Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos has scolded Portuguese striker Pauleta and French football legend Michel Platini for criticising Euro champions Greece's defensive tactics.

"I want to stress that there was some malice written in foreign newspapers, which came from some important people like the celebrated Platini or mister Pauleta, who asked himself if it was a pity for a team that plays defensively to become European champions," Stephanopoulos said during an official reception for the team and German coach Otto Rehhagel.

"Let's answer Mr. Pauleta and all the others who accuse the team of allegedly playing defensively, that whoever wins, wins, and whoever loses, loses -- let's be clear on that," the Greek President thundered.

"It is regrettable that a team that does nothing but defends ends up as European champion," striker Pauleta moaned after the tournament hosts lost 1-0 to Greece in Sunday's final.

"The team prevented the other sides' strikers from scoring. If this is a bad thing, or a sin, then it's the other teams who didn't play well," Stephanopoulos said.

"You played in a way that brought victory."

Rehhagel also defended his team, saying they played "controlled offensive".

"If the other teams had such great players, then they should have put five goals against us," said Rehhagel who believes the Greek team-spirit defeated their rivals.

"Ronaldo is a great footballer, but on an individual level," the German coach said of Portugal's Manchester United winger.