The Beautiful Games Part 2 - by wongoz

You'd think that the title of the post would lend itself to only European football (aka soccer), but i see Apollo's taken it all over the map.

well, in the European championships, Greece continues to play the spoiler, as they knocked off the previously-undefeated Czech Republic 1-0 in the last minute of the first overtime period. Prior to this year's tournament, Greece hadn't won a single match in the 2 times they had qualified, let alone make it to the final.

But give them and their German coach, Otto Rehhagel, credit - they're playing amazing football. The Czechs had their chances, to be sure, but it was surely a tough blow when all-world midfielder Pavel Nedved injured his knee barely half an hour into the match.

So the final is a rematch of the first match of this tournament, Portugal vs. Greece - a match that the Greeks won. Wouldn't you think that karma or fate or whatever you believe in means that Greece will win, playing the ultimate underdog story to perfection? Hold that thought. In 1988, the Netherlands lost the first match of the tournament to Russia, and ended up beating Russia in the final. History repeating itself? We'll find out on Sunday.

Personally, i'm hoping Portugal wins, if only for the sake of Luis Figo and the rest of the "Golden Generation". But there are more Greeks here than one would think, and if I thought last night's partying was excessive, wait until Greece wins... It'll be pandemonium in the streets.