Otto Rehhagel admitted Saturday that it would have taken a miracle for Greece to successfully defend the European Championship title they so sensationally won in Portugal four years ago. ( dpa )
"One time in 2004, there was a miracle," he said after his side's 1-0 defeat to Russia, which guaranteed Greece's elimination from Euro 2008.
"Such a thing happens maybe every 30 years. It doesn't happen every two weeks. That's why it's called a miracle."
Rehhagel refused to comment on whether he would continue on as Greek coach in the wake of his side's second defeat in succession.
"We have been eliminated but we have a (final Group D) game against Spain and we have a duty to apply ourselves to the this task," he said.
When asked about his future, Rehhagel merely laughed:
"You will write what you want," he said. "The Acropolis is 2,000 years old. In 200 years we will be all gone and it will still be here."