Otto Rehhagel's side, who beat 2000 champions France in the quarter-finals, will meet hosts Portugal in Sunday's final in a rematch of the tournament-opening match won by Greece.

With the scores deadlocked, Roma defender Dellas met Vasilios Tsiartas' corner at the near post in the final minute of first-half extra-time and planted a firm header into the net for the former Sheffield United star's first ever goal for his country which took Greece into their first ever final.

Rehhagel could scarcely believe the adventure was continuing especially after the camp had been destabilised by stories over him claiming all the glory, one of the top clubs AEK Athens going bankrupt and the players wanting more than was previously agreed regarding bonuses.

"The fairytale continues. It is unbelievable what my team has achieved today," said the 65-year-old German known as King Otto for his success during a 14-year spell with Werder Bremen.

"In the final against Portugal, who will want to avenge their defeat to us on the opening day, we will be the outsiders again, but in football anything is possible.

"Anyway whatever happens we will be the real winners of Euro 2004."

His Czech counterpart Karel Bruckner reflected on how his side's good habits had lapsed for a second and they had paid for it cruelly.

"It's strange after three years of being a coach and 30 matches we conceded the first goal from a corner kick in the last seconds.

"It just goes to show how dangerous the last minute of matches are," said the 64-year-old, who was experiencing his first defeat in a competitive match in his two-year stewardship.

Attacking midfielder Stylianos Giannakopoulos held his son in his arms and reflected on another miracle.

"It is a terrific way to win, an unbelievable win.

"It's a brilliant day for us and a black day for the Czechs

"It's great, it's a dream, unbelievable. We are sleeping and we don't want to wake up," added the Bolton dynamo, whose son was suitably bedecked in a Bolton shirt.

The Czechs dominated in regulation time, but lost their shape after talismanic captain Pavel Nedved limped off with a knee injury towards the end of the first-half.

The Czechs came within inches of taking the lead in the third minute when Marek Jankulovski's free-kick was flicked on by Jan Koller for his Borussia Dortmund team-mate Tomas Rosicky whose half-volley struck the crossbar.

Greek goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis palmed away Jankulovski's left-footed drive three minutes later as the Czechs kept up the early pressure before Koller went close with a header.

The Greeks played some neat one-touch football but lacked the quality of a Czech team that always looked threatening going forward, with Milan Baros' electric pace proving a real handful.