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Greece Captures 2 Spots in AP Sports Poll


trifilli

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How much better can it get :tup:

Associated Press

Greece proved the big winner in international sports in 2004, with two great triumphs few expected.

The country's stunning run to the title in the European soccer championship and the overwhelming success of the Athens Olympics a month later finished Nos. 1 and 2 in a poll of the top sports stories, voted on by Associated Press members outside the United States. Lance Armstrong's sixth straight victory in the Tour de France was third.

Greece, which had never won a game in a major soccer championship, overcame 100-1 odds to win Euro 2004. The Greeks, coached by 65-year-old German Otto Rehhagel, upset defending champion France in the quarterfinals and beat host Portugal in the final.

The soccer title received 10 first-place votes and a total of 444 points in the AP poll of more than 70 AP subscriber sports editors and broadcasters outside the United States. Voters listed their top 10 stories, with 10 points for first place, nine points for second, etc.

Greece was still celebrating when the Olympics started on time. After years of concerns over construction delays, cost overruns and terrorist threats, the Athens Games went off without a hitch. At the closing ceremony, IOC president Jacques Rogge thanked Greece for putting on "unforgettable, dream games."

The Olympic success attracted the most first-place votes (21) but still finished a distant second with 310 points. The race for third place was extremely close, with Armstrong edging Michael Schumacher's record 13 Formula One Grand Prix victories, 259-257. Armstrong received four first-place votes, Schumacher none.

:gr: :gr: :gr:

PEACE

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