THE success of last year's Olympic Games has undoubtedly fostered a mood of confidence and contentment in Athens, but the surprise success of Greece's footballers at Euro 2004 has had just as lasting an impact upon the city's sporting image.

The moment an English accent is heard in any bar, Greeks flock to extol the virtues of the sporting gods that were crowned in Lisbon's Stadium of Light last summer.

The passion and pride remains undimmed and, while England's fans travel to any major tournament expecting success, the impact of Greece's win seems to have been heightened because July's triumph was both unexpected and unplanned.

Posters continue to adorn walls, flags continue to flutter from rooftops and, while more than seven months have passed since Portugal were brushed aside, you get the feeling that most Greeks still can't really comprehend that their football side are European champions.

They make sure you know about it though and, after learning that the travelling press pack are in Athens to watch Newcastle, one name constantly comes to the fore.

Former United centre-half Nicos Dabizas remains something of a fans' favourite on Tyneside, but he is equally as popular in his homeland, thanks to his numerous impressive displays for both the Greek national side and tonight's opponents, Olympiacos.

The defender is still playing in England of course, for Championship side Leicester, but he has admitted that appearing in tonight's game would have made his career complete.

"I just wish the tie had come two years ago," he said. "When I was playing for Newcastle and we were in the UEFA Cup or Champions League, I used to pray for this tie. It has come too late for me though.

"I still have friends at Newcastle and I still have my house in the city which I love to go to. But I also have friends at Olympiacos as well. I don't know what will happen but my heart will be split - one half will be black and white, the other half will be red and white."

Newcastle will be hoping to keep things tight this evening but, if they succeed, it will not be the first time the British have mounted a rearguard action in the port of Piraeus.

In 1849, British citizen Don Pacifico was attacked after attempting, with other Jews, to prevent the traditional Easter Monday burning of an effigy of Judas in Psyrri Square.

The attack provoked a massive diplomatic stand-off and, under the leadership of Palmerston, the British Government dispatched a fleet to blockade Piraeus.

Britain and France blockaded the port again five years later, and this action lasted for more than three years as the two countries punished Greece for supporting Russia in the Crimean War.

There has been no Greece lightning during the last two days, but Newcastle's players were almost hit by an Athenian tornado when they landed on Tuesday night.

Upon hitting the runway, the pilot casually pointed out a cyclonic whirlwind less than two miles away from the plane's right wing.

Graeme Souness has no control over his players' reading material while they are away on foreign trips, but the Newcastle boss might be vetting their choice of magazine rather more carefully next time. At least two players have been reading the latest edition of "Four Four Two" - a football magazine in which Barcelona midfielder Deco reveals Souness refused to sign him during his time at Benfica, instead recruiting Mike Marsh and Michael Thomas!