Thousands of Greeks travel to Portugal for Euro 2004 final
Sunday July 4 2004 00:00 IST
AP
ATHENS: Thousands of Greeks are set to travel to Lisbon this weekend for the Euro 2004 final between Greece and Portugal.
The Hellenic association of travel and tourism agents reported on Friday that over 30,000 Greek fans have been trying to get a seat on one of the 40 charter flights to Portugal.
The government said it had arranged for more than 2,500 seats on Olympic Airlines charter flights and would provide fans with tickets for the final.
"Greeks prepare for an 'invasion' to Lisbon," said the daily to Vima. "By airplane, bus and cars, 25,000 Greeks in the grand final," the daily Ta Nea wrote.
Even Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis, a self-proclaimed soccer fan, is planning to attend the final at the Stadium of Light.
But not all Greeks travelling to Lisbon will be able to get a ticket for the game.
The Greek Soccer Federation has received a total of 12,330 tickets, a number that may prove too small for the unprecedented demand.
For those staying at home, street parties are being organised regardless of the result of the match. Several districts in Athens and in cities across the country are setting up large TV screens in squares, while street vendors are busy selling Greek flags.
After defeating defending champion France in the quarterfinals, Greece beat hot favourite Czech Republic on Thursday. Now, Otto Rehhagel's team faces Portugal, which the Greeks beat 2-1 in the opening game.
Hundreds of thousands of jubilant Greeks poured into the streets of Athens and other cities after the 1-0 extra time victory over the Czech Republic in celebrations that exceeded those following Greece's victory in the European Basketball Championship in 1987.
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