Greece hero Angelos Haristeas said his side deserved their shock 1-0 victory over reigning champions France to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2004 football championship on Friday.

Haristeas rose unchallenged to power a header past French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez from six metres in the 65th minute. His goal turned out to be the match-winner.

"Tonight we really showed what we can do," said Haristeas, who headed the winner after 65 minutes.

"We played the best team in the world and we beat them.

"We've shown Greece deserves to be exactly where it is. This had nothing to do with luck. Now we have to calm down and see what the stage brings.

"We've made it here. Now everything is possible."

French coach Jacques Santini said the defeat was a big disappointment.

"We weren't thinking clearly towards the end of the match," he said. "We were just rushing forward and that was not the best way to go about it.

"It's a big disappointment. We had hoped to get to the final."