Rafael Benitez accepts he must plan to stop a Brazilian double act if Liverpool are to emerge unscathed from their European examination in Greece.

UEFA have named Greece captain Theodoros Zagorakis as the player of Euro 2004.

So miracles do happen, after all. The year of the underdog was taken to an incredible extreme as Greece completed one of the biggest upsets in international football to lift the Euro 2004 trophy.

Czech Republic striker Milan Baros wants first-team football at Liverpool next season – or he may move on.

Greece 0 Czech Republic 0

France 0-1 Greece

France 0-0 Greece

Russia 2 Greece 1

Greece 1 Spain 1

Greece’s players believe their German coach Otto Rehhagel has given them the fighting spirit they need to become a respected side on the international scene.

Irish pride may have taken a few knocks in recent weeks with two Euro 2004 qualifying defeats and the departure of Mick McCarthy as manager, but Don Givens’ makeshift team did a lot to lift spirits with their first-half display in this friendly international in Athens.

Real Madrid recorded their second win of the second phase in this clash with Greek side Panathinaikos.