For the first time in the country’s history, Greece won the Euro Cup — European soccer’s biggest prize — on this day in 2004.

Facing severe odds, Greece defeated a star-studded Portugal 1-0 in the 2004 UEFA European Championship.

Immediately after, the underdog victory set off a series of massive celebrations in and around the Portuguese capital city of Lisbon.

Thousands of Greeks fans, many of whom had arrived only days before after Greece defeated the Czech Republic to advance to the final, rejoiced in the streets (see video below).

Author George Tsitsonis covers the Greek national team’s magical run in his book “Achieving the Impossible.” This is the first book written about the event in the English language and it is now available for purchase online.

Throughout the 2004 Euro Cup, Greece defeated Portugal twice, including 2-1 in the opening game of Group A.

The Greeks also eliminated defending champion France, as well as the Czech Republic — which had been widely considered the best team in the contest — in the semi-final.

Greece’s victory came only a month prior to the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

Greek, Portuguese Fans React to 2004 Euro Cup Final