On this day 21 years ago, on July 4, 2004, the most golden chapter in the history of Greek sports was written. At the packed “Estádio da Luz” in Lisbon, the Greek national football team won the European Championship by defeating host nation Portugal 1–0. An achievement that, even today, seems unbelievable.

Angelos Charisteas‘ goal in the 56th minute, after a corner kick by Angelos Basinas, sealed the dream and became forever etched in the collective memory of the Greek people. With the final whistle from referee Markus Merk, the entire country erupted in celebration, rejoicing in an unforgettable triumph — the greatest upset in the history of global sports.

Greece had entered Euro 2004 as the ultimate underdog. Few believed in their abilities, and even fewer imagined they could go all the way. Yet, Otto Rehhagel’s team defied every prediction. Armed with iron discipline, a clear game plan, expert reading of their opponents, and unbreakable unity among the players, Greece managed to overcome one by one the giants of European football.

Their journey included a win over Portugal in the opening match, a draw with Spain, a loss to Russia at the end of the group stage (which didn’t cost them qualification), a quarter-final victory over France, and a legendary semi-final win over the Czech Republic with Traianos Dellas’ “silver goal” in extra time. The final came against the host team again, in their own stadium, with Greece conquering Europe and the world bowing in admiration.

However, the massive success of 2004 was not capitalized on as it should have been. Instead of taking off, Greek football was confronted with longstanding problems, stagnation, and infighting. Infrastructure did not significantly improve, the national team failed to build on its greatest moment, and the domestic league sank into introversion. At least now, even with a long delay, there are signs of change, and Ivan Jovanović’s new (and youthful) team is once again giving people vision and hope…

The Heroes and What Came After

The protagonists of that team became legends. Charisteas, Zagorakis, Nikopolidis, Karagounis, Dellas, Seitaridis, Kapsis, Basinas, Fyssas, and the rest became symbols of an entire era.

Many of them continued to serve football in various roles, others stepped away from the public eye, and some ventured into political careers. Despite their individual paths, the collective achievement of 2004 remains the ultimate guide and example for every new generation.

Antonis Nikopolidis

The cornerstone of the Greek defense, after retiring from active play, pursued a career in coaching. Initially, from October 2012, he was assistant coach to Leonardo Jardim at Olympiacos, and in January 2013 he took over as head coach. After Michel took over as manager, Nikopolidis remained briefly as assistant before leaving at the end of the season.

In 2015, he became head coach of the national under-21 team, a position he stepped down from in 2019 by personal choice. In 2022, he was appointed head coach of Panachaiki, resigning in June 2023. During the most recent season (2024–25), he managed Panionios, from which he was dismissed in January 2025.

Outside football, Antonis Nikopolidis was elected municipal councilor of Piraeus in the 2014 and 2019 local elections with the “Winning Piraeus” slate led by Giannis Moralis. He has also appeared in several television commercials, even during his active football career. A memorable episode in his story was his hiring in 2008 as a gardener by the Municipality of Kifisia, a job he ultimately declined after public backlash and strong reactions.

Kostas Chalkias

One of the two backup goalkeepers of the national team, he retired from football in 2012. However, after an offer from Kostas Katsouranis—who was then technical director at Panachaiki—he returned to active play. He wore the Achaean club’s jersey from 2016 until 2018, when he retired for good and took on the role of technical director at Panachaiki. He also served as president of the Panhellenic Association of Paid Footballers (PSAP) starting in 2013.

Fanis Katergiannakis

The third goalkeeper in Rehhagel’s squad ended his playing career in 2011. Since then, he has taken on the role of goalkeeping coach for Greece’s youth national teams. From 2019 onward, he moved up to the senior national team, where he has worked alongside John van ‘t Schip, Gustavo Poyet, and currently with Ivan Jovanović. Under Jovanović, he has the opportunity to coach two of Greece’s top young goalkeeper talents, Mandas and Tzolakis.

Giourkas Seitaridis

One of the players named in the Euro 2004 Team of the Tournament, Seitaridis began exploring the restaurant business before ending his football career, opening a restaurant in central Athens. In the 2019 municipal elections, he ran for city council with Kostas Bakoyannis’ “Athens Rising” coalition and was elected, finishing 15th. In the parliamentary elections of May and June 2023, he ran in the Ioannina constituency with New Democracy but did not manage to get elected to parliament.

Takis Fyssas

After retiring from football, the national team’s left-back remained active in the sport. He became director of football for the Greek national team under Fernando Santos, a position he left when Claudio Ranieri took over as manager. His next stop was his beloved Panathinaikos, where he served as technical director from 2015 to 2016, then took over as director of the club’s youth academy. In 2019, he returned to the national team setup as technical director. In March 2025, he returned to Panathinaikos once again, this time as strategic planning advisor and ambassador, while remaining actively involved in youth development. In the 2019 parliamentary elections, he ran in the East Attica constituency with New Democracy but was not elected. He also worked as a sports commentator alongside Theodoros Zagorakis on a sports show on SKAI TV during the 2024–25 season.

Stelios Venetidis

The left-back from Larissa retired from professional football in 2012. After that, he followed Dimitris Eleftheropoulos as an assistant coach at every team the former Olympiacos goalkeeper managed. Venetidis worked at Olympiakos Volos, Panthrakikos, Veria, Asteras Tripolis, Kerkyra, Iraklis, Panachaiki, Kifisia, Panserraikos, and Niki Volou. As of now, he is without a team.

Traianos Dellas

The colossus of Greece’s defense—who scored the historic silver goal in the semifinal against the Czech Republic—immediately took on a major challenge after retiring: leading AEK back to the Greek Super League. He achieved this with ease. However, his time with the club ended abruptly after a heavy 4–0 loss to Olympiacos at Karaiskakis Stadium. Dellas later coached Atromitos, Panetolikos, and OFI. He stepped down from OFI at the start of the 2024–25 season, stating that he wanted to be close to his wife, Gogo Mastrokosta, who is facing serious health issues.

Michalis Kapsis

The quiet force of Rehhagel’s team… Reserved during his playing days, Kapsis didn’t change his character after hanging up his boots. He serves in the fire department, having officially joined back in 2004. Interestingly, colleagues say he regularly showed up for shifts even during his playing career. He retired from football in 2012 and consciously chose to distance himself from the sport. One person who’ll never forget him is Jan Koller, whom Kapsis completely shut down in the 2004 semifinal against the Czech Republic.

Giannis Goumas

The center-back who made his name at Panathinaikos retired from football in 2009 and went into coaching. He started as an assistant at Glyfada and Pefki, then moved to Xanthi. From 2014 to 2020, he coached various Greek youth national teams (U18, U19, U21). In 2022, he coached Ermis Aradippou in Cyprus, followed by a stint at P.A.O. Rouf.

Currently, he is not active in football. He has been heavily involved with the Greek Footballers’ Association, serving on its board for many years.

Nikos Dabizas

Greece’s “Englishman,” Dabizas was appointed technical director at Panathinaikos in the summer of 2013 but left the role in November 2014. In March 2016, he became technical director of Omonia Nicosia but stepped down a year later. He returned to Panathinaikos in May 2018 and stayed until 2019. After several years away from football, he has recently been appointed the new director of football at OFI.

Kostas Katsouranis

The third all-time appearance leader for the Greek national team retired in 2015. Two years later, he became technical director of his hometown club Panachaiki, leading them close to promotion in the 2017–18 season. In 2022, he had a brief stint at Niki Volou as director of football. After leaving Panachaiki, he appeared on the TV show Total Football during the 2019 season alongside Alexis Spyropoulos and Demis Nikolaidis. Since 2022, he has been a regular analyst on the online show by the Betarades channel, offering commentary on Super League 1 matches.

Angelos Basinas

The man with the magical left foot stopped gracing the pitch in 2011. After a break from football, he became director of football for Greece’s youth academies in 2018. In 2025, he took on the role of technical director at Kifisia in what became an impressive “green reunion,” as the technical staff also includes former Panathinaikos legends Sebastián Leto, Kostas Kotsolis, Krzysztof Warzycha, and Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

Theodoros Zagorakis

The captain of the national team and MVP of the tournament decided to end his football career early in order to help his beloved PAOK from an administrative position. Zagorakis became the club’s president in 2007 and, despite PAOK’s serious financial difficulties, managed to revive the team competitively. He stepped down in 2012 when Ivan Savvidis took over ownership.

In 2014, he was elected as a Member of the European Parliament with the New Democracy party and was re-elected in the 2019 European elections, serving a second five-year term. In 2024, he made a “transfer” from New Democracy to PASOK and ran again in the European elections, but was not elected.

He also served as president of the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF), with the approval of Greece’s Big-4 football clubs, from March to September 2021.

Pantelis Kafes

One of the calm and quiet forces of that golden squad. After a distinguished career with PAOK, Olympiacos, and AEK, he retired in 2013 while playing for Veria.

Following his retirement, he became involved in the restaurant business, running establishments in Chalkidiki and Milos. He also co-owns a restaurant in Thessaloniki with fellow former footballer Spyros Vallas.

Vasilis Lakis

The former winger who played for Naoussa, Paniliakos, AEK, and PAOK now runs sports facilities in Marousi. His academy, CAMPEON, has produced several talented players who have gone on to join youth teams of major clubs. He also owns an OPAP betting agency in Liti, Thessaloniki, his hometown.

Stelios Giannakopoulos

The second “Englishman” of the national team, a legend of Olympiacos and Bolton, has lived permanently in the UK with his family since moving there in 2003, although he frequently returns to Greece.

In 2012, he took on his first coaching job with Paniliakos (the club where he rose to fame and played in Greece’s top division), but his time there was short-lived. In 2016, he coached Kifisia for six months, and in 2019 he served as assistant coach to Angelos Anastasiadis with the national team.

He also served as president of the Greek footballers’ association (P.S.A.P.), succeeding Nikopolidis, and in recent years he has been active in the real estate business.

Giorgos Karagounis

The passionate leader of the national team, known as “Typára”, retired from football in 2014 after the Round of 16 match against Costa Rica at the World Cup in Brazil.

Afterward, he was appointed sporting director of the national teams during Claudio Ranieri’s tenure, as he spoke Italian. He held that position until 2015, leaving when Michael Skibbe took over.

Since then, he hasn’t held an official role in football but is active in matches with the Inter and Greece Legends teams. Nearly every summer, rumors emerge linking him with a role at his beloved Panathinaikos.

Giorgos Georgiadis

Often considered PAOK’s go-to man in tough times, he has taken charge of the team as caretaker manager three times.

He has also coached Greece’s U19 and U21 national teams and had spells with Veria and Trikala.

In recent years, he served as head of youth development and scout for PAOK. Since the summer of 2025, he has been the head of AEK FC’s youth academy.

Vasilis Tsiartas

Arguably the best left foot in Greek football history, he retired in 2007 and holds a UEFA Pro coaching license.

He has often been criticized by the left for his outspoken sociopolitical views, having even directed verbal attacks at Giannis Antetokounmpo.

In the 2023 elections, he ran as a candidate with the “National Creation” party led by Thanos Tzimeros and Failos Kranidiotis.

In 2021, he was announced as the coach of AEK B team, but following backlash from some fans, he was removed before officially taking charge.

Zisis Vryzas

From 2015 to 2018, he served as technical director of Greece’s national teams. In the past, he held the same role at PAOK FC and even served as club president during 2009–10 following Zagorakis’ resignation.

He is currently a football agent and often appears as a football analyst on TV, especially for PAOK-related topics.

Demis Nikolaidis

A fan favorite at AEK, Nikolaidis retired in 2004 and immediately became club president at a time of severe financial crisis. He successfully led AEK through Greece’s Article 44 debt restructuring law.

He remained president until 2008, during which he brought Rivaldo to the club and nearly secured a league title.

In recent years, he’s been active as a sports commentator on radio, TV, and online platforms.

Outside football, the 51-year-old has organized music events and owned nightclubs.

Angelos Charisteas

His golden goal at Estádio da Luz sent 11 million Greeks into ecstasy. He retired from football in 2013.

In 2020, he became sporting director of Aris FC but stepped down after five months.

In 2019, he was elected Regional Councilor of Central Macedonia with Apostolos Tzitzikostas’ coalition. He was re-elected and currently serves as Deputy Regional Governor for Volunteering and Youth in the Region of Central Macedonia.

Dimitris Papadopoulos

He went down in history for his heroic headed assist to Zisis Vryzas in the goal against Russia, which sent Greece to the quarter-finals of the tournament. He retired from professional football in 2017 and immediately earned his coaching license.

From 2022 to 2024, he was the technical director of the Cyprus Football Association, and also worked as a coach at AEL Limassol.

In 2024, he became the technical director of all Greek national teams (all age levels). He, along with Vasilis Torosidis and Dimitris Salpingidis, is credited with securing the commitment of Karetsas and Zafeiris to the Greek national team — although both players were also eligible for Belgium and Norway, respectively.

He currently works as a close associate of Ivan Jovanović.

Otto Rehhagel

In 2004, he showed us that Greeks sometimes need a German to achieve the impossible.

He introduced strict discipline and structure to the team — and succeeded!

The architect of the Greek national team’s greatest success, he remained head coach until 2010, guiding the team to qualify for both Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

After that unforgettable summer in 2004, Germany approached him to take over their national team, but he remained loyal to Greece.

Following the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Rehhagel retired from coaching but made a brief return in 2012 (February–June), managing Hertha BSC.

He continues to coach the Euro 2004 Legends team in exhibition matches in Greece and abroad.