Greeks Upset Czechs to Reach Title Match

Greece is within a victory of completing a stunning run through the European Championship.

The surprising Greeks jolted Euro 2004 again Thursday, beating the favored Czech Republic, 1-0, in overtime on a header by Traianos Dellas just seconds away from the end of the period.

The Greeks, winless in other major soccer appearances, will play host Portugal in Lisbon on Sunday for the title, marking the first time in 40 years a Euro final will be staged between two first-time finalists.

“I think something unprecedented happened,” Dellas said. “It is a historic victory which we deserved. At the time of the corner kick, I saw the watch which was showing 14:36 and I said to myself: ‘I wish I could score now.’ ”

Greece also beat defending champion France, 1-0, in the quarterfinals and Portugal, 2-1, in the opener.

The Greeks were winless in the 1994 World Cup and the 1980 Euro championship, but they clearly are making the most of this appearance on soccer’s international stage.

“It is a dream,” Greek player Stylianos Giannakopoulos said. “It is like we are sleeping and we won’t wake up.”

Dellas discounted the win three weeks ago against Portugal.

“A lot has changed in the middle and we will face a completely different Portugal team -- stronger,” he said.

Greece is the first team to beat both the host and the defending champion in a major championship. Now comes Portugal, playing outstanding soccer.

Greece withstood early pressure as the Czech Republic took control from the start. After just more than two minutes against the defense-minded Greeks, Tomas Rosicky’s shot from 20 yards bounced off the crossbar.

Marek Jankulovski kept up the pressure, sending a 15-yard shot in the sixth minute directly at goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis.