the elimination against Greece at Euro 2004 had “a terrible impact for the French team”

To evoke the quarter-final of Euro 2004 lost by France against Greece (0-1), is to plunge back into “a bad memory“. Robert Pirès nevertheless accepted the exercise, “because defeat is also part of the game“. While the Blues of Didier Deschamps face Greece, Monday June 19 at the Stade de France, the former tricolor winger (79 caps, 14 goals) returned to this surprise elimination in Lisbon, June 25, 2004. There is almost nineteen years to the day.

Do you remember how you approached this quarter-final?

Robert Pires: Confidence was on our side from the start of the competition as we finished first in our group (ahead of England). We knew we were favorites in this match. Have we approached it well? No, I’m not sure because we fell into the trap the Greeks set for us. We had however been warned by Jacques Santini because they had already done the trick against Portugal in the group stage (2-1 victory).

What memories do you have of the match?

It was complicated, against a team that played very low. We respected that because Greece played with their weapons and because we were among the favorites and we were defending champions. Their goal was not to indulge too much and not to leave space for Tweety [Thierry Henry]. The more the match progressed, the more we realized that it was going to be difficult. We had a few chances but not really great ones. In fact, the Greeks put us to sleep. We got caught on a cross and a header from (Angelos) Charisteas. From there, we thought it was going to be very difficult to come back.

What struck you about the Greeks?

Physically, they were beautiful babies, as they say (laughs). They were really on point, much fresher physically, and with players with a lot of experience like (Georgios) Karagounis or their goalkeeper (Antonis) Nikopolidis.

How did you feel physically after your long season at Arsenal?

I was very happy to be a starter. But I felt that I was a little dull, tired from my long season. On this meeting, I had not been decisive. The only thing that bothered me was that Santini made me play on the right (laughs). When you are used to playing on one side, if you are put on the other side, the marks are no longer the same. I was not on top and I was not in my element.

The appointment of Raymond Domenech, “the worst decision that the Federation has taken”

Do you remember the state of the locker room after the match?

There was not a word, no one had the strength to speak. We were so tired from the event, because physically we left feathers there, and mentally too. We tried to see a bit of the positive aspect by telling ourselves that the holidays and the family were waiting for us. But it was above all a very sad atmosphere in relation to the defeat.

Several players announced their international retirement after this defeat, Jacques Santini was dismissed in stride. Do you remember the impact of this elimination on the Blues?

The impact was terrible for the France team. Players have decided to quit [Bixente Lizarazu, Lilian Thuram, Zinedine Zidane, Claude Makélélé]. The Federation then decided to change, appointing Raymond Domenech as coach. It was catastrophic, the worst decision the Federation has ever made. It was very complicated after 2004, a real black hole for the France team. And it was deep.

What do you think we can expect for tonight’s game?

Watch out for the Greeks, they are second in the group. They have the weapons, physically, they are strong. On tonight’s game, they will play like in 2004, without giving up, closing the spaces. This is a team that will be content to come to the Stade de France to draw. You have to respect that because they are going to play with their weapons. But you will have to be in place and above all be very patient.