LITTLE concern was expressed by Luiz Felipe Scolari when it was pointed out to the Portugal head coach that Markus Merk, the referee for the European Championship final last night, happened to be Otto Rehhagel’s dentist. It should have done. As the host nation’s media speculated on a juicy little German conspiracy, Rehhagel was plotting how to pull some teeth of his own.

Greece have ground their way to glory, driving France, the Czech Republic and Portugal (twice) to utter distraction. While the galácticos have tumbled from the heavens in this tournament, the grinders have replaced them in the firmament, claiming a first trophy shortly after claiming their first win in a leading tournament. It has been harsh, ugly and admirably effective.

For Rehhagel, it has been a personal triumph. After disposing of the Czechs in the semi-final, “King Otto” had permitted his squad two glasses of wine and his quirkiness has become such a towering strength that a bottle of retsina could not be found in Lisbon last night. Historians groped for some perspective, but even Denmark’s improbable success at Euro 92 faded into insignificance.

The viewing was often unbearable, but the one team in the tournament defined by their desire, work ethic and mediocrity were appropriate victors. After Angelos Charisteas scored the only goal, the tears shed here were not just of sadness; some poured out in disbelief.

Providing a spectacle was just about last on Greece’s list of priorities, nestling beside flamboyance, fluency and creativity. The effect was suffocating. Three members of Rehhagel’s defence were given man-marking duties and Traianos Dellas, the fourth, cheerily clattered into any stray Portuguese who managed to unclamp themselves. Sometimes, they even remembered that kicking was not restricted to fellow professionals and passed the ball, but bruising egos and bodies has been the story of their tournament and their feistiness is commendable.

Their supporters were extraordinary, bopping on their feet throughout the match and singing with relentless energy. Their presence was reason enough to cheer. Their presence was the only reason to cheer. At the end of a first half that was the visual equivalent of fingernails screeching down a blackboard, Greece neglected to amass a shot on target; at one stage, they may have crossed the halfway line.

Such had been the policy for the semi-final victory over the Czechs; time the exuberance for the exact moment when Iberia was gently nodding off. With three quarters of the Stadium of Light crammed with Portugal fans, there was little chance of the same last night, but Rehhagel’s tactics largely remained the same. Greece sat back so deeply that they were virtually paddling in the Atlantic Ocean.

Yet rigorous organisation and firm discipline have won Rehhagel belated converts back in Germany. While the 65-year-old has claimed the Bundesliga title three times, he was ridiculed for a hapless season at Bayern Munich, but now the appraisal is changing. Since Ottmar Hitzfeld refused the opportunity to succeed Rudi Völler as the Germany head coach, Rehhagel has emerged as a favoured candidate and shaping a motley, patchy collection of players into a knitted unit is certainly a quality that the Nationalmannschaft requires in abundance. A leading German commentator said that his appointment would “set Germany back 20 years” — for Greece, it has led to a sudden and rampant overachievement.

The trend continued. In the 57th minute, a driven corner from Angelos Basinas was headed in powerfully by Charisteas. Portugal yearned for a moment of such clarity. A squad player at Werder Bremen, Charisteas, 24, had scored the first goal against England in a World Cup qualifying fixture in 2001. Few inside Old Trafford that day would recall it; not when David Beckham scored the dramatic equaliser. The 2-2 draw now seems respectable.

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