Semi-final memories: Portugal

Competing in their third semi-final in the last four editions, Portugal have real UEFA European Championship pedigree, but face a stern test if they are to deny Iberian neighbours Spain a second successive showpiece appearance. UEFA.com spoke to three players who featured in semi-finals for the Selecção and asked them to share their memories.

23/06/1984 France 3-2 Portugal (aet) (Marseille)

Chalana: We finished third in 1984 but we could have easily finished second or even first. In that game against France we had a golden chance through Nené to end the match in our favour, but he couldn't find a way to make it 3-1 in extra time. To make things even worse for us France managed to do what we could not and scored. It's still very painful whenever I look at the footage of that game and I always stop the tape of the match after Nené misses our last chance. All the French still tell me it was the best game of the European Championship.

28/06/2000 France 2-1 Portugal (aet) (Brussels)

José Vidigal: That team in 2000 was probably one the of the best that Portugal ever had: great, talented players and great men. We could have made it through to the final, we scored first but it seemed that we were meant to suffer. Every player was a leader in his own way and we had a coach [Humberto Coelho] who gave us maximum freedom and demanded the same from us in terms of responsibility.

30/06/2004 Portugal 2-1 Netherlands (Lisbon)

Maniche: I never imagined that it would be a great goal, but when you take a shot the objective is to score. That's what I tried to do. Fortunately I had luck, which also helps a bit in those circumstances, but [I was thinking about] shooting with conviction. It was a historic moment, not only for me but for the whole team – obviously especially for me it was a very remarkable moment, because I will never forget that goal.