Dutch to get friendly with Portugal

The Netherlands are to play Portugal, the hosts of UEFA EURO 2004™, in Eindhoven on 30 April as part of both nations' pre-tournament preparations.

Losing semi-finalists
Both the Dutch and the Portuguese made it to the last four of the previous UEFA European Championship, losing respectively to Italy and France. Although the two never met in the Low Countries, their paths crossed in qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Portugal winning the section ahead of the Republic of Ireland.

Impressive win
Yet the Dutch have regrouped since their failure to reach Korea/Japan and have won both of their EURO 2004™ qualifying matches to date, 3-0 victories against Belarus and, more impressively, Austria in Vienna. By the time Dick Advocaat's side tackle Portugal they will have also played the Czech Republic and Moldova.

Italy next
Portugal, who have qualified automatically for the tournament as hosts, are playing a series of friendly internationals. The latest of which will take place tomorrow against Italy in Genoa, the same day as the Netherlands meet Argentina, a repeat of the 1978 World Cup final, in Amsterdam.

Return leg
As part of the arrangement the Dutch will travel to Portugal at a date to be arranged for a return friendly before the tournament begins. Meanwhile, Manuel Mourato Quaresma has been appointed general secretary of the Portuguese Football Federation. He replaces António Sequeira who vacated the post for health reasons.