Another shock result from Euro 2004. Holders (defending champions) France were outsed by traditional minnows Greece 1-0 in the quarterfinal. Before this year, Greece had never won a game in a major tournament. But in two weeks, they beat the hosts (Portugal) and knocked out the holders.
France were most people's pre-tournament favorites. Some think this was because they were overrated. But none of the other traditional powers looked in form enough to win and France, unimpressive but competent and in the midst of a long unbeaten streak, became favorites almost by default.
It's part of that European elite arrogance that discounted the possibility that an elite team might just possibly lose to a non-elite team. This is why no one considered the possibility of France and Italy losing at World Cup 2002 even though they were playing the African vice-champions and host country respectively.
This is another great result for soccer, that shows no matter how great your pedigree, you still have to win the match on the pitch.
Though my money's still on the impressive Czech Republic, the only team with a 100% record so far, I wouldn't discount the possibility of Greece repeating the feat of Denmark's 1992 team that came out of nowhere to win the European championship.
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