Traianos Dellas (left) and Konstantinos Katsouranis celebrate the Greece goal (©AFP)

Dellas delight stuns Czechs

by Mark Chaplin from Estádio do Dragăo

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Greece will play Portugal in the final of UEFA EURO 2004™ after Traianos Dellas' header in added time at the end of the first half of silver goal extra time knocked out the Czech Republic.

Dellas decisive
The goal that settled a dramatic and entertaining second semi-final in Porto eventually arrived in the 106th minute as Vassilios Tsiartas swung over a corner, and Dellas nipped in to steer in a header at the near post and send the Greeks and their fans into ecstasy, and a totally unexpected final appearance.

One change each
The Czech Republic made one change from the side that defeated Denmark in the quarter-finals, Zdenek Grygera coming in at right-back to replace Martin Jiránek, who was ruled out by a hamstring injury. Following the Greeks' shock win against holders France, coach Otto Rehhagel brought back Zisis Vryzas up front after suspension in place of Themistoklis Nikolaidis.

Rosický denied
Backed by a noisy contingent of fans, Greece were fortunate not to fall behind after only two minutes as Tomáš Rosický volleyed against the crossbar from 20 metres with Greek goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis motionless. The vibrant Czechs maintained their early pressure, Nikopolidis beating away Marek Jankulovski's fierce drive for a corner moments later.

Cech called upon
Greece finally broke out, with Georgios Karagounis able to test Czech keeper Petr Cech with a long-range free-kick, and the underdogs slowly settled down after a nervous opening to the match. Giourkas Seitaridis was booked after 22 minutes for hauling down Milan Baroš as Greece tried to counter the Czechs' superior technique with industry and commitment, and chances were few and far between as the half-hour approached of a tight contest.

Greek opportunities
However, the next opportunity fell to Greece after 29 minutes as Vryzas burst powerfully down the left and Cech was forced to dive to palm his low cross away to safety. The livewire Karagounis then fired wide from 25 metres as Rehhagel's men enjoyed a promising spell of pressure.

Nikopolidis needed
Back came the Czechs and Nikopolidis had to dive at Pavel Nedved's feet to halt a mazy run. Two minutes later, Nikopolidis made a brilliant save to deny Jankulovski as the Greeks came under renewed threat. Nedved suffered a leg injury in the move, and the knock ultimately proved too serious for the Czech captain to continue. Vladimír Šmicer arrived in Nedved's place shortly before half-time, and the match remained goalless at the break.

Yellow cards
The substitute assumed a role on the left of midfield with Rosický taking over the playmaker's role for the Czechs, who had Tomáš Galásek booked after 48 minutes for a challenge on Angelos Charisteas in a tense, foul-ridden opening to the second half. Šmicer was then shown the yellow card six minutes later when he brought down Seitardis.

Czech chances
The first real action ended with Karel Poborský curling an effort wide from one free-kick, and Jan Koller's header from a Poborský corner hit Baroš and went wide as the Czechs put together a period of pressure which also saw Rosický miss the target from 20 metres.

Mounting tension
The stalemate persisted past the hour, and it looked increasingly like a single goal would settle the game. Vryzas almost did the trick when Greece attacked, but his header was straight at Cech from a Karagounis free-kick. At the other end, Poborský's audacious lob sailed just over the top as the pace picked up. Greek striker Charisteas was the next into the book on 70 minutes for tripping Tomáš Ujfaluši.

Near misses
Koller then shot wide when unmarked in front of goal before Baroš wriggled through the Greek defence only to curl his effort wide of the far post as the Czechs pressed for a late winner. But Greece, who saw Karagounis pick up an 87th-minute booking that would rule him out of the final, held on to force extra time.

Greece on top
Greece almost stole a 94th-minute lead when Cech blocked substitute Stylianos Giannakopoulos' header. Baroš was then booked for fouling Panagiotis Fyssas, and Cech parried a Dellas header from point-blank range as the Greeks looked the fresher side, pushing forward constantly, and they were rewarded in dramatic fashion.