Scolari calls up Quaresma

Sporting Clube de Portugal winger Quaresma is set to make his first international appearance after being included in Luiz Felipe Scolari's 21-man Portugal squad for the friendly international against Bolivia.

Two games
Scolari has named a squad for two matches, against Paraguay on 6 June and Bolivia four days later, but Quaresma, SL Benfica midfield player Tiago and Newcastle United FC's Hugo Viana will only play in the second of these fixtures. The three will play for the Under-21 side against F.Y.R. Macedonia on the day of the Paraguay match, and will join the senior squad after the game.

Maniche retained
After being called up for last month's visit to the Netherlands, FC Porto midfield player Maniche keeps his place in the squad. Hélder Postiga, Jorge Andrade and Paulo Ferreira all return to the party, although Benfica's Miguel and Nuno Gomes are both ruled out through injury.

Scolari praise
Scolari used the opportunity to congratulate the Portugal Under-17 squad on their recent capture of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship, and also praised Porto, who defeated Celtic FC in last week's UEFA Cup final, and Rui Costa, who was part of the AC Milan side that won the UEFA Champions League on Wednesay night.

'All the conditions'
"Portugal have every opportunity to enjoy a great [UEFA] EURO 2004™," he said, before going on to single out the 19-year-old Quaresma for special praise "He's a excellent player, he has played some great games and it's important for him to adapt to this group," the Portugal coach said.

Portugal squad
Ricardo, Quim, Couto, Beto, Rui Jorge, Paulo Ferreira, Meira, Rogério Matias, Jorge Andrade, Rui Costa, Sérgio Conceição, Deco, Maniche, Luís Loureiro, Quaresma, Viana, Figo, Simão, Tiago, Pauleta, Hélder Postiga.