Greek Davids' Slay the French Goliaths

Greece entered the unknown against the reigning champions on Friday as the tournament's underdogs set about getting another shock result in the second quarter-final in the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon. A dream semi-final spot against either the Czech Republic or Denmark would be the reward should the Greeks overcome the world stars on the other team.

The game got underway with both sides showing a lot of caution. France looked to exploit both flanks early on with Robert Pires and Zinedine Zidane drifting out wide at every opportunity. Their industry carved out a third minute effort for Thierry Henry but his header lacked venom and Nikopolidis watched it sail harmlessly wide.

Greece then had their own heading chance. Charisteas was almost on a speculative cross into the box but the high ball eluded him and the threat passed.

The first yellow card came just seconds later when Karagounis dragged Zidane to the floor by the shirt after the French playmaker had drifted past him on the right flank.

Greece seemed to be settling faster than France and when a mistake by William Gallas sent Nikolaidis free through the midfield, Mikael Silvestre could only foul the midfielder as he headed towards goal.The free-kick however was wasted and floated safely into the hands of Fabien Barthez.

Five minutes later, Greece had another good effort with Barthez was equal to. Nikolaidis whipped in a vicious shot from 25 yards which the French keeper struggled to hold.

Greece thought the lead was theirs

Then real drama struck. Greece sent in another free-kick which evaded the French defense and Katsouranis apparently poked the ball over the line beyond Barthez. Was it a goal? The linesman waved play on as the Greeks protested wildly. Replays showed that Barthez had prevented the whole of the ball crossing the line. Greece had been unlucky but not cheated.

France were being forced into operating in tight areas with the Greek defenders closing in ate evry opportunity, preventing the free-flowing football which the French can produce to such devastating effect. Coach Otto Rehhagel had obviously studied his opponents well as Greece showed discipline and mental strength in the opening 20 minutes.

Sloppy play on both sides

Both sides then had a spell of making simple mistakes and losing possession. One mistake by the Greeks then set Lizarazu free on the left. He raced past his marker and fired a cross into the Greek penalty area. Henry rose well above the center-back but steered his header just wide in the first clear chance for France.

Greece had another good opportunity just before the hal hour mark. A cross from the right found Katsouranis on the edge of the box but his volley skimed off the turf and into the hands of Barthez.

Lull in action looked terminal

The game seemd to die for a while with the crowd growing restless at the stifling tactics of the Greeks and the frustrating patient build-up of the French. The first half ended on a sour note with the crowd booing the teams off.

The second half started in much the same way. It looked to be heading for a 90 minute stalemate until Thierry Henry caused the crowd to wake up with a shot on the turn which was just deflected behind by a defender. The France striker reacted in horror as the linesman indicates for a goal-kick in an indication of how the French team's luck would be for the rest of the night.

More stifling play and a match looking devoid of invention looked set to bore the 45,000 crowd to death until a sensational turn of events brought the stadium, and France to life.

Champions rocked by Charisteas

On 65 minutes, Greece rocked the champions. Bixente Lizarazu wasbeaten on the right by Zagorakis who fired in a high cross and Angelos Charisteas powered his header past Barthez.

France coach Jacques Santini threw on Louis Saha and Sylvain Wiltord to bolster the attack and for a while France looked like they would overwhelm the Greeks and get back into the game but Greece weathered the storm and even created a few more chances of their own.

France drifted further and further out of the tournament as the game wore on to its conclusion until Thierry Henry had the chance to put a safe hand on the Henri Delauney trophy when his clear header was met with power with no defender in sight. But as the ball dropped just past the post, France's grip on the Henri Delauney trophy looked to have slipped right off.

France drop the cup

Les Bleus then dropped the cup completely when Lizarazu blasted over from the edge of the arae with two minutes of added time to play. It was the final chance for the champions and when Anders Frisk blew the final whistle, the seemingly impossible was confirmed to be reality. Greece had beaten France.

France: Barthez, Gallas, Thuram, Silvestre, Lizarazu, Zidane, Dacourt, Makelele, Pires, Henry, Trezeguet.

Greece: Nikopolidis, Seitaridis, Kapsis, Dellas, Fyssas, Karagounis, Katsouranis, Zagorakis, Basinas, Nikolaidis, Charisteas.

Referee: Anders Frisk (Sweden)