Eusébio has no doubts

Home factor
The former goalscoring hero of SL Benfica and the Portuguese national team is hoping that, with the backing of a whole nation behind them, the Selecção will now take the final step and win a first major trophy. "The home factor is very important," said Eusébio. "It's a final and there will be a huge crowd, not only Portuguese but Greek fans also. But it is a big help, of course. I've always believed Portugal would do it."

Patience required
With 12,000 tickets allocated to Greece, there should be more than 50,000 Portugal fans inside the Estádio da Luz but Eusébio warned the home supporters might need to be patient. Greece have impressed with their teamwork and solid defending which "could be a problem" for Portugal.

Hoping for victory
"We've got past Spain, Russia, England, the Netherlands and now we must overcome the Greeks," said Eusébio, who was speaking in his capacity as a MasterCard ambassador. "I hope for a good game with goals - in Greece's net, of course - and a victory for Portugal.

Counterattack threat
"The opening minutes will be very important to see how the two teams will approach the game," he added. "The Greeks play a very tight, closed system, they are very defensive and this could be a problem. We will have to be very patient. We will need to keep hold of the ball as they are very dangerous on the counterattack."

'Great coach'
If Portugal do win, their coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, will become the first coach to follow up a FIFA World Cup triumph by winning the UEFA European Championship two years later. Eusébio, the top scorer at the 1966 World Cup, said of the Brazilian: "Scolari has already proved he is a great coach. He won the World Cup with Brazil, and tonight, God willing, he will become a European champion with Portugal. I hope he will give the Portuguese people this moment of joy."