The first game of Euro 2004 produced an upset that will be felt all across the host nation. Portugal, after welcoming the world, will be looking for the first space shuttle off it after losing to a spirited and underestimated Greek team which didn't even include its leading stars.

Despite lacking the driving attacking force of Vassilios Tsiartas and Themistoklis Nikolaidis in the starting line-up, the Greeks looked from the start of the game not to have read the script. Portugal, in front of a capacity crowd in the Estadio do Drageo in Porto, looked hesitant in the opening exchanges. Greece had a clear cut opportunity to break a nation's heart when a low cross skidded into the Portuguese penalty area, begging for a simple touch to put the Greeks 1-0 up. It didn't come and the Portuguese began to build their game.

The Greeks seemed to be equal to the marauding midfield duo of Figo and Rui Costa and caught the flamboyant hosts on the hop when Karagounis whipped in a surprise shot from the edge of the penalty area on 7 minutes which beat Ricardo in Portugal's goal. The home fans were stunned but the Greek fans and neutrals in the stadium were ecstatic. Euro 2004 had officially begun but not as the home team would have liked.

Greek shock goal fires Portugal

If the organizers wanted a flying start to the tournament, they soon got one. With the Greeks suddenly under pressure from a shocked Portugal, the game opened up into a blistering match of attack and counter-attack as the hosts swarmed forward in search of parity while Greece looked to expose the spaces left by the galloping hosts.

Portugal stepped up the pace but the Greeks looked resolute under awesome pressure until Fernando Couto laid back a sublime ball for Andrade whose curling effort from the edge of the Greek box flew just wide on 16 minutes.

Tempers started to fray in the 21st minute as the temperature reached fever pitch. Portugal's Costinha got the first yellow card of the tournament after a severe challenge prompted referee Collina to take action. The ensuing attack nearly brought about a second Greek goal as the underdogs kept up their pressure.

Real chances rare for hosts

Portugal's first real chance came with 25 minutes on the clock as Rui Costa met a Luis Figo cross from the right flank with venom and sent a scorching header just wide of the Greek goal. Buoyed by the attempt and the growing dominance, Portugal sent wave after wave of attacking play towards Nikopolidis' goal, with former World Player of the Year Figo again at the heart of things.

As the first half wound to a close, the chasing game looked to be tiring the hosts. The Greeks continued to threaten but the enthusiasm to get into scoring positions only brought a yellow card for the goal scorer Karagounis on 39 minutes. At the other end, Portugal seemed to be resorting to long range efforts as the first 45 minutes ticked to conclusion.

Coach Scolari added some flair to the Portugal ranks for the second half, bringing on Deco, the recently crowned Champions League winner and Porto's favorite adopted son, and Manchester United's wunderkind Christiano Ronaldo for Rui Costa and Simao.

Precocious talent breaks hearts

Far from bringing hope to an expectant nation, Ronaldo brought more pain, tripping Seitaridis in the area as the Greeks stormed forward. Referee Collina didn't even think - awarding the penalty to Greece without flinching. Seconds later, the ball was in the back of Portugal's net once again and Basinas was wheeling away in celebration.

Portugal as a team fell silent but the nation raged. The passion from the stands eventually stirred the hosts into action as they threw all the attacking prowess they could muster at the Greeks, eventually boosting the team's striking capabilities by taking defensive-minded Costinha off for the nippy Nuno Gomes.

The Greeks were not fazed and brought on another striker as if to show their intent to kill off the challenge. On came the iconic Themistoklis Nikolaidis to add a sharper edge to the increasing number of counter-attacks coming from the breakdown in Portugal's own offensive play.

Portuguese pressure rises in final minutes

The Portuguese continued to feed the speedy feet of Christiano Ronaldo on the left flank but his crosses met a Greek wall of solid resistance on most occasions. Figo continued to hit long range efforts at Nikopolidis' goal but the only people in danger were those spectators sitting in the top rows behind the Greek keeper.

Deco began to show why most of Europe's top clubs are ready to break the bank for his signature late in the game with some exquisite passes and almost clairvoyent vision to set up attacking moves that, like many during the game, came to nothing.

With the clock ticking towards full time, Greece coach Otto Rehhagel urged his team to keep the ball away from its own goal as Portugal swept on in search of consolation. The defense earned its win bonus and then some, coping with almost constant pressure.

The game was thrown into a new phase when in the 4th minute of added time, Portugal scored the goal they had been threatening. Ronaldo made up for his penalty blunder but in the end it was all in vain.

When the final whistle went, the relief and ecstasy filled the air around the Greeks while despair swallowed Portugal. The hosts had disappointed again and with sterner tests awaiting them in Spain and Russia, the hosts have a mountain to climb.