Going out with a bang

Carnival atmosphere
The closing ceremony will start at 19.30 when dancers take to the pitch to put on the Pauliteiros de Miranda - a dance typical of Portugal's Minho region - before singer Nelly Furtado's appearance is heralded by a troupe of flag bearers. She will perform the official EURO 2004™ anthem, Força, atop a futuristic caravel as hundreds of balloons are released from the centre circle.

Flag ceremony
When the song is over, the ship will edge its way across the pitch and the flag ceremony will begin. Each standard represents one of the 16 EURO 2004™ nations, and with the two finalists' flags planted in the centre circle and the caravel sailing into the tunnel, the stage will be set for the teams to enter. The crowd will play an active role by waving their scarves and the cloths that have been placed under each of the Estádio da Luz's 65,000 seats.

Award ceremony
When the final is over, a podium will be brought on to the pitch and the presentation ceremony will commence, with UEFA President Lennart Johansson and Chief Executive Lars-Christer Olsson giving out the medals. After the losing team and referees are awarded medals and commemorative plaques respectively, the winners will take to the podium and the captain will be handed the Henri Delaunay Cup.

Appropriate setting
This moment will be greeted with a shower of confetti and streamers and while the winners take their lap of honour, a curtain of silver stars and gold streamers will fall from the roof of the stadium as a firework and laser show provides a fitting backdrop to the crowning of the new European champions.