Fans and bookies celebrate Greek win

Published on Monday 5 July 2004 11:51

GREECE fans were today fighting the effects of a glorious hangover as bookies also celebrated over their shock Euro 2004 victory.

An estimated 250,000 fans took to the streets of Athens following last night’s 1-0 triumph in the final over hosts Portugal, one of the biggest upsets in football history.

"It is true, the dream is real, we are holding the Cup high up, we are in seventh heaven," screamed the commentator for Greek national TV, calling on all Greeks to party until dawn.

The Greek squad, coached by German Otto Rehhagel, started the tournament as 80-1 outsiders and fought their way to the final past holders France and the fancied Czech Republic before beating the hosts 1-0 in the final.

In ritual well-practised during the tournament, millions flooded streets and squares across Greece after the final whistle, draped in the national colours of blue-and-white, whistling, setting off fireworks and chanting the national anthem.

Bookies took a record 300 million during the tournament.