Giorgos Karagounis on Greece Euros win, working with Claudio Ranieri & favourite English stadium

Receiving a record 139 international caps for his country and part of the team which shocked the world by winning Euro 2004, Giorgos Karagounis is widely regarded as one of the best Greek footballers of all time.

Karagounis spoke exclusively to bet365 to discuss Greece's famous Euros triumph as well as delve into some of his other most memorable moments during his illustrious playing career.

'An unforgettable summer'

It would be fair to say Greece entered Euro 2004 in Portugal with tempered expectations, with Karagounis and Co. the first Greek squad since 1980 to compete in the tournament.

Karagounis said: "For us players, it was an honour to even play at Euro 2004. That was our only initial objective.

"We wanted to take it match by match and we knew all the eyes were on the opening game [against hosts Portugal]."

Although Greece were able to pull off a shock 2-1 win over Portugal in the opening match of Euro 2004, with Karagounis scoring the first goal of the tournament with a terrific effort from outside of the box, it was not until following a sensational 1-0 quarter-final victory over holders France when Otto Rehhagel's side began to truly believe they could win their country's first major trophy.

"When we beat France, we realised we could do something special, but we had nothing but respect for the other teams remaining in the tournament," said Karagounis.

"When you beat a team with Zinedine Zidane, who had won the World Cup in 1998, you believe you can go all the way."

Although Karagounis was unfortunately suspended for the final against Portugal, the celebrations back in his homeland following Greece's 1-0 win will forever be etched in his memory.

"The celebrations were incredible, there were three million people on the roads, at the airport, at the Panathinaikos Stadium," he said.

"We couldn't leave for hours, it was an unforgettable summer."

Managers, teammates & stadiums

After hanging up his boots following Greece's elimination to Costa Rica on penalties in the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup, Karagounis agreed to work on the coaching staff of new national team boss Claudio Ranieri, a manager he has the utmost respect for.

"Mr Ranieri is a wonderful person," said Karagounis.

"He had an amazing career - in Rome and with his historic victory with Leicester.

"He is an incredible manager that I'll love forever, I have a great relationship with the coach."

As far as Karagounis' former teammates are concerned, there are a number which stand out in his mind.

The Greek icon said: "In the national team there was Kostas Katsouranis, Angelos Basinas, Giourkas Seitaridis, Theodoros Zagorakis, Angelos Charisteas and Traianos Dellas, they were good everywhere.

"At club level, Adriano and Juan Sebastian Veron were both incredible at Inter."

Karagounis also spoke of his enjoyment playing in English football for Fulham between 2012 and 2014, citing one ground in particular as his favourite away venue in the Premier League.

"The atmospheres in England were great, I think Anfield is one of the best in Europe.

"It is a stadium that feels warm, you can't play there enough."

Although he relished the opportunity to play in big derby matches overseas at clubs in Italy, Portugal and England, Karagounis describes the passion for football in his homeland of Greece as unique thanks to one club fixture in particular.

"The derby matches I played in for Inter against Milan and Juventus and for Benfica against Sporting and Porto were memorable, but for Greeks the emotion is different for Panathinakos v Olympiacos," Karagounis said.

World Cup hopes for Greece

Looking ahead to the future, Greece's all-time appearance holder is hopeful the national team can return to their former heights having last participated at a major tournament back at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

"Greece have to get back into the habit of doing good things," said Karagounis.

"After 2004, until 2014, we were ranked eighth in the world by FIFA for many years.

"The prospects of the current team have to improve and the goals should be higher. They should look to progress into the knockout stages of the Euros and World Cups.

Karagounis believes Greece's strong showing in the 2024/25 Nations League - in which they won five of six matches including a memorable 2-1 victory over England at Wembley - displays the potential of the current team managed by Serb Ivan Jovanovic.

"The talent they have shown is promising, but it's now about qualifying for the World Cup and Euros, as this is what really matters," said Karagounis.

One nation standing in Greece's way of the World Cup next year is Scotland, with the Greeks set to face Steve Clarke's side on four occasions in this calendar year - twice in the Nations League A/B play-offs and twice in World Cup qualifying.

Karagounis is expecting close tussles between the two nations over the course of 2025.

"Scotland are a good team with a good mentality and they will fight to the end," he said.

"They are a difficult team to play against, but I think Greece have more talent.

"Talent can mean everything or nothing though because Scotland will fight. They make it hard for any opponent and these matches will be tough for both sides."