We started off the year 2003 with 2 qualifying matches in March against Armenia which we won 3-0 followed by a 1-0 win over Slovenia. That was to be followed by 2 friendly matches against Spain and Croatia (again). We thrashed Croatia 3-0 this time around. Whereas the match against Spain also ended 3-0, thanks to a 15-minute blitz by Barmby, Owen and Greening. [ScreenShot] Then we went back to the Qualifiers, seeing off Scotland 2-1, Sweden 3-1 and Armenia 2-1 for a record breaking 11 matches unbeaten run. Holland ended the run in the last match for 2003 when we were only able to draw 1-1 with them.

Lo and behold, guess who were we up against in the first friendly for the year 2004? Croatia. 2 goals from Arsenal players Joe Cole and Greening sealed the match. Then we were off to Holland for our last friendly before Euro 2004. We could only manage a 2-2 draw, no thanks to Richard Wright who got himself sent off in the 82nd minute, thus gifting them an equalizer.

Here's a quick rundown on the qualifiers for Euro 2004. Portugal (host), England, Finland, Holland, Ukraine, Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, Russia, France, Greece, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia, Ireland and Yugoslavia. We were drawn into Group 2, the 'group of death', consisting of Russia, Greece and archenemy Germany. Nevertheless, I was quite happy with the draw, which will allow me to bury the ghosts of the past. Especially against Germany and the team that kicked us out of the World Cup, Greece.

First up, Russia thrashed Germany 3-1 to take top spot just before our match against Greece. 35,000 turned up at Setubal for the match. Greece started defensively and managed to thwart out attacks for half an hour. But seemingly, Joe Cole had other ideas. He has been the main lynchpin for the past few matches, settling down to the role of playmaker for England. He retrieved a pass from Gerard, held it well before dribbling past 2 defenders and unleashing a shot. GOAL! 10 minutes later, England captain, David Beckham threaded a ball into the area, Michael Carrick was the first to react. GOAL! Halftime score line, England 2 Greece 0. 10 minutes into the second half, Gerard sprayed a pass into the path of Owen, with superb control he unleashed a rocket from outside the box. GOAL! 3-0 for England and surely no way for Greece to come back into the match again. But somehow or another, another set-piece allowed Greece to score their consolation goal in the 72nd minute. 3-1 the final score.[ScreenShot]

Russia managed to hold Greece in the second match while we were entertaining Germany in Setubal. Germany had always thwarted our chance again and again. This was the time for payback. Germany started well and had us defending for the first few minutes. But that was to change in the 7th minute, Beckham started sprinting down the right before sending in a cross for Owen in the area. Owen volleyed the ball. GOAL! His 20th international goal! Richard Wright performed well between the sticks to keep Germany at bay. On the half-hour, a counter attack started by Ashley Cole found Gerard free in the middle of the pitch. Gerard sent a long pass towards the right for Carrick. Carrick broke free of his markers and set the ball flying towards goal. GOAL! England started to play more defensively and Germany are well on their way to another defeat. The second half had just started, when England was given a corner. Carrick sent the cross in which found the head of Smith. GOAL! Alan Smith scores to give us a thumping 3-0 win over Germany! [ScreenShot]

We have already qualified alongside with Russia, so the next match against them was just to wrap things up in the group stage. Germany finally had their first win by beating Greece 2-1. Russia was no match for us even when we were a man down after Thatcher was sent off in the 48th minute. An own goal from Russia and a late goal by Smith gave us a 2-1 win over Russia who scored through Pavlyuchenko.

The quarterfinal stage saw us taking on Czech Republic. Ireland faced Croatia, Finland against Russia and France taking on Holland. The odds were on France and us to qualify for the Final. Finland who were previously the underdogs showed what they were capable of by beating Portugal 5-4 in the group stage and winning 5-1 against Ukraine.

Our match was played out in front of 92,000 supporters in Lisbon. We held on to and early lead by Owen in the 28th minute after he was put through by David Beckham. But the game really came to life in the secong half. Starting from the 50th minute when Owen scored his second goal, Paciorek immediately replied with a goal for the Czechs. But England had their 2-goal cushion restored when Ferdinand's long pass found Owen free inside the box. GOAL! A hat-trick by Michael Owen! 10 minutes later Paciorek found the net again but it too little too late and the Czech Republic was bundled out of the competition. Beckham could play no part anymore in the competition after getting himself injured.[ScreenShot]

The semifinal line-up was Croatia against England and Finland against France. Croatia won via penalties against Ireland after the full-time score was 1-1. Finland thrashed Russia 4-1 and they are now odds-on favourites to reach the Final. France could only beat Holland through a solitary goal from Sabri Lamouchi.

I had to field a depleted side as most of the players were tired after the match against the Czech Republic. Anyhow, the boys didn't fail me and we won 2-0 with goals courtesy of Jansen and Bridges. In the other semifinal match, Finland thrashed France 4-2 to qualify for the Final. 2 Arsenal players, Pires and Vieira scored.

The European Championship Final match-up saw us taking on Finland. No one had expected us to qualify for the Final. We were only expected to qualify for the quarterfinals. So did Finland. They were being written off before the start of the championship but they have now proven themselves worthy of a place in the Final. I did not have a full squad after injuries to Beckham and Butt. In the end, I chose David Noble of Arsenal. Although he has only played in a handful of games for Arsenal this season, he has scored in every one of them. With another 5 Arsenal teammates in the team, I think he would be able to settle down quickly.

51,000 spectators thronged the National Stadium in Lisbon. Both teams started the match offensively and it was an exciting first 10 minutes. Finland had the ball in the net but it was ruled offside. Seconds later, Richard Wright's clearance found Woodgate and he unleashed a shot from outside the box. GOAL! What a way to score his first goal for England. England continued to pile on the pressure, but Kujala nearly had a chance to score in the 18th minute but Wright brilliantly kept it out. The loose ball fell to Smith who dribbled his way through the midfield before hitting a 25-yard ball for Owen. Owen controlled the ball well before firing hard and low. GOAL! The start of the second half saw us having the upper hand with the 2-goal cushion. David Noble didn't waste his opportunity when it mattered the most in the 53rd minute after collecting a rebound from Owen. GOAL! 3 minutes later, Kujala scored to keep Finland within reach. He doubled that tally in the 59th minute. Truthfully, I didn't expect Noble to perform that well in his first full match for England. But he actually did when he scored his second and England's fourth in the 69th minute after collecting a pass from Gerard. 3 minutes later, Alan Smith had the final say by scoring. 5-2 for England and we have won the European Championship Cup! Owen shared the Golden Boot award with Jussi Kujala of Finland with 6 goals apiece.[ScreenShot]