BEFORE Euro 2004 started I said watch out for the Greeks. Everyone underestimated them but they had gone something like 16 or 17 matches unbeaten before the tournament. Well it was great seeing them win. It was what I would call a total team victory ? everyone worked hard for each other and they were so well organised and coached. It wasn't a surprise to me that Greece won especially after watching them play and seeing how good they were defensively. You have to defend well if you are going to win a tournament such as this. Greece got back behind the ball and then they went forward in numbers and they could also keep the ball ? unlike some other teams in the tournament. It was a good all-round team performance.

Greece have the German coach Otto Rehhagel and they were typical of a German team. When the other team had the ball they pressurised you. And they didn't just kick the ball out of defence ? they could really play.

Portugal didn't help themselves in the final by playing only one person up front. They were at home in a final with a lot of support and when you are in that situation you cannot just attack with one person up front. That was a bit negative and Portugal play a bit like Brazil and should have been more positive in the final.

Greece didn't give up many goals in the tournament but still went forward and scored goals when necessary. Sometimes they were under a lot of pressure but they soaked it up.

Greece only had one defeat ? against Russia ? and it didn't really count because they were already through. You really have to give the Greeks a lot of credit. The high point was watching a team like Greece going to the final and really dictating play in the Portuguese back yard. It was nice to see such a great team performance. Even a player like Portugal's Ronaldo, who had played well up to that point, was closed down quickly by Greece.

This will not go down as the best European Championships ever but we saw some good games. I also really enjoyed watching the players lining up and singing their national anthem ? especially the Portuguese in the semi-final.

Many people thought that the Czech Republic would win the semi-final against Greece and be up against Portugal in the final. But the Greeks put a lot of pressure on the Czechs and they made sure the they did not dictate play. Again it was good preparation by the Greece team and especially their coach.

However the Czechs were hurt when their captain and playmaker Nedved had to go off injured early on in the game. He really runs the Czech team and was sorely missed. But the Greeks knew they had to stop him playing one way or another.

Everyone who loves good soccer must applaud the Czechs. They played some fantastic stuff ? good attacking soccer. That is what people pay to see ? that is what the fans want and you can only congratulate the Czechs for it.

The defending champions, France, were a complete letdown except for Zidane.

France played like they did in the last World Cup when they went out after the first round. Henry seems to struggle in these international tournaments ? he is not the same player he is for Arsenal.

Two other disappointments were Beckham and Figo ? especially Beckham. He should go to the spectators and give them their money back. I was also disappointed to see Figo walk off down the tunnel when he was substituted against England in the quarter final. No one is bigger than the game.

A lot has been made of the fact that many of the players ? especially the top players ? were tired during the tournament. Well those who play in the Premiership do play more games than anyone else.

But you also have to look at the money these players make. If you are happy taking the money home and spending it then you should be ready to play. Also, as I have said in the past, when you are winning there never is a problem with being tired ? it is only when you are losing. Players have to roll their sleeves up and battle right to the end.

The best player I saw during the championships was England's Wayne Rooney. He really is something special ? and he is still only a teenager. He wasn't afraid of anyone and it was a shame he got injured. I just hope that he keeps his head on his shoulders now. Hopefully he has the right people around him to set him straight. It would be a shame to see all that talent go to waste.

Other players I really liked were the Czech and Greek goals keepers ? Petr Cech and Antonios Nikopolidis.

Henrik Larsson from Sweden had a very good tournament and he should do well with Barcelona who he has just signed with. And Germany's Michael Ballack was good but he can't carry the whole German team on his back ? that was asking too much.

The one thing I hope for now is that the victory will give the Greeks a huge boost head of the Olympics which start next month in Athens. Before Euro 2004 started I said that with Porto winning the Champions League, it would give Portugal a big boost to put on a great tournament. And it did. Now hopefully this historic victory will give the Greeks that big boost before the Olympics.