The Euro 2004 was enriched with 16
participating teams of almost equal competency. The
Euro 2004 Participating Teams qualified for the finals after the culmination of a nail biting qualifying round. The teams were divided in four groups to set stage for the beginning of Group League Phase.
Group A had teams like Greece, former champions Spain and Russia and the host Portugal. Defending champion France along with England, Switzerland and Croatia was drawn in Group B. In Group C, Sweden, Bulgaria, Denmark and Italy fought for the top two spots, while Germany, Latvia, Netherlands and Czech Republic were in Group D.
England with players like David Beckham and Michael Owen were one of the hot favorites of Euro 2004. However, they were knocked out by the host country in the quarter-finals. The talented bunch of players like Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nuno Gomes and Rui Costa had made Portugal, a favorite. Defending champion France was also in the list of probable winners but their unceremonious exit in the hands of minnows like Greece came as the biggest surprise of Euro 2004.
Greece went on to win the coveted trophy by defeating Portugal in the finals. Greek players like Chareasteus and Zagorakis became famous worldwide after the end of Euro 2004.
