TNT Sports
Big Phil in bother
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Published 13/06/2004 at 00:09 GMT+1
Portugal's loss to Greece in the first game of Euro 2004 could be written off as one of those historic aberrations that often occur at the start of footballing festivals - Argentina in 1990 and France in 2002 both falling foul of 'inferior' opponents in i
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But while such an explanation may provide a crumb of comfort for grieving Portuguese fans, only the most blindly loyal supporter of Big Phil's boys could not admit that Greece deserved the win.
But what was surprising was how easy a workmanlike side - with no world class star - turned over the hosts.
Touted as one of the tournament favourites - justifiably so, given their squad packed with attacking prowess and boosted by home advantage - Portugal's performance was an overwhelming disappointment.
Wayward passing and a lack of invention - with Rui Costa conspicuous by his minimal influence on the game - characterised what was a woefully inept performance from a side vaunted for its ability on the ball, making the Greeks look far better than they are.
The replacement of Rui Costa by Porto playmaker Deco - strongly criticised by Luis Figo in the run-up to the game for switching from his native Brazil to play for his adopted country - barely livened things up as Greece keeper Antonios Nikopolidis was rarely troubled.
SPAIN CLASH DECISIVE?
Cristiano Ronaldo looked lively when he came on, but all the outrageous step-overs and admittedly fine headed goal masked - a couple of good crosses aside - an ineffective second-half cameo.
The decent balls Ronaldo did knock into the box highlighted the lack of support for Pauleta up front - too often isolated to be a threat - with dangerous balls falling into space only for the Greek defence to clear free of pressure.
This, coupled with the glaring absence of Paolo Ferreira's penetrating runs from right back - which wreaked so much havoc in Porto's run to their victorious Champions League final - meant Otto Rehhagel's men were rarely stretched.
Wednesday's game with the opening day's other defeated nation, Russia, will give a clearer indication whether the hosts will remain invited to their own party.
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