Sixteen teams took part in the tournament staged in Portugal – and Greece were 15th favourites to win it given they were taking part in their first Euros in 24 years and just a second ever.
Only minnows Latvia were seen as less likely winners of the Henri Delaunay trophy in 2004.
What followed was akin to a footballing miracle.
Twelve years earlier, Denmark, who had not even qualified for Euro 92, upset the odds to capitalise on their late reprieve courtesy of Yugoslavia’s expulsion and, as celebrated a success as that was, it was an eight-team tournament in those days.
This was different. Defending champions France with Zidane and Henry, Germany with Ballack and Klose, Spain with Xavi and Raul, and England with Beckham and Rooney were all there.
That is not to mention the Greeks’ first opponents and hosts, who were much fancied to win on home soil with Ronaldo, Figo and Costa in tow.
This meant nothing to Renhagel. Greece stunned the locals with a 2-1 win in Porto on the opening night and, while they had to make do with second spot behind them at the end of the group stage, their party was only just beginning.
They did not exactly excite the neutrals with the style in which they went about it, but France and Czech Republic were dispatched in their quarter-final and semi-final, respectively, before a rematch against the Portuguese in Lisbon in the showpiece. Surely lightning wouldn’t strike twice?
Step forward Angelos Charisteas, who wrote his name into history with the only goal to inspire scenes of jubilation, not least amongst the 100,000 who spilled on to Athens’ Omonia Square that evening.
Greek ex-pats across the world stopped traffic and partied long into the night and Renhagel was the mastermind behind it. He was a German, but he was also now a Greek god.
They won each of their knock-out games 1-0, including the only ever use of the “silver goal” rule, when they beat the Czechs in that semi.
“The Greeks have made football history. It’s a sensation,” Renhagel said. And it was.
“King Otto’s” reign continued until 2010 and it has been a rollercoaster for Greece ever since as they prepare to welcome Steve Clarke’s Scotland to Pireaus for the first leg of their Nations League play-off on Thursday.
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