LITTLE Bolton midfielder Stelios says that football is the oxygen of his life.

But he was gasping for breath in Portugal last night as the remarkable Greek odyssey in the European championships saw them beat the Czech Republic in Oporto to book a totally unexpected final with the host nation on Sunday.

Athens-born Stelios, 30 on Monday week, will face Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo in the final.

Curiously, they also faced each other on their debuts for their new clubs in the first game of last season when United won 4-0.

Stelios was a Greek hero even before Euro 2004 and he modestly ducked the question last season when I asked him if he enjoyed David Beckham-style status in Athens.

Likeable

But the likeable little guy has topped the Reebok popularity polls with his effort and uncomplaining willingness to take the punishment handed out in the Premiership.

One of his first moves, which endeared him to the Press and the lady who puts the names on shirts, was to say: `Call me Stelios.' His surname is Giannakopoulos but the Premiership granted the club's request for him to use his first name.

He won seven Greek championships on the bounce and played regular Champions League for Olympiakos before his move to Bolton, a move he took gladly because he wanted a new challenge.

Now Stelios has got another challenge that could never have occurred in his wildest dreams.

He had missed the previous two games through injury and got into the action last night only as a 71st minute substitute. But he soon made an impact with a sweetly-delivered right-wing corner that was headed over.

German coach Otto Rehhagel pushed him into a more forward role in extra time and Stelios forced a great save from Petr Cech with a 12-yard header before having a close-in shot blocked a minute later.

Follower

He is a firm disciple of Rehhagel, admitting that while Greek players had the skills they lacked organisation and discipline until the German took over.

Family man Stelios carried his son into the post-match interview when he referred to the oxygen-sapping drama of the game.

He said: "It was terrific. Unbelievable. It was a brilliant day.

"It's like we are sleeping and don't want to wake up. We are living in a dream.

"I had a couple of chances in extra time but I was a bit unlucky."

His big day on Sunday will be in contrast to that of his Bolton colleagues, who will be at a pre-season training camp in an Italian mountain resort.