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Portuguese accuse Greece of winning ugly
(China Daily)
Updated: 2004-07-06 06:45
Portugal's shell-shocked players could not resist firing some barbs at their Euro 2004 final conquerors Greece, accusing Otto Rehhagel's side of boring their way to the title.
"It is regrettable that a team that does nothing but defend ends up as European champion," striker Pauleta moaned after the 1-0 final defeat.
"If you ask me it is a strange way to play football but we cannot say we didn't know about it. They have played like that for quite a while now, with everyone behind the ball.
"You have to ask yourself if they can take any pleasure from playing like that but it seems they do," added Pauleta, who failed to score throughout the tournament.
Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was also critical, though he was guarded in his language.
"All their games are the same. But they have players with a lot of character and they manage to win. So congratulations," said a visibly shattered Scolari.
FC Porto midfielder Maniche said Portugal had to accept that Greece's system, while not pretty, had been more effective than their own brand of fluid, attacking football.
"The Greeks defend really well and we were not able to get a goal which we had managed in every other match. They won, you have to congratulate them and that's all there is to it."
Goalkeeper Ricardo added that Portugal could hardly complain given that they had been beaten twice by Greece, 2-1 in the opening match and then in Sunday's final.
"Greece were the only team to beat us in the tournament. The final was different to the first match but it was worse for us because we had the feeling that we dominated the match.
"But once they scored it became very difficult. We knew before the game exactly how they played and that we would have to take the chances we got. But unfortunately we were not clinical enough."
Despite the defeat, central defender Jorge Andrade insisted Portugal could build on their performances in the tournament and be proud of their achievement in reaching a major final for the first time.
"We did a great job in this tournament. Today Greece was tactically better - they defended with many players and were lucky with the goal.
"For us it is the first time in the final and we want to repeat the good games and good results we've had and get to another final.
"We can be happy and proud of what we have done in the tournament and the football we played."
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