Part 82 - You Only Lose the Gold
UEFA Euro 2004 - Knockout Stage
Denmark and Serbia featured in the group stage's first - and only - goalless draw. However, Sweden scored enough goals for three teams when they demolished Bulgaria 5-0 in their opener. The Swedes went on to find a late equalizer against Serbia to draw 1-1 and an even later one in the 2-2 thriller with Denmark, who previously brushed aside the Bulgarians 2-0. Serbia's 1-1 draw with Bulgaria ensured they left Portugal trophyless, but undefeated.
Group C of UEFA Euro 2004.
The first knockout tie was an exciting rematch of a last 16 battle at the preceding World Cup, which was then won 3-2 by England. Indeed, The Three Lions opened the scoring and maintained the advantage for the majority of the game - until the Soviets equalized in the 84th minute thanks to their captain, Andriy Shevchenko. Football matches have a tendency to stagnate during extra time. Not this one. In the 110th minute, the Soviets took the lead for the first time. Five minutes later, England equalized, but in vain as the Soviets were more potent in the arduous shootout.
The second quarter-final was another greatly anticipated rematch - of both the 1984 and most recent Euro 2000 final, which France won. But not this time around, thanks to Helder Postiga's 83rd-minute goal. Despite topping an insanely competitive group, Le Bleus were already eliminated.
Despite being intense and featuring its fair share of chances and drama, the match between Sweden and the Netherlands was still goalless after 120 minutes. The Dutch were more accurate in the shootout, but the Sweded exited with their head held up high.
Bohemia had emerged as one of the big favourites following their group stage display, and they kept up their momentum, brushing aside a solid Danish side 3-0.
The Netherlands famously beat the Soviets in the Euro 1988 semi-final, but 16 years later the Soviets got revenge thanks to a goal around the hour-mark.
At Euro 2000, Portugal denied Bohemia a place in the final. Would history repeat itself? Following Portugal's goal in the 28th minute, that appeared to be the case, and when it was doubled 12 minutes into the second half, the result was all but sealed. Bohemia did get on the scoresheet a couple of minutes later, but the Portuguese resisted a comeback to reach back-to-back Euro finals.
Portuguese football had come a long way since the Soviet Union brushed them aside in that Euro 1996 quarter-final. However, more fresh in the minds of fans was this tournaments' group stage encounter between the two European giants. Could Portugal win again and exorcise their 2000 demons? The opener in the 34th minute gave Portuguese fans reason to be optimistic, but Shevchenko's equalizer around the hour-mark greatly dampened the mood, unless you were Soviet. Extra time again. Just like in 2000 when France won thanks to a golden goal. And in 1996 when the Soviets managed the same feat versus Bohemia. Since then, UEFA had replaced the golden goal rule with the equally hated silver goal, meaning at least the current half would be finished before an extra-time "winning goal" truly was just that. In the 108th minute, Nuno Gomes scored a silver goal to secure Portugal's gold medal. Champions at last.
Knockout stage of UEFA Euro 2004.
Credit to @ArupinumMaivista for nailing the predictions.
Stay tuned for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and its many exciting differences. 
