When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 185 New Inscription on the Henri Delaunay Trophy: FRANCE 2004
The moment Charisteas' shot grazed the post and went out of bounds, the Greek bench erupted in chaos.

The assistant coach jumped up from his seat, clutched his head, and stared wide-eyed at the goal, as if he couldn't believe the ball hadn't gone in.

The substitute players rushed to the sideline, some raising their arms, some stomping their feet, and others grabbing their teammates' shoulders and shaking them wildly.

Head coach Rehhagel reacted the most strongly.

He leaned forward, clenched his fists, and just as the ball slid out of bounds, he slammed his fist into the air, letting out a deep roar: "Aaaaaah!"

His face flushed red, veins bulged on his forehead, but his eyes gleamed with excitement.

He yelled onto the court, "That's it! Keep going!"

The Greek fans' section of the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon erupted in deafening gasps and sighs, followed by applause that lasted for more than ten seconds.

The fans in the front row stood up, waving their blue and white scarves high. Some pounded their chests, while others pointed at the field and shouted, "One more time!"

The fans in the back row put their arms around each other's shoulders, jumped, and sang the Greek team's cheers. Although the attack failed to score, they saw hope.

In Syntagma Square in Athens, tens of thousands of fans gathered in front of a giant screen and exclaimed "Wow!" in unison, followed by thunderous applause.

The elderly people in the coffee shop put down their coffee cups and couldn't help but clap their hands.

Young people on the street jumped up and threw punches at the sky.

The children rode on their father's shoulders, mimicking Rehhagel by waving their little fists.

The TV commentator's voice trembled with excitement: "Greece! Greece threatened France's goal right from the start! Charisteas! Just a hair's breadth away! But that's the signal—tonight, we are fearless!"

Although the shot didn't go in, it was like a shot of adrenaline, invigorating the entire Greek team.

From the stadium to the streets, from players to fans, the belief that "we really can win" was instantly ignited.

Roy stood near the center circle, hands on his hips, his gaze sweeping over the Greek defense.

When Barthez took the goal kick, he exchanged a glance with Zidane, who nodded slightly.

Roy immediately started moving, first taking two steps back, with Kazoranis close behind.

Just as the Greek midfielder closed in, Roy suddenly changed direction, accelerating and cutting diagonally into the open space on the right flank.

Greek left-back Fesas hurriedly turned to chase after him, but was already half a body length behind.

Zidane chested the ball down and turned, but Zagorani's attempted interception missed.

The French midfielder glanced around and passed the ball to Henry on the left wing.

At this moment, Roy had already completed his second change of direction, circling around from behind Fesas to the outside.

Dellas was intently watching Henry with the ball, while Capus was being held back by Vieira's forward run.

Lizarazu made a high-speed run to the wing to receive the pass, and Henry, with his back to the goal, gently tapped the ball with his heel.

The French left-back delivered a first-time cross, the ball soaring over the penalty area.

Just as Lizarazu kicked the ball into the box, Roy was running at a steady pace outside the penalty area.

Fesas was pressed close to him, his arm draped over Roy's shoulder.

Just as the ball crossed the halfway line, Roy suddenly stopped abruptly. Fesas, caught off guard, stumbled forward two steps.

This subtle change in rhythm elicited a gasp from the stands.

"Watch out for your back!"

Someone shouted in the Greek fans' section.

But it was too late. The moment Fesas lost his balance, Roy suddenly accelerated and rushed towards the penalty area.

Dellas was originally marking Vieira, but when he turned his head and saw Roy, the French striker was already in the air.

Greek goalkeeper Nikpolidis's view was blocked by Dellas, and by the time he saw the ball coming, Roy's header was already whistling through the air.

Although the shot was ultimately saved, this ghostly run silenced the entire Greek fan section.

Several children in the front row wearing Greek jerseys stared wide-eyed, their fingers unconsciously pointing at the spot where Roy had just jumped.

How did he get there?

A middle-aged man wearing a blue and white scarf rubbed his eyes and asked his companion.

Meanwhile, in the French fans' section, people were clapping enthusiastically.

They knew that this unpredictable movement was Roy's most lethal weapon.

A few veteran fans in the stands exchanged smiles, and one of them whispered, "If Roy had Trezeguet's heading skills, we'd be popping champagne right now."

After the corner kick was taken, Vieira outjumped Basinas and headed the ball towards the goal, but Dellas blocked it with his thigh.

The Greek defenders shouted to each other and reorganized their defense, while Zagorani clapped to encourage his teammates.

Roy slowly retreated to his own half, his eyes fixed on the Greek goalkeeper's every move.

Greek coach Rehhagel waved vigorously from the sidelines and shouted several instructions onto the field.

Zagoranis immediately understood and gestured towards the back line.

The Greek players quickly tightened their formation, with the distance between the three lines noticeably shortening, and Dellas and Kapusis almost retreating to the edge of the penalty area.

The French players passed the ball around near the center circle, with Vieira and Makelele passing it back and forth looking for opportunities.

Roy roamed around the edge of the penalty area, occasionally looking back to observe the movement of the Greek defense.

He noticed that the two full-backs, Fesas and Seitaridis, had dropped deep, forming almost a five-man defensive line with the center-backs.

"They've started setting up buses."

Zidane said in a low voice as he passed Roy.

Roy nodded, his gaze sweeping over Greek goalkeeper Nikpolidis.

The latter was directing the positioning of the wall, and his voice could be clearly heard in the quiet stadium.

The French fans in the stands began to applaud rhythmically, knowing that a long and arduous battle was about to begin.

In the Greek fans' section, cheering songs were sung loudly, and blue and white flags rippled like waves in the stands.

Rehhagel stood in the technical area, arms crossed.

In his eyes, this French team really resembled the Greek coalition besieging Troy.

Zidane is calmly orchestrating the midfield, much like Agamemnon, the commander of the Greek coalition, shrewdly directing every attack.

Vieira, like Ajax the Elder, built an impenetrable wall in midfield with his strong physique.

What worries him most is Roy, who is constantly roaming the front line.

This young man is like Achilles on the battlefield of Troy, with each charge carrying an unstoppable momentum.

Even though the Greek defenses have tightened to an impenetrable level, Roy could still find the most dangerous gaps, like a sharp sword that could pierce through the city walls at any moment.

His Greek team, like the Trojans, can only struggle to hold on, relying on their strong walls.

In the 5th minute of the match, Vieira's long pass accurately found Roy on the right wing.

Greek defender Fesas immediately lowered his center of gravity and spread his arms to block the breakthrough route.

Roy lightly tapped the ball with his right foot, feigning an inside cut, and Fesas shifted his weight accordingly.

In that instant, Roy suddenly flicked the ball toward the sideline with the outside of his right foot, while simultaneously leaning his body sharply to the right.

Fesas quickly adjusted his pace, but Roy had already changed direction.

He used the instep of his left foot to pull the ball back to the inside, and then quickly poked it with his right foot, sending the ball rolling past Fessas's supporting leg.

As the Greek defender turned, Roy had already accelerated and dashed off like an arrow.

Fesas reached out to pull at the jersey, but only grabbed at thin air.

Roy adjusted his footing near the byline, looked up to observe, and then crossed the ball.

His cross, with its strong spin, headed straight for the six-yard box.

Dellas had to jump with all his might and head the ball out of the danger zone with his forehead.

The entire process was seamless, taking only five seconds from breakthrough to cross, yet it gave the Greek defense a real scare.

In the 10th minute, Zidane received the ball at the edge of the center circle, and Bazinas immediately closed him down aggressively.

The Greek midfielder stuck to Zidane like glue, constantly squeezing him with his body, while his right hand subtly tugged at the hem of Zidane's jersey.

Zidane attempted his first turn, but Baszlin immediately blocked his thigh with his knee, effectively stopping him in his place.

France's number 10 had to pass the ball back, but Makelele quickly returned it to him.

This time, Zagoranis joined in, and the two formed a pincer movement.

Zidane pulled the ball back with his left foot, and Basnaz immediately stretched out his leg to intercept, almost poking the ball away.

Just when the Greeks thought they had the ball, Zidane suddenly pulled it back with the sole of his right foot, and his body followed the momentum to complete a staggering turn.

Although Brazil's Nass was pushed back half a step, he immediately adjusted his center of gravity and closed in again.

The French fans on the sidelines were jumping up and down in frustration, while the Greek spectators cheered loudly.

Zidane's forehead was already sweating. He tried to get rid of the ball for the third time, this time using the outside of his right foot to flick the ball while simultaneously using his arm to deflect Basnaz's entanglement.

In that split second, he spotted a gap on the right flank and, with his last ounce of strength, delivered a low through ball.

Roy began observing the Greek defense's positioning as soon as Zidane received the ball.

He slowly retreated a few steps towards the midfield, casually pointing his right hand to the sky, as if indicating the direction for his teammates to pass the ball.

Fesas followed closely behind him, but his attention was clearly diverted by Roy's body language.

Just as Zidane completed his escape, Roy suddenly started moving.

He first feinted to the left, then stomped his right foot on the grass, and shot off like an arrow, darting diagonally behind the defensive line.

The speed of the start was astonishing; by the time Fesas turned around, he was already two body lengths behind.

Kapusis demonstrated exceptional tactical foresight, noticing the danger long before Roy initiated the attack.

The Greek center-backs did not rush in blindly, but instead maintained distance and retreated while fighting.

Just as Roy was about to receive the through ball, Capus seized the opportunity and made a precise sliding tackle, clearing the ball out of bounds at the last second.

In the living room of their Monaco apartment, the two siblings jumped up from the sofa at the same time.

Romi slammed her little fist into the pillow, her black braids swinging to her cheek with the movement.

She was wearing her brother's number 11 jersey, the hem of which reached her knees, making it look like a little skirt.

"Damn it!"

She blurted it out, and was immediately glared at by her mother, so she quickly stuck out her tongue.

"Just a little bit more... just a tiny bit more."

"That center-back, number 19," Rowan analyzed quietly, employing tactical thinking learned on the basketball court, "he doesn't press at all; he just blocks the passing lanes."

The mother handed over two cups of hot cocoa: "Don't rush, the competition has only just begun."

Romy grabbed the cup, her eyes still glued to the TV.

Luo Wen accepted it with both hands and said softly, "Thank you, Mom."

Roy protested to the referee with his hands outstretched, arguing that Kapusis had touched his supporting leg first.

But the referee remained unmoved, indicating that it was a good shot.

Roy sighed and slowly walked back.

As he passed Zidane, the two exchanged a glance, and Zidane nodded slightly to him.

A collective sigh of frustration rippled through the French fans in the stands.

They knew that the ball had just missed by a hair's breadth.

Greece's defense was impeccably organized.

Although their players are not as individually capable as the French stars, everyone strictly follows the coach's tactical instructions.

Delas and Capsis maintained a suitable distance throughout, and although Fesas was broken through, his teammates immediately covered for him.

Zagorani kept giving instructions from midfield, and the entire defense was like a sophisticated machine in operation.

On the sidelines, Rehhagel looked serious. He was fairly satisfied with the players' performance, but he knew in his heart that the game had only just begun.

The French team's attack came in waves, one after another.

In the 15th minute of the match, Makelele intercepted the ball and quickly passed it to the wing, where Roy received the ball on the right.

The stands erupted in chaos.

The Greek team immediately sent out Fesas and Basinas to double-team them.

"Roy! Roy!"

A burly man with a thick beard, wearing a number 9 jersey, was wildly waving his arms, his beer belly bouncing with each shout.

He gripped the railing tightly, his eyes bloodshot: "Get past them! Get past them!"

Roy first feigned cutting inside, then suddenly flicked the ball with the outside of his right foot, breaking through the gap between the two players.

The burly man immediately knelt on one knee, burying his face in his hands: "My God! That skill! Roy! My God!"

His friend tried to help him up, but he shoved him away.

A deafening scream erupted from the stands.

Several female fans in the front row jumped up excitedly, cupping their faces in their hands.

Roy dribbled into the penalty area, and the burly man completely lost control: "Shoot, Roy! Shoot it into the damn goal!"

He yelled in a hoarse voice, veins bulging on his neck, "If I were a woman, I'd jump onto you right now and wouldn't get off! I'd train with you every day! I'd hand you water and wipe your sweat!"

Delas lowered his center of gravity and prepared for battle.

When the two were two meters apart, Roy suddenly raised his right foot as if to shoot, his calf muscles tensing instantly.

Delas instinctively stretched out his leg to block, completely shifting his body weight.

In that split second, Roy gently landed his right foot and used the inside of his foot to cut the ball sideways.

It was too late for Delas to pull his leg back; he was frozen in place as if nailed to the spot.

Roy seized the fleeting opening and delivered a low, ground-hugging slash with the instep of his left foot.

The ball, with a strong inward spin, headed straight for the far corner of the goal.

Greek goalkeeper Nikpolidis dived to the side, barely managing to touch the ball with the tips of his glove.

The ball slowed down slightly, but it still stubbornly rolled toward the goal line, eventually grazing the outside of the post and going out of bounds under the watchful eyes of everyone.

The burly, fanatical man in the stands deflated instantly, slumping into his seat.

"damned!"

He wailed, his voice cracking with sobs, "If this ball had gone in, I could have bragged about it for the rest of my life!"

His girlfriend finally lost her temper and slapped him on the back of the head: "Shut the fuck up!"

The surrounding audience burst into laughter, and someone jeered, "Brother, your wife wants a divorce!"

In the 18th minute of the match, the French team launched another attack.

Roy dropped back to the right side of midfield and raised his hand to ask for the ball.

Zidane understood perfectly and delivered a low, short pass.

The moment Roy received the ball, Nasz of Brazil pounced on him.

Just as the two were about to make contact, Roy turned and gently tapped the ball back to Zidane, while he quickly turned and moved forward.

France's number 10 made a direct pass without stopping the ball, and the two completed a textbook one-two pass.

Roy dribbled forward at high speed, while Greek midfielder Zagoranis retreated while fighting.

Advancing to within 20 meters of the penalty area, Roy suddenly changed direction and used the outside of his right foot to pass the ball to Henry, who was making a run down the left flank.

When Roy passed the ball to Henry, the entire Greek defense immediately shifted to the left.

While keeping an eye on Roy's forward runs, Delas directed Capsis to cover Henry.

Fesas also dropped back from the right flank, forming a dense defense in front of the penalty area.

Henry looked up near the byline and then delivered a precise lob pass with his left foot.

The ball crossed the Greek defense and fell towards the penalty spot.

Roy arrived in a flash and, before the ball even hit the ground, volleyed it directly into the air from the tight space!
"boom!"

Center-back Dellas bravely blocked the shot with his body, the ball slamming into his chest before deflecting and flying into the stands.

In the 22nd minute of the match, the Greek team finally found a counter-attack opportunity.

Gennacopoulos suddenly accelerated down the left flank, shaking off Sagnol before delivering a low cross.

Charisteas outjumped Gallas in the center of the penalty area and headed the ball to the onrushing Basnaz.

The Greek midfielder unleashed a powerful shot, which whistled over the crossbar, giving French goalkeeper Barthez a scare.

The French team immediately retaliated.

Roy received the clearance near the center circle and, before the ball hit the ground, volleyed a 40-meter long pass.

The ball, as if guided by a navigation system, precisely found Henry on the left wing. The Arsenal striker controlled the ball and cut inside in one smooth motion, but unfortunately, the final shot was too straight and was easily caught by Nikpolidis.

The rapid shifts in offense and defense between the two sides within just one minute were breathtaking.

The Greek substitutes had already stood up; they knew that being able to launch a counter-attack against such a strong French attack was a positive sign in itself.

Meanwhile, French coach Santini kept gesturing on the sidelines, signaling to his players to pay attention to counter-attacking.

In the 25th minute, Roy once again tore apart the Greek defense on the right wing.

Facing Fesas's defense, he suddenly stopped and changed direction, then used the outside of his right foot to flick the ball towards the baseline.

The Greek left-back barely managed to turn and chase back, but Roy had already crossed the ball.

Henry feinted at the near post, deliberately letting the ball pass him.

Zidane, arriving at the far post, unleashed a powerful shot! Just as the ball was about to fly into the net, Greek captain Zagorakis dove to block the shot, using a sliding tackle to shut the ball out of the penalty area.

Vieira intercepted the second ball 30 meters away and volleyed it into the air before it even hit the ground!

The powerful long-range shot headed straight for the top right corner of the goal, but Nickpolidis leaped up and tipped the ball over the crossbar with one hand.

Greece's defensive organization was textbook-perfect.

They adopted a tight 4-3-3 defensive formation, with the three defensive lines maintaining close spacing.

Defensive midfielder Cazoranis always stood in front of the two center-backs, forming a protective barrier.

Wingers Charisteas and Gennacopoulos dropped very deep, forming a second line of defense with the midfield.

This low-block, chain-like defense meant that while the French team had the advantage in possession, they consistently struggled to find a real breakthrough.

In the 33rd minute, Roy suddenly pressed forward in his own half and dispossessed Zagorakis.

He started like an arrow released from a bow, dribbling the ball for 60 meters.

The Greek defense quickly retreated, with three players forming a perimeter around them.

Roy first dribbled past Cazoranis with his right foot, then used his speed to outpace Dellas, and finally flicked the ball with his heel just outside the penalty area, completing a no-look pass.

Lizarazu rushed over to deliver the cross, but Dellas immediately recovered and cleared the ball with a clean header.

Greece's defense was like an impenetrable net.

Each defensive line maintained a 10-meter distance, and the players' positions were almost as precise as if measured with a ruler.

Whenever a French player gets the ball, two or three players immediately surround him.

Roy, however, managed to tear a gap in this impenetrable defense. Every touch of the ball he made was full of creativity, leaving the Greek players helpless.

In the 38th minute, the Greek team finally launched another threatening attack.

Zagorakis dispossessed Vieira in a midfield battle and quickly passed the ball to the wing.

Charisteas crossed from the right, Frizas outjumped Gallas to head the ball across, and Basnaz followed up with a powerful shot, which was brilliantly saved by Barthez.

In the ensuing corner kick, Dellas almost replicated Roy's header, but the ball grazed the post and went wide.

These two offensive and defensive plays perfectly illustrated the nature of the match: Greece used a tight overall defense to limit France, while Roy constantly created opportunities with his individual skills.

On the sidelines, Rehhagel frowned, knowing that completely shutting down such a talented player was almost an impossible task.

The match entered a heated phase, and the entire stadium was boiling like a pot of water.

The French fans in the stands surged and swelled, and whenever Roy got the ball, tens of thousands of blue scarves would wave simultaneously, shouting deafeningly, "Roy! Roy!"

In the Greek fans' stands, thunderous applause erupted after each successful defense, with the elderly even excitedly pounding on the armrests of their seats, as if trying to build a second line of defense with their shouts.

Roy on the right wing really does resemble Achilles from mythology.

His black hair flew as he ran, and his feet, clad in blue combat boots, moved so fast they left afterimages.

In the 43rd minute, he swiftly outmaneuvered Fesas, the grass rippling beneath his feet as he surged forward. But the Greek defense stood firm like the walls of Troy, and Dellas, like the legendary Hector, refused to yield an inch, each encounter producing a dull thud of muscle colliding.

Kapusis, as if possessed by Aeneas, always appeared in the most dangerous position at crucial moments. His jersey was already soaked with sweat, but he still ran tirelessly to cover for his teammates.

The most thrilling moment came in stoppage time: Roy received a pass from Vieira on the right wing.

He first feigned cutting inside, then suddenly used the outside of his right foot to flick the ball towards the baseline, easily getting past the exhausted Fesas.

The Greek defense immediately tightened up, with Kazoranis tracking back from midfield and Dellas blocking the inside penetration route.

Roy did not slow down; he made two quick touches and changed direction, shaking off Cazoranis's sliding tackle.

Just as he was about to break into the penalty area, Dellas had already covered him, the Greek center-back maintaining a safe distance of one meter, neither making a move nor giving him space to shoot.

Roy was forced to slow down, and he pretended to cross the ball, but actually pulled it back with the sole of his foot.

At this point, Capussis had abandoned marking Henry and was flanking him from the other side.

Roy was surrounded by three men, and he managed to complete a shot with his left foot.

Dellas and Kapusis simultaneously leaped to block the shot, practically piling their bodies on top of each other to completely shut down the shot's trajectory.

The ball slammed heavily against Dellas's thigh and bounced out of bounds. The Greek center-back fell to the ground, immediately rolled to his feet, his face bearing a pained yet resolute expression.

This defense perfectly demonstrated Greece's tactical discipline: Fesas was responsible for the first line of interception, Kazoranis slowed down the advance, Dellas blocked the inside cut, and finally, Kapusis made the fatal block.

Despite his exceptional individual skills, Roy was ultimately unable to find a weakness in the face of such tight team defense.

As the ball bounced out of bounds, Greek goalkeeper Nicopolidis helped each of his teammates up. The way they encouraged each other by touching foreheads looked just like a group of warriors in an ancient Greek relief.

As the whistle blew to end the first half, Roy stood there, hands on his knees, breathing heavily.

His black hair was soaked with sweat, strands of it sticking to his forehead.

As the Greek players helped each other walk toward the locker room, Dellas, who was still limping, was still high-fiving his teammates.

"They're a fucking iron army."

Roy muttered to himself, wiping the sweat from his face with his jersey.

None of these Greek players could be considered superstars on their own, but under Rehhagel's guidance, they seemed to be under a spell, each one working together seamlessly like a cog in a machine.

Roy had to admit that this team deserved the victory.

He just shouldn't have won against Roy.

He suddenly grinned, sweat dripping from his chin, slapped his thigh hard, and his eyes shone with an alarming brightness.

These are the tough battles that are truly exciting!

He suddenly remembered the overwhelming media coverage before the match.

What "modern Trojan War"? What "Achilles versus Troy"?

Achilles?

He shook his head, muttering to himself.

Those reporters simply don't understand.

He was never the hero with a fatal weakness from Greek mythology.

As early as when he was 18 years old, in an interview with L'Équipe, he said that he preferred to compare himself to Attila, the "Scourge of God" who made all of Europe tremble.

Roy wiped the sweat from his face and suddenly remembered the Nike ad script that Claire had shown him before the European Cup.

In the footage, he will be wearing a black battle robe, riding a spirited horse and charging towards the towering city wall.

The creative director, beaming with excitement, explained in the conference room: "The scene begins with you charging forward on horseback, and the city walls crumble before your eyes."

“Remember, you are not an envoy to negotiate, you are a king to conquer.”

Although the filming will not begin until after the European Cup, he already seems to be wearing that black jersey at this moment.

The more the Greeks rushed forward to block the gun barrels, the more restless the brute force in his veins became.

The media often compares him to Achilles, but he knows he's more like the conqueror in the script who rides his horse and tramples cities.

Achilles has a fatal heel, and his play has only one ending—standing on the ruins looking down on his defeated opponent.

The second half's 45 minutes were enough for him to crush this meticulously constructed Greek fortress into dust, much like the Hunnic cavalry swept across the East European plains.

The moment the referee blew the whistle, Roy shot off like a bullet, his black hair flying wildly in the wind.

His positioning began to demonstrate the wisdom of a top player.

He no longer confined himself to the right flank, but instead roamed the entire field like a queen on a chessboard.

In the 50th minute, he first dropped back to the midfield to receive Makelele, then passed the ball to Zidane with one touch before immediately making a diagonal run into the flank.

Just as Greek midfielder Cazoranis was about to mark him, Roy suddenly stopped and changed direction, turning back to the right wing.

This unpredictable movement kept the Greek defenses constantly on their toes.

In the 55th minute, Roy feigned a cross from the byline, but suddenly cut inside as Fesas rushed in.

Dellas had to leave his defensive zone to cover, and Roy immediately flicked the ball with his heel to the overlapping Gallas.

The entire process was seamless, and the two Greek defenders were tricked into overlapping positions.

The most brilliant play was the attack in the 60th minute.

Roy first strolled slowly to midfield, then suddenly started running the moment the Greek players relaxed their guard.

When he received Vieira's through ball, he deliberately let the ball slip between his legs, then turned and dribbled past him.

By the time Kapusis reacted, Roy had already broken into the penalty area and unleashed a tricky shot, which was unfortunately saved by Nikpolidis with his toe.

When Roy completed that exquisite dribble past his opponent and into the penalty area, the Dutch television studio fell silent for a few seconds.

Special guest Cruyff rested his hands on his chin, staring intently at the replay.

“Look at this positioning,” he said, his voice filled with the amazement of someone who had discovered a treasure. “This is not a simple acceleration breakthrough, but a complete tactical execution.”

"He was observing the defensive line's positioning while he was walking, deliberately slowing down the pace to make the Greek players lower their guard."

"Then the most brilliant part was that turn after letting the ball slip through. In modern football, 99% of players would choose to stop the ball and adjust, but Roy used this move to accomplish three tasks at the same time: deceive the defender, adjust the direction of the attack, and create shooting space."

When the camera replayed Nick Polydis's save, Cruyff shook his head: "The tactical value of this attack far outweighs the result. Roy showed all the coaches how to break down a five-man defense in just twenty square meters of space with three moves."

"Roy displayed revolutionary tactical value on the field. He is essentially a 'false nine,' but unlike traditional number nines, his range of movement covers the entire attacking third. When the team transitions from defense to attack, he will proactively drop back to the midfield flanks to receive the ball. This positioning is extremely clever—it avoids direct interceptions from the Greek defensive midfielders while utilizing the gap between the full-backs and center-backs. His dropping back is not a passive request for the ball, but has a clear tactical purpose: to create space for Zidane to make forward runs by attracting two defenders. This 'retreat to advance' movement completely disrupted the Greek defense."

"Modern football demands more from strikers than just dribbling and shooting. Roy's special quality lies in his ability to switch roles according to the defensive formation—becoming an attacking midfielder when the defense contracts and transforming into a wing attacking threat when the defense stretches out. Look at this attack: after drawing defenders on the right flank, he suddenly moved laterally. This wasn't improvisation, but a carefully designed tactical trap. This movement forced the Greek defense to constantly adjust their positions, ultimately creating a deadly gap between the center-backs and full-backs."

"What's most worthy of study is the fundamental difference between him as a false nine and a traditional striker. Traditional center forwards are fixed in the penalty area like a fulcrum, but Roy established multiple 'tactical connection points': one-two passes with the defensive midfielder, cross runs with another center forward, and even overlapping runs with the full-backs. This kept the French team's attack threatening from multiple fronts. In particular, the timing of his lateral passes—always drawing two defenders before suddenly distributing the ball—this 'point-to-area' style of play is the core idea of ​​modern football in breaking down dense defenses."

"From a tactical evolution perspective, Roy represents a revolution in the forward position. He is neither a target man, nor a simple shadow striker, nor a traditional number 10, but a 'space interpreter' and a 'mobile tactical hub.' His value cannot be measured by simple position or statistics, but is reflected in the systemic disruption of the defensive system. Rehhagel's defensive organization is already perfect enough, but against this all-round, multi-layered offensive threat, even the most solid defensive system will show cracks."

In the 67th minute, the French team patiently passed the ball around in midfield.

Vieira first completed a one-two with Makelele, then sent a through ball to Zidane.

Cruyff suddenly sat up straight, his fingers tapping lightly on the commentary table: "Watch this organization's transition from defense to offense!"

His eyes were fixed on Vieira's movements. "The French team is now playing a typical two-pivot transition game, and Makelele's positioning is crucial."

Greek midfielder Cazoranis made a diving interception, and the ball deflected off his heel and back to Vieira's feet.

"The Greek defensive midfielder's positioning was clever, but..."

Without hesitation, the French defensive midfielder dribbled forward five meters before passing the ball to Zidane on the left wing.

Zidane, with his back to Basz, gently passed the ball back with the instep of his foot before the opponent could press him, and Roy made a perfectly timed run to receive it.

The two players completed two consecutive one-touch passes in a tight space, tearing a gap in the Greek defense with this exquisite combination.

Roy suddenly changed direction at the edge of the penalty area and passed the ball with the outside of his right foot to Giuly, who was making a high-speed run down the right flank.

Just as Giuly received the ball, Roy suddenly stopped and made a run, shaking off Capus who was marking him and heading straight into the penalty area.

Dellas desperately chased back, but Giuly had already delivered a precise lob pass, the ball sailing over Dellas's head and heading towards the six-yard box.

Roy leaped into the air on the right side of the six-yard box, preparing to volley a shot.

Dellas and Kapusis simultaneously leaped to block the shot, practically stacking themselves on top of each other to shut down the angle.

But Roy changed tactics mid-air, deftly controlling the ball with the instep of his left foot.

The moment Roy landed, Dellas had already adjusted his center of gravity and pounced again.

This Greek defender's defense was undeniably tenacious; his eyes burned with a determination to block at all costs, and his muscles were taut like a fully drawn bowstring.

Just as the two were about to collide, Roy displayed his innate ball control.

With a flick of his right foot, as if by magic, the ball obediently leaped up, just clearing the outstretched toes of Dellas.

This seemingly casual action actually hides a secret.

The height and force of the lob are precisely calculated; a point too high and the ball will fly out of bounds, a point too low and it will be intercepted.

After completing the lob, Roy's body spun as lightly as a cat.

His turn was not a hasty move, but a continuation of a premeditated attack.

In the confined space, every movement he made was clean and efficient, without the slightest hesitation.

As the ball fell again, Roy had already adjusted to his optimal shooting position.

His gaze was focused and calm, as if the noisy stadium around him had nothing to do with him.

From a position so small it was almost impossible to score, he unleashed a powerful right-footed strike.

This powerful shot embodied all his skill and determination, the ball whistling as it soared into the net.

The shot was extremely difficult to execute, and the ball flew like a cannonball towards the top corner of the near post.

Despite Nick Polydis's diving save, the ball was too fast and too angled, ultimately grazing the junction of the crossbar and post before slamming into the net.

"boom"

The Greek goalkeeper couldn't even touch the ball and could only watch helplessly as it hit the side netting.

The moment the ball hit the net, the entire stadium erupted in chaos.

The blue stands were like a boiling sea, with tens of thousands of people jumping, shouting, and waving everything they could grab at the same time.

The sound waves surged in from all directions, creating a deafening echo over the lawn.

From above, half of the stadium looks like a pot of boiling blue water.

Blue and white flags fluttered in every corner of France.

The same cheers erupted in the streets of Paris, in the squares of Marseille, in the bars of Nice, and in front of every television screen.

At that moment, the whole of France turned into a sea of ​​jubilation.

The broadcast camera panned across the VIP section, where French President Jacques Chirac smiled and clapped lightly.

The cabinet ministers beside him nodded to each other, and several high-ranking officials in blue suits patted each other on the shoulder.

The entire VIP area was filled with restrained joy, a stark contrast to the sea of ​​blue cheering in the stands.

Thierry Rolland's signature husky voice came through the television broadcast.
"Goal! Goal! France leads Greece 1-0! This is a historic moment! Roy has scored his 10th goal in this European Championship, surpassing the legendary Platini's record of 9 goals! Look at this goal, from Vieira's initiation, to Zidane's orchestration, to the perfect combination between Roy and Giuly, and finally this exquisite lob, turn, and powerful shot! Greece's defense was impeccable, but even the strongest wall can be breached by such a brilliant performance!"

"Remember this moment, Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, July 4, 2004, France took the lead in the European Championship final! Roy, this 19-year-old prodigy, rewrote history in the most perfect way! 10 goals, an unprecedented number! France is one step closer to defending their European Championship title!"

"Listen to this deafening cheer! Look at this sea of ​​blue! French fans, celebrate! Your team is creating a new legend! And Greece, the dark horse that created this miracle, now faces the biggest test of the tournament! There are still more than twenty minutes left in the game, but at this moment, glory belongs to France, to Roy!"

Meanwhile, the Aegean coast fell into a deathly silence.

In front of an open-air screen in Athens, blue and white scarves fell silently; in a bar in Thessaloniki, a half-raised glass froze in mid-air; in every household on Crete, only the cheers of the opponents could be heard from the television.

In that instant, a ball drew a line of joy and sorrow between the two nations.

The French team completed seven consecutive passes during the goal-scoring process, with Roy involved in four of the key touches.

The Greek defense had done its best: Kazoranis intercepted, Dellas tracked back, and Kapusis blocked, but against a player of Roy's caliber, even the most perfect defense is bound to have a lapse.

Nickpolidis knelt on the goal line, looking back at the ball in the net, his face full of helplessness.

Delas slumped onto the grass, his hands covering his head.

This was the best defense they could manage.

Rehhagel stood on the sidelines, hands on his hips, taking a deep breath.

The German coach who once led Kaiserslautern to a miraculous title win as a newly promoted team is now watching as a crack is torn in the impenetrable wall he built in Greece.

He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his face and glanced at the scoreboard.

The 1-0 scoreline was particularly striking in the darkness.

This tactical mastermind knows better than anyone how similar his Greek team is to Kaiserslautern back then: both were underestimated, both had an iron-willed defense, and both prioritized teamwork.

But now, his carefully constructed defense has been breached for the first time in the European Championship.

(In the 1996-97 season, Rehhagel led Kaiserslautern to promotion to the Bundesliga as champions of the 2. Bundesliga, and the following year, as a newly promoted team, they won the Bundesliga title, creating the "Kaiserslautern Miracle" that shocked the football world. This feat made them only the second team in the world, after Tottenham Hotspur in 1951, to win both the second-tier and top-tier league titles in consecutive years. Since then, the "Kaiserslautern Miracle" has become a synonym in the football world for a newly promoted team's unexpected championship win.)
After the game restarted, Santini immediately made a substitution.

Makelele, Lizarazu and Gallas were all substituted, and Pedretti, Desailly and Sagnol came on as substitutes.

Abidal was moved to left-back, and the French team's formation clearly dropped back.

The signal for this substitution is very clear.

Santini will use the experienced Desailly to solidify the defense and the energetic Pedretti to strengthen the midfield interception, so as to hold on to the 1-0 score until the final whistle.

Greece responded immediately, with Rehhagel replacing Janakopoulos with striker Papadopoulos.

This substitution sends a clear signal of attack.

The Greek team will go all out in the final stages.

With just over twenty minutes left in the game, the Greek team began to press forward with all their players.

Papadopoulos combined with Zagorakis on the left flank, forcing Sagnol to retreat repeatedly.

In the 72nd minute, Greece won a corner kick. Zagorakis's cross found Dellas at the far post, but Desailly headed the ball out of danger.

In the 75th minute, Vieira intercepted the ball in the backfield and made a long pass to Roy, who dribbled the ball forward for 30 meters before being brought down by a tactical foul from Capussis just outside the penalty area.

The referee showed a yellow card, and the French team was awarded a free kick in a very good position.

Zidane's curling shot went around the wall and headed straight for the top corner, but Nikpolidis made a diving save to push the ball out of bounds.

Greece's desperate attack actually gave France more space to attack.

In the 82nd minute, after Greece's corner kick was cleared, Zidane delivered a pinpoint through ball from midfield to Henry, who broke through on a one-on-one, but his final shot was blocked by Nikpolidis's leg.

Three minutes later, when the Greek team pressed forward with all their players, a huge gap appeared in their own half.

After receiving a long pass from Vieira, Roy skillfully chipped the ball over Dellas and played a signature one-two with Zidane on the edge of the penalty area, but unfortunately the final curling shot went just over the crossbar.

France's counter-attacks were fluid and seamless, each advance putting the Greek defense on edge.

In the 88th minute, Henry suddenly accelerated on the left wing, changed direction to get past Seitaridis, and entered the penalty area.

The Greek right-back desperately chased back, but Henry had already preemptively delivered a cutback pass with his left foot.

The ball rolled quickly along the grass towards the penalty spot.

Roy arrived in a flash, making a move to take a direct shot.

Delas dove to block without hesitation, while Capsis slid in from the side.

Just as the two were about to block him, Roy flicked his ankle and deftly passed the ball to Zidane, who was making a run into the box.

Zidane unleashed a powerful shot, the ball hurtling towards the top left corner of the goal like a cannonball.

Despite Nick Polydis's best efforts, he was unable to reach the target.

With a loud bang, the ball slammed against the underside of the crossbar and bounced off the grass in front of the goal line.

The Greek defender immediately cleared the ball with a long kick, and the French players raised their hands to indicate that the ball had crossed the line.

After an urgent discussion between the referee and the linesman, the referee firmly pointed to the corner flag.

The ball did not cross the goal line completely.

This narrow call cost France the chance to secure the victory and gave Greece a real scare.

In the final moments of stoppage time, Roy received the ball on the right wing and faced a double-team from three Greek defenders.

He first feigned cutting inside, then suddenly flicked the ball with the outside of his right foot, getting past the first defender.

Then, with a sudden stop and change of direction, he squeezed through the narrow gap between the two defenders.

After successfully breaking through, Roy dribbled straight to the byline and delivered a precise low cross before Fessas could block him.

Henry arrived quickly and met the ball with a shot from the edge of the six-yard box.

Just as the ball was about to go into the net, Kapusis leaped to block it, using his thigh to deflect the ball out of bounds.

France has been awarded one last corner kick.

Zidane stood in the corner area, took a deep breath, ran up and kicked a curling shot.

The ball bypassed the defender at the near post and found Roy precisely at the far post.

Despite being pressured by Dellas, Roy still managed to head the ball, cleverly flicking it on to the center of the six-yard box.

Desailly charged into the penalty area like a tank, shoving aside Zagorakis's defense, and knocked the ball into the net with his knee from close range.

Although Nick Polydis touched the ball, he couldn't prevent it from going into the net.

2-0! France secures the victory!

"Goal! Desailly! Our old captain! France 2-0, securing the victory! Look at this attack: Roy broke through three defenders and still managed a cross; Zidane's corner kick was perfectly timed; Roy's header was flawless; and finally, it was Desailly—the 36-year-old veteran—who sealed the win for France! This was Desailly's last match for the national team, and he gave his farewell performance in the most perfect way! From the 1996 European Championship to the 2004 European Championship, this iron-willed captain wrote the most glorious chapter in French football's history in eight years! Roy's agility, Desailly's tenacity—this is the legacy of French football! The championship belongs to France!"

The final whistle pierced the night sky, and the clock at the Stadium of Light stopped at "90+3".

The French players instantly raised their arms and charged at each other.

Vieira knelt down and roared, Henry and Zidane embraced tightly, and the blue figures on the bench surged onto the field like a tide.

Desailly was pinned down by his teammates, but the veteran captain struggled to crawl out of the crowd, ripped off his jersey, and kissed the team emblem.

The stands had long since transformed into a rolling sea of ​​blue and white.

A father carried his child on his shoulders, waving the national flag; couples kissed passionately in the crowd; and an elderly man with white hair trembled as he wiped away his tears.

The Greek players stood frozen like statues.

Zagorakis slumped on the grass, Delas lay on his back with his eyes closed, and Nikpolidis lay on the goal line for a long time.

Rehhagel strode toward Santini, and the two managers shook hands briefly but firmly.

An eerie silence fell over the Greek fans' stands. Some were sobbing with their heads down, others were staring blankly at the scoreboard, and a few young fans were still stubbornly waving their blue and white flags.

Dozens of cameras were simultaneously pointed at Roy.

Sweat dripped down his black hair, glistening under the spotlight.

He raised his hand and brushed his wet bangs behind his head, revealing his angular face.

Those dark eyes calmly swept across the stands, showing neither elation nor fatigue, as if they had just finished a training match.

The director in the broadcast van switched to a close-up shot, which was transmitted via satellite to more than 200 countries and regions around the world.

This close-up of the 19-year-old is currently flashing across countless screens at the speed of light, passing over the undersea cable and through the atmospheric ionosphere.

Viewers on half the globe simultaneously saw the bulging blue veins on the back of his hand as he raised his hand to wipe away sweat.

Zidane walked slowly behind Roy and gently pinched the back of his neck.

Roy turned around, and Zidane put his arm around his shoulder and whispered something in his ear.

He nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Other French players flocked in from all directions.

Henry leaped onto the backs of Roy and Zidane, despite wasting at least three excellent chances throughout the game.

Vieira's large hand pressed down on Roy and Zidane's heads at the same time.

Roy's face was squeezed between Henry and Vieira, yet he maintained a calm expression.

He doesn't need to complain or make things difficult.

After that night, no one in European football could question his status anymore.

Desailly squeezed into the crowd and ruffled Roy's hair.

Sagnol put his arm around Roy's waist from the side, as if to lift him up.

The broadcast director switched the camera angles as needed.

The gleaming Delaunay Trophy was carried to the center of the venue by staff, reflecting a cool light under the spotlight.

The names of previous champions are clearly engraved on the base of the trophy, and the latest blank line awaits the words "FRANCE 2004".

"Champions! Champions belong to France! Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to wipe away my tears. We are the Kings of Europe! On July 4, 2004, at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal, France defeated Greece 2-0, lifting the Henri Delaunay Trophy for the third time in history! Look at these heroes: the 36-year-old Desailly's perfect farewell, Zidane's masterful control, and our 19-year-old prodigy Roy! At this moment, remember these names: Barthez, Thuram, Vieira, Henry, Giuly. All French people are proud of you! The blue, white, and red tricolor flag of France will once again fly high at the top of Europe!"

The commentator's voice choked with emotion, and the sound of French fans singing "La Marseillaise" could be heard in the background.

(End of this chapter)