Otto Rehhagel's men had just made history and it was only the first game of the tournament.
They also had the huge boost that a home crowd afforded them.
Greece had achieved their goal but what now? That was the last of the goals and the game finished 2-1.
What's more, the United States was about to go to war in Afghanistan as a response to the September 11 attacks.
A team of supposed plodders were crowned European Champions, and simultaneously gave hope to the underdogs of continental football, while crushing the ideals of many a football fan.
When defending, for the most part, this team was built around strict and rigid man-marking, with a hint of zonal marking.