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Euro 2004 Championships |
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| The 2004 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly called Euro 2004, was held in Portugal between June 12 and July 4, 2004. This was the first time that the competition was held in Portugal, and UEFA considered the tournament "the best ever". This was mostly due to the high level of football played and the fact that there were so many big surprises. |
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| Germany, Italy and Spain were knocked out during the group stage, title-holders France were sent home by unfancied Greece, and hosts Portugal managed a winning streak towards the final following their opening defeat, beating Spain, England (on penalties) and Hollland along the way. For the first time, the final featured the same teams as the opening match, with the hosts losing both of them, also for the first time. The hosts Portugal were beaten by Greece on both occasions. |
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| During the opening ceremony, the Portuguese portrayed a ship, symbolizing the voyages of the Portuguese explorers, sailing through a sea which gave place to the flags of all competing countries. Such was the enthusiasm that overtook the Greek fans that the ship became the symbol of the Greek victory, as Greeks chanted for the "Pirate Ship", as the Greek National Team was instantly named. |
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| Qualification for the tournament took place from September 2002 to November 2003. Fifty teams were divided into ten groups of five teams and each played the others in their group, on a home-and-away basis. The 1st placed teams automatically qualified, and the ten group runners-up took part in play-offs to select another five teams. Including the host nation, Portugal - who qualified automatically - 16 nations competed in the tournament. |
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| Information supplied by Wikipedia |
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