Fourth of July
“H αρχια Ελλαδα έιχε 12 θεούς, η σύγρονη έχει 11” (Ancient Greece had 12 gods, modern Greece has 11). Didn’t think that a blog that has the title of Fourth of July would start with Greek, did you? That was the motto on the side of the Greek team bus at Euro 2004 in Portugal.
The summer of 2004 was a very special summer and will always hold a special place in my heart. That summer, I started coaching as assistant with an U16 boys’ soccer team with Latham Circle Soccer Club (LCSC) under the guidance of one of my high school coaches, Jim Bogue. That summer also included the Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal, and Greece would feature in their first major tournament since the 1994 World Cup in the United States. You’ll recall the story from my first blog about that experience (https://www.throwingbagels.com/blog/thanks-dad-a-surprise-trip-to-the-world-cup).
The Euro overlapped with my coaching season with LCSC and of course the boys we were coaching were not confident that Greece would be any good at the Euro, and for good reason. Greece’s only appearances in major tournaments were Euro 1980 and the 1994 World Cup. In the 1980 Euro, which featured only 8 countries at the time, Greece finished last in their group, with the likes of West Germany, Czechoslovakia, and the Netherlands. The highlight was holding West Germany, the eventual champions, to a 0-0 draw. The 1994 World Cup was even less impressive, losing by a combined score of 10-0 in their three group matches.
There were parallels between our season with LCSC and the Greek team at the Euro’s. We were underdogs. But confident in how we played. There was a certain style. A certain mentality. The Greeks were 150/1 underdogs in the tournament but had a certain style and certain mentality. The tone was set early for the Greeks with Georgios Kargounis scoring in the opening minutes of the first match of the tournament to stun the Portuguese. A match which saw the Greeks win 2-1. A match which proved to be their first win in a major tournament. A match that would propel them forward in the tournament. Much like my first match as a coach. A win that would give the boys confidence.
Each practice was a lesson in life and relationships. There were struggles and joy. But there was always fun. Especially in the games we played. The Greek team were certainly enjoying themselves at the Euro. A draw vs Spain in the second match gave them one big toe into the quarterfinals. I’ll skip over the part where Greece lost to Russia in the final group match, only to find out that the Greeks still finished second in the group to qualify for the quarterfinals thanks to the Portuguese beating Spain.
Greece ended up beating defending Euro champions France 1-0 on a brilliant play by captain Theo Zagorakis and a finish by the angelic Angelos Charisteas. The Semi-Finals same them play the tournaments best team, Czech Republic. After the Czechs hit the post early in the match, things settled down. Greece ended up winning 1-0 on a header by Trianos Dellas in the last seconds of the first half of extra time; a silver goal that would send Greece to the final!
July 4, 2004. It was the Euro final. Greece against all odds, Greece was in the final and they would play against the hosts, Portugal, again. A rematch of the first match of the tournament, where the pregame ceremonies saw the ship of Vasco da Gama float across the pitch and led to the Greek radio commentators to nickname the Greek team, tou Piratiko, or the Pirate Ship. The Greeks rode the ship to the finals. Much like our LCSC team having the successful summer season we did.
Unfortunately, our season was over by the time the Euro Final came along, and it’s a shame because I would have loved to have shared that joy with that group of boys and coach Bogue. Friend of the show Joe Yerdon was sitting in my living room watching with my family. I’m sure he can recount the insanity that ensued. Early in the second half of the final, the angelic Angelos Basinas was set up for a corner kick on the end of the stadium where all the Greek supporters were. There were over 20,000 Greeks dancing and singing the entire match. No one was going to spoil this party. Basinas’ corner found the head of the angelic Angelos Charisteas. Greece went ahead in the final 1-0. When the goal was scored, I leapt off the couch and ran out the front door and onto the sidewalk screaming, “GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL” as if I scored the goal myself. People probably thought I was a lunatic. My family was overjoyed. Joe was happy for us.
At the final whistle, I was choked up. I couldn’t believe what had happened. And neither could anyone in my family. When Theo Zagorakis lifted the trophy, my father and I were standing in front of the TV with the biggest smiles on our faces.
It was time to celebrate. Greece won the Euro AND it was Fourth of July. I had previously made plans to see a friend of mine in Brooklyn. After the trophy lift, I got in the car and started driving, a Greek flag waving from one side of the car and an American flag on the other side. Greeks everywhere in the streets of Astoria, Queens. Fireworks going off everywhere in the streets of Brooklyn. Scenes like non-other.
While much of this story has amazing and happy memories, I wanted to take a moment to share with you what happened in the fall of 2004, as it ties into my coaching the U16 team. We lost Jim; passed away unexpectedly. His brother, Bill, at the time was the varsity soccer coach at my high school, Shaker High School, in Latham, NY. Days after Jim’s services, the varsity boys played against rival Shenendehowa High School. Several of the boys that Jim and I coached that summer were on that team. Shaker ended up winning that game and making a magical run to the sectional finals. After the Shen game, it was emotional. Several of the boys spotted me. I was there for support and after the game, they all came over and hugged me and the tears flowed. While this is a blog about the Fourth, let’s also remember those who are here only in spirit, celebrating just like us and wanting the same things we do. As the Pearl Jam song, “Light Years,” goes, “Your light made us stars.”
As we come up on the Fourth, I can honestly say that it will always be special for me. Sharing an amazing experience with my father, an immigrant from a little Mediterranean country, that came to America to achieve the American dream and in addition, allow his two boys the endless opportunity of success. Fourth of July is much more than fireworks and barbecue, although both of those things are delightful. It’s about remembering why this country is amazing. Being allowed to celebrate both America’s birthday and an amazing sporting feat of another country – it can’t be done anywhere else. Happy Anniversary Greek National Team. Happy Birthday America. We can co-exist and celebrate together.