Scolari sets sights on Spanish

Intriguing game

Scolari content
Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was content with the draw, especially given the strength of the sides involved. "You cannot choose your opponents and we cannot say that any here are worse than the others. We have to accept the teams included in our group. We are in the middle of 16 great teams and our aim is to get as far as we can and ultimately win the championship. That is what we are here for."

Focus needed
However, Scolari added that his team would need "a different attitude" after playing only friendly matches in the run-up to the finals. Scolari was not worried about the match against neighbours Spain, despite their status as one of the pre-tournament favourites. He said: "I have to treat Spain like the other teams. I have to think of Greece and Russia first because we play them first. I like the order of the matches being like this." He added that he knew a lot about Greece after a 1-1 draw against them earlier this month.

Cautious mood
Of the meeting, which will be the tournament opener, Scolari added: "We are going to start in the wonderful Dragão stadium in which we played a great game against Brazil when we beat them [2-1 in March 2003]. So we have a path and let's keep our feet on the ground and hopefully we will get there."

Happy as outsiders
The Greeks were delighted to be involved in the opening fixture although their German coach Otto Rehhagel was aware it will be a tough proposition. "We are here as outsiders and we are not uncomfortable with that," he said. "We know outsiders have a chance and we think we might benefit from that position. We want to take that opportunity. We are very proud to play the hosts in the first match and I just know that this group will produce a very good football spectacle for everyone."

Fair chance
Russia coach Georgi Yartsev was equally positive about the draw and conscious that his side would not be among the favourites. "I am very proud to be here in the draw which means the finals of the [UEFA] European Championship. We are with three great teams all coached by three great coaches. I think Russia have a fair chance to qualify. We will try our best."

Good possibilities
Spain, like Portugal, will be tipped by many to go all the way and their coach Iñaki Sáez was still confident of the 1964 winners' prospects after today's draw. "I think of all four groups this is one of the most balanced ones," he said. "We have to fight a lot and it will be a hell of a fight to get into those top two qualification places. I think all the four teams have very good possibilities to go through."

Click here for a full Group A match schedule.