The two first-time finalists epitomise the squad ethic and their collective will and belief has shone through at every stage of the three-week tournament.

Modern football has become an image-conscious sport, where individual talent is glorified and handed fabulous rewards, yet Greece are the perfect example of how a group of unexceptional individuals can be moulded into an all-conquering team.

Coach Otto Rehhagel had already proved himself the master of getting players to punch above their weight, leading unfashionable Werder Bremen to two Bundesliga titles.

When he took over at Bayern Munich he found the egos there unwilling to bend to his will and the marriage proved an unhappy one before he weaved his magic again at Kaiserslautern.

The surprise choice to take over the Greek national team in September 2001, Rehhagel joined a country brought up on under-achievement at club and international level.

"These players are highly skilled but will have to work on discipline and teamwork," Rehhagel said after losing the first two qualifying games for Euro 2004.

The message hit home and they won the next six, including away in Spain, to qualify for Portugal. Their run to the semi-finals has been a classic example of what confidence and togetherness can do.

"The team is everything, the team is above everything," Rehhagel said after the semi-final win over the Czech Republic.

"My boys have understood that you have to follow rules. We are 23 people here and we must follow rules to succeed.

"Before, Greece did what they wanted in the national team, now they do what they can."

That spirit can be seen in obvious ways such as a player running 50 metres to cover a colleague under pressure but it is also the small moments that reveal what is really going on.

A team mate's applause for a misplaced pass because he appreciates the intention can wipe away the disappointment -- just as someone turning away and appealing to the bench in disgust can have the opposite effect.

When asked to explain Greece's quarterfinal victory over holders France, midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos said: "We love each other very much".