After all the bad news about the preparations for the Olympics in Athens this year the silver goal he scored to oust the more skilful and dominant Czechs gave the Greek press a wonderful diversion.

The back page of 'Ethnos' confirmed that Dellas' first goal for his country had earned him the right to be named after one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

"The Colossus of Rhodes (the Greek island where he was born) who drove the Greeks to Paradise!". The newspaper publishes the quote fromn the 'golden player' that 'God had answered his prayers'.

Most of the national papers bedecked their front pages in the colours of the national team - blue and white - and 'Eleftheros Typos' for one didn't miss a chance to plaster their headlines with hyperbole.

"The silver goal sent the whole world delirious," it screamed while in contrast to the joy of the victors they also published a small photograph of veteran Czech fullback Karel Poborsky on his knees with his head in his hands, as his chances of a second Euro final disappeared and at 32 probably the last opportunity.

Eleftheros Typos declared it a 'victory for the Greek soul' while another paper 'Ta Nea' printed a photo of the team's German coach Otto Rehhagel with his arms spread and declared that he had 'Czech mated' his opposite number Karel Bruckner.

'Ta Nea' does recognise the 'Czechs were technically better but the passion and the will to win were with the Greeks' while adding it was a 'real miracle'.

For 'Eleftherotypia' the team had already reached the 'footballing equivalent of Mount Olympus (seat of the Greek gods)' and urged them on for one last effort: "Why not the title on Sunday?".

"Even the Gods have gone demented," was the headline of 'Ethnos'.

And it went on: "National delirium, all the country is taking a breath before Sunday's final".