Portugal: senior incentive

By Diogo Teixeira

The Portuguese have a superb pedigree in youth competitions, having collected nine trophies at various age groups since 1989, but they have never won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Four days before their country hosts the opening game of UEFA EURO 2004™, the U21 side hope to make amends in Bochum and give the senior side a huge boost.

Remarkable fightback
Portugal qualified for Germany after a spectacular win against 2002 runners-up France in the play-offs, conjuring up a remarkable fightback to overcome the French 4-1 on penalties in the second leg, after a 2-1 first-leg defeat on home soil in Guimarães.

Turkish trouble
The Portuguese arrived at the play-offs after a second-placed finish in qualifying Group 7, ending up four points behind Turkey. José Romão's side won six matches, defeating England, Slovakia and F.Y.R. Macedonia twice, but lost both their encounters with the Turkey.

Holders eliminated
Portugal will face Germany, Switzerland and Sweden in Group B during the finals. The Portuguese will have to play their best football to beat the hosts and Switzerland, the surprise package who eliminated holders the Czech Republic in the play-offs. Portugal's 4-1 friendly victory against Sweden in February will give Romão's team hope.

Olympic aim
"This is a strong group but our team is strong too", said Romão after the draw was made. Portugal's main goal is to win a place in the semi-finals and ensure their presence at the Olympics [by finishing at least third]. "Since we qualified our objective is to ensure a place in Athens. We faced very strong teams like Turkey, England and France in the qualifiers and the players showed their value, so I expect the same in the finals."

Scuppered by Scolari
Romão's plans have been hindered by Luiz Felipe Scolari poaching several key players for the senior side, including Manchester United FC's Cristiano Ronaldo, SL Benfica's Tiago and Hélder Postiga of Tottenham Hotspur FC. The U21 coach also has to contend with serious injuries to Ariza Makukula and Ricardo Quaresma that rule them out. Makukula tore a ligament in his right knee in February and will not be fit in time for the finals, while Quaresma broke a bone in his right foot during FC Barcelona's game against RCD Espanyol at the beginning of May.

Viana included
With the attacking trio of Ronaldo, Hélder Postiga and Quaresma all missing, Cândido Costa, Hugo Almeida and Lourenço da Silva should feature prominently in attack, supported by Newcastle United FC's Hugo Viana, who had been hopeful of a place in the EURO 2004™ squad. "I was mentally prepared to be in the U21 squad so I'm ready to help," insisted Viana. "Now we have to study the other teams. We weren’t lucky in 2002 - I hope this time is different."

For profile of coach José Romão click here