Thursday Sep 29 2005 12:11
Greece midfielder Angelos Basinas has admitted that his side have done better than even they expected by qualifying for the quarter-finals of Euro 2004.
Basinas netted a penalty in the shock 2-1 win over hosts Portugal in the opening game of the tournament and is excited by the challenge of going further.
He told Reuters: "We've done something no one expected us to do. Now we're through and are enjoying being in the position we are.
"We're not looking at what opponent we'll face because every match from now on is very difficult, but we'll be ready for anyone."
Of the 2-1 defeat by Russia that almost cost the Greeks their place in the last eight, Basinas added: "What was important yesterday was that we went through.
"We did not play that well and we lost, but you cannot have everything so we are still alive and in the next round, unbelievable really.
"We will have no big pressure from now on because we have gone beyond what people thought we could do.
"I don't think all of us have realised what we have achieved. It will sink in in a few days. Let's not look too far, at least not beyond this next game."
Greece will meet the runners-up from Group B in Lisbon on Friday evening.
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