20 years ago, in 2004, football experienced an unusual year. In various championships around the world, the champions were completely unexpected, overthrowing favorite teams and selections.
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Index
Porto Champions League winner 2003/2004
Porto is a traditional team in the European scene, being the second biggest Portuguese champion. However, in the 2004 Champions League, what caught the most attention in the biggest club tournament in the world was the final against Monaco, which reached the final for the first and only time in its history.
Both teams knocked out giants along the way, with extensive tradition in the competition such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, among others.
The Champions League title with Porto finally showed the world who José Mourinho was. From then on, the Portuguese began to win various titles and establish himself as one of the best coaches of his generation, leaving his mark in history.
In the final, José Mourinho’s team put on a show and defeated Monaco 3-0, with a stellar performance from Carlos Alberto and Deco. The naturalized Portuguese midfielder, in fact, was elected the best player of the competition.
Photo: UEFA.com
Valencia La Liga and UEFA Cup champion
Valencia was twice runner-up in the Champions League, against Real Madrid in the 1999/2000 season and against Bayern Munich in the 2000/2001 edition. In 2004, it was Valencia’s turn to celebrate as the team won the national championship and the UEFA Cup.
Valencia was an underdog in the fight for the Spanish Championship, competing with the Galácticos of Real Madrid and Barcelona with Ronaldinho Gaúcho, the best player in the world that year.
In just 10 days, Valencia made history. First, by defeating none other than Real Madrid and Barcelona with an impeccable campaign to celebrate the Spanish Championship title, and then by winning the UEFA Cup by defeating Olympique de Marseille 2-0 at Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg.
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Photo: Disclosure/Valencia CF
Once Caldas Libertadores champion
Once Caldas made its mark in history in 2004, winning the biggest tournament in the Americas. The good defense, almost impassable, was the main characteristic of that surprising Colombian team.
In the knockout stages, it dispatched continental giants until clinching the title. In the round of 16, it eliminated Barcelona from Guayaquil, which already had 2 finals in its curriculum. In the quarterfinals, it eliminated Santos, the runner-up the previous year.
In the semifinal, it was time to overthrow São Paulo, which already had 2 Libertadores titles and would win its third in 2005. In the grand final, it defeated Boca Juniors on penalties, a team that was experiencing hegemony on the continent.
In the Club World Cup, Once Caldas drew 0-0 with Porto for 120 minutes and only in the penalty shootout, by a score of 8-7, the Portuguese became world champions.
Photo: Reproduction
Santo André Copa do Brasil champion
Santo André, a small team from the state of São Paulo, defeated the powerful Flamengo in the final of the Copa do Brasil in 2004.
In the previous year, it won the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior undefeated, earned promotion to Serie B, and won the Copa Paulista, which granted a spot in the Copa do Brasil the following year.
In the Copa do Brasil, it surpassed giants like Atlético-MG and Palmeiras to face Flamengo in the grand final. In the first leg, playing at home, Santo André fell behind, turned it around to 2-1, but conceded a late equalizer at 2-2.
In the return leg, the stage was Maracanã, and Santo André, led by Péricles Chamusca, silenced over 70 thousand Flamengo fans. The modest team defeated the giant 2-0, with goals from Sandro Gaúcho and Élvis.
Photo: Cezar Loureiro / Agência O Globo
Greece European Championship winner
For the first time, Portugal hosted the European Championship, and the fans were very excited, as they had a star-studded squad and had Felipão, the coach who won the World Cup in 2002 with Brazil.
The finalists of the 2004 European Championship were in the same group. Portugal was defeated by Greece in the first match of the competition, but advanced in first place, while the Greeks finished in second.
In the quarterfinals, Greece eliminated France, the current European champion at that time, winning the match 1-0 with a goal from Charisteas.
In the semifinal, they faced the Czech Republic, which had a 100% record with 4 games and 4 victories. The tournament had a rule called “golden goal,” which would give the victory to the team leading at halftime of extra time. With that, Dellas scored Greece’s goal with two seconds left, securing the historic qualification of the national team to the Euro final.
In the grand final, Greece and Portugal faced each other again. The Portuguese had a star-studded squad, with Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco, and were the clear favorites.
In the game, Greece defended in every way and won with the solitary goal of the match at the 12th minute of the second half, scored by Charisteas, with his head again.
Photo: GettyImages
São Caetano Paulista champion
Currently, São Caetano is going through a gloomy period in its history, having been relegated to Serie A4, the last division of the Campeonato Paulista. However, in the early 21st century, the ABC Paulista team experienced great moments and made its mark in the most important tournaments in Brazil and America.
In 2000 and 2001, it was the runner-up in the Brasileirão, and in 2002, it was a finalist in the Libertadores, losing on penalties to Olímpia.
In 2004, redemption came for São Caetano. Led by Muricy Ramalho, it won the Campeonato Paulista against Paulista de Jundiaí. In the knockout stage, both teams eliminated Palmeiras, São Paulo, and Santos.
In the final, São Caetano comfortably defeated Paulista de Jundiaí. In the first leg, playing away, it won 3-1, and in the return leg, it won 2-0.
Middlesbrough League Cup champion
After 128 years since its foundation, Middlesbrough won its first significant title in 2004. The squad featured Juninho Paulista, one of the greatest players in the club’s history, who was chosen as the best player in the Premier League in the 1996/1997 season, even though he was relegated with the club to the second division that season, competing with Chelsea’s Zola for the journalists’ preference at the time.
In the campaign for the League Cup, Boro surpassed very traditional teams in England, eliminating Everton and Tottenham on penalties.
In the semifinal, they faced Arsenal, who would be the undefeated Premier League champion that year. Arsenal played both games with an alternate team, as they focused on the English league, thus Middlesbrough won both matches and advanced to the final.
In the grand final, they played against Bolton and were already leading 2-0 within 7 minutes. Bolton pulled one back at the 21st minute, and that’s how the match ended, with the final whistle, allowing Boro fans to finally celebrate their first major title in 128 years of history.
Photo: Pool/Getty
Written by Henry Miller.
