By Myles Palmer
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I’M WORRIED now.
So far I’ve enjoyed Euro 2004, England’s exit did not worry me, the collapse of the big nations was no big deal.
And I was sure Portugal would beat Czech Republic in the final because the home crowd adds 20% to the team and Figo and the boys will have one more rest day.
But Greece AGAIN?
A Brazilian manager who is a master of substitutions against a whacky German who has catapulted the Greeks into a psychological territory they have never occupied before?
Last night Karagounis was playing like Remi Moses, like Nobby Stiles, kicking everybody, so Collina booked him for hacking Smicer’s shin and he is suspended for the final.
They will miss him.
It was Karagounis who fired in the first goal of the tournament when Ferreira passed the ball to him seven minutes into the first game.
And, bizarrely, it is Seitaridis who has been signed by Porto as the right back who replaces Ferreira, who has gone to Chelsea.
Last night, Seitaridis marked Baros out of the game, just as he marked Henry almost out of the game when Greece beat France 1-0 in 90 minutes.
GEORGE GRAHAM must have loved it : a masterclass in nullification and counter-attack.
Once, when I was interviewing George one-on-one in his office, he talked about Herbert Chapman’s theory in the Thirties, that you can attack too much in a game.
King Otto Rehhagel doesn’t attack very much, and Greece don’t support their attacks, but as the game grinds to a close they have a happy knack of putting the ball into very dangerous areas, as they did for that Charisteas header past Barthez.
Long, long ago, on June 12th, Greece fouled well and defended well and attacked purposefully and led Portugal 2-0 into the 93rd minute, when Ronaldo scored with a header from a corner by Figo.
Big Phil dropped four players, and Portugal improved.
It’s a different Portugal now.
BUT IT’S A DIFFERENT GREECE TOO.
That’s why I’m worried.
And I’m worried that I’m worried because football, to me, is fun, an entertainment, the most important unimportant thing in the world.
It’s fascinating that Greece, a team with no stars, are in the final of a tournament where the players have been much bigger than the managers.
That has to tell us something: that it’s a team game where teamwork is all-important.
I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FINAL because I reckon skill and Big Phil will prevail.
Over the last three weeks, the pressure on Figo has diminished and he has played as he can do and should do.
The Greeks will foul Figo, foul Deco, foul Ronaldo, and Portugal will get a lot of free-kicks and score from one of them.
The best goal of the tournament was Rui Costa against England and it might take another slick move and another thunderbolt like that to win it.
So, I’m hopeful.
But, as I say, I’m a bit worried.
July 2nd 2004.