happy and celebrating in the streets. But we didn't realise the extent of the situation [until we returned to Athens]. Everything was happening so fast, you needed time to process it all. Even to this day, we haven't grasped the full meaning of that success. It took two to three years to realise we had achieved something so huge."

No surprise
The reasons behind it, though, were never in doubt."The fact Greece won was a surprise to the footballing world. The fact we reached the final was also a surprise. But only in theory, because it isn't enough to be a star name, you have to constantly prove it on the pitch. We hadn't gone to Portugal to be tourists, we had gone there to do something worthwhile.

'Belief'
"I wouldn't be honest if I told you we went there from the start aiming to qualify for the quarter-finals or the semis or to lift the trophy. I just believed. We all did. Maybe that was the secret, that we were all in this together, that we believed we would do something good. Nothing concrete like reaching the quarters or semis. Just to make our presence felt, to be serious."

Rehhagel praise
The rest of course is history, but with coach Otto Rehhagel still at the helm and much of his UEFA EURO 2004™ winning squad intact, Greece continue to pose a real threat in the present. "Rehhagelhad the biggest share in our success at EURO 2004," Zagorakis says. "A coach is the leader, the one who steers the carriage. That says it all. Everything else is secondary.

'Common goal'
"I'm not a man who likes to sing praises or speak ill of others. Everybody gets judged by results and Mr Rehhagel has undoubtedly proven he is a great coach. The team were homogenous, like a family, we all understood each other and for that I credit our coach. We had a common goal, there were no egos or personal aspirations. Such important characteristics can lead a team to something good."

Retired
Zagorakis, capped 120 times by his country, retired last season and has since taken on the presidency of his final club, PAOK FC. The 36-year-old will have to watch as Greece defend the trophy in Switzerland and Austria, a tougher task potentially than playing. "It won't be easy, but it won't be hard either," he says. "Well, I'm saying that now, months before the tournament. I don't know how I'll feel nearer the time.

'Great future'
"For sure it won't be easy, but since EURO 2004 I have been preparing myself for the fact I wouldn't play at the next one. That's life. In football eventually you have to stop. Greece just being in the finals makes me very happy. I believe we can do very well again. Our national team has a great future. That's very important for all of us."