JERSEY’S Portuguese community may have endured a Greek tragedy as a result of last night’s Euro 2004 football final, but spirits were still high.
Between 200 and 300 Portugal fans took to the streets of St Helier to celebrate their team getting to the final in Lisbon, despite their 1-0 defeat.
Fans danced in the streets, car horns were tooted, flags were waved, whistles were blown and faces were painted - but in some cases the face paint was smeared with tears.
Although there was a large police presence in town, it was a trouble-free night.
In St Aubin there were Greek celebrations centred around Le Petit Greek Taverne.
A small party of fans danced in the streets to enjoy their country’s first ever major championship victory.
Before this tournament, Greece had never won a single match in any major tournament.
Greece fan Michael Zenonos was with seven family members watching the match in St Helier.
‘What a wonderful result! What a great performance!’ he said.
And there were more reasons to celebrate than most today.
‘I was in Athens five weeks ago and a taxi driver I spoke to told me that we were going to win,’ he said.
Article posted on 5th July, 2004 - 12.00am
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