Up-and-downer sure to be up for it

Paddy Agnew traces the rise of Theo Zagorakis from a reserve-team footballing journeyman in England to hero of Greece's Euro 2004 campaign

Leicester City fans who tuned in for the opening game at Euro 2004 were probably pinching themselves when they heard UEFA's technical team had selected Greek midfielder Theo Zagorakis for the tournament's first man-of-the-match award. Wasn't he, they may have wondered, that "up-and-downer" who used to play for us when we twice won the League Cup under Martin O'Neill?

Indeed he was. Not only that, but in those far-off days between 1997 and 2000, Zagorakis was not even certain of a first-team place at Leicester; the Greek captain occasionally played in FA Premier Reserve League South matches.

Coming into these finals, not many of us stopped to analyse the Greek captain as we polished off profiles on Francesco Totti, Raul, Michael Ballack, et al. In tournament guides, he was generally dismissed as Greece's "hardworking captain and most-capped player". In other words, he was destined for a bit part in a movie spectacular dominated by such as Alessandro Del Piero, Fernando Morientes and Bernd Schneider.

As he leads Greece out to face France in tonight's second quarter-final at the Alvalade stadium, Zagorakis could be forgiven for reflecting that, truly, every dog has its day. Totti, Raul and friends are all back home, dodging the airport tomatoes, whilst he stands between Zinedine Zidane's France and a place in the semi-finals.

Zagorakis arrived on the Greek national scene when football was football and minnows knew their place at this level. He was part of the Greek side that featured ignominiously at the 1994 World Cup, losing three out of three (to Argentina, Bulgaria and Nigeria), conceding 10 goals and scoring none.

Even if Greek football has come a long way since then, all logic suggests the Greek run will end tonight. If it does, do not expect Zagorakis or his men to break down in distress. They have outperformed to an extent even Zagorakis could not have expected when saying on the eve of the tournament: "We can promise that we will give everything we've got.We will exceed our limitations. We have to show that we don't let our fans down."

Just at the moment, the fans are not complaining. Back home in Greece, football fever has broken out in a big way, with some 5,000 fans flying in for tonight's game.

Coming into the tournament, most of us predicted the Greeks would be sent packing after the first phase. We underestimated the extent to which this team embodies the German work ethic imparted by coach Otto Rehhagel. In that sense, no player is more essential to Rehhagel's overall game plan than 92-times-capped, 32-year-old Zagorakis. He is the side's playmaker, ball winner and defensive filter.

Those were the qualities that UEFA's technical committee correctly identified in that shock 2-1 defeat of the host nation, Portugal. Those are the qualities that will be in demand as he attempts to quash messrs Zidane, Makelele, Vieira, et al.

Not that Zagorakis is worried, saying earlier this week: "Whatever else happens, we have already made Greece the talk not just of Europe but of the whole world."

Prior to this tournament, Zagorakis had only made international headlines for the wrong reasons. Twice, three years ago, he failed drugs tests with AEK Athens, testing positive for testosterone. He strenuously pleaded innocence, both times arguing successfully with the help of medical evidence that his body naturally produces an above-normal amount of testosterone.

That aspect of Zagorakis's physiology is reflected in his play; he is an aggressive battler. Greece are almost certain to go out tonight but Zagorakis will ensure they do not do so with a whimper.

Meanwhile, Leicester City fans can only marvel at his improved form, perhaps brought about more than anything else by his club's annual exposure to Europe's best in the Champions League. Whatever the reason, Zagorakis is unlikely to be called an "up-and-downer" ever again.