Gallery

Portuguese player Luis Figo arrives at training session at the Academia Sporting, near Lisbon, 10 June 2004 two days before the start of the 2004 European Nations Championship. Portugal will play the opening match against Greece 12 June. Figo has admitted he could retire from international football after Euro 2004 to make way for a new generation of Portugal stars including Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo. AFP PHOTO / Lluis GENE

Portuguese star Luis Figo takes a break during training as the build-up towards the opening match between the hosts and Greece reaches fever pitch. The Real Madrid playmaker has hinted the tournament may be his swansong on the international stage.

Italy's forward Francesco Totti grimaces as he answers journalists' questions during a press conference in Lisbon 10 June 2004. Totti dismissed suggestions that his team-mates were jealous of him after coach Giovanni Trapattoni compared him with legendary Frenchman Michel Platini. AFP PHOTO/ Vincenzo PINTO

Expectations are high for Francesco Totti and Italy as the countdown builds towards their key opening match against Denmark on Monday. Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni has compared the playmaker to France legend Michel Platini.

Referee for the European Nations championship Italian Pierluigi Collina (R) eyes the ball as he runs during a training session with counterparts at Espinho, near Porto, northern Portugal, 10 June 2004. Host Portugal and Greece will play the opening game of the Euro 2004, 12 June in Porto. (others are unidentified)

Widely regarded as the best referee in the game, Italian Pierluigi Collina is in full training for Euro 2004 which gets underway at the weekend. Collina who refereed the 2002 World Cup final will be in charge of the opening match between Portugal and Greece on Saturday.

Bulgarian defender Predrag Pazin enjoys the waves on the beach in Povoa de Varzim, 10 June 2004, ahead of the 2004 European Nations Championship. Bulgaria will play its first Euro 2004 match against Sweden 14 June.

Bulgarian defender Pedrag Pazin gets a taste of the icy Atlantic. The rock solid defender will be hoping to be just as cool when his side takes on Sweden on Monday.

French midfielder Robert Pires (L) and captain Marcel Desailly run during a training session 10 June 2004 in Santo Tirso, some 25 kilometers north of Porto, two days before the start of the 2004 European Nations Championship. France will play its first Euro 2004 match against England 13 June. AFP PHOTO FRANCK FIFE

The French camp would seem to be in fine spirits at Santo Tirso south of Porto as they prepare to meet England on Sunday.

Journalists record England's Ledley King during a mixed zone interview session at the England training camp, near Lisbon 10 June 2004. Speculation surrounds whether England Manager Sven Goran Eriksson will replace the injured John Terry with King. AFP PHOTO Adrian DENNIS

England defender Ledley King answers questions as he enters the frame for a starting position against France on Sunday, with first choice John Terry battling injury. The Tottenham youngster has only 5 international games under his belt but scored on his debut for England.

Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo warms up during a training session at the Academia Sporting, near Lisbon, 10 June 2004 two days before the start of the 2004 European Nations Championship. Portugal will play the opening match against Greece 12 June. AFP PHOTO / Lluis GENE

Cristiano Ronaldo will doubtless be giving Portugal's opponents all kinds of problems with his step-overs and fancy footwork. A place in the starting line-up is uncertain, but he's warming up anyway.

Spanish forward Joseba Etxeberria (R) play football-volley with midfielders Vicente Rodriguez (L) and Xavi Hernandez during a training session at Da Falperra Hotel near Braga 10 June 2004 two days before the start of the 2004 European Nations Championship.Spain will play its first Euro 2004 match against Russia 12 June. AFP PHOTO/ Javier SORIANO

Spain striker Joseba Etxeberria puts on a smile as the players get ready for their opener against Russia on Saturday. The Spaniards are trying to break a jinx that has seen them fail to win a major tournament since the European championships in 1964.

Journalists work in the media center at Dragao stadium, 10 June 2004 in Santo Tirso, some 25 kilometers north of Porto, two days before the opening game Portugal vs Greece of the European Nations Championships in Portugal. France will play its first game vs England 13 June. AFP PHOTO FRANCK FIFE

Journalsits have arrived in Portugal en masse to cover what is the world's third biggest sporting event the European Championships. Here several are getting down to work in the brand new press centre at Porto's Dragon stadium.

A mother holds her daughter next to the cow's model dressed with the Portuguese national flag in Vilamoura, some 20 km outside Faro, 10 June 2004. Russia and Spain will play their first match at Algarve stadium in Faro 12 June. AFP PHOTO / YURI KADOBNOV

The Portuguese are feeling bullish ahead of their tie in the Euro opener against Greece on Saturday. Here a mother cradles her daughter next to a life sive model dressed in the national strip near Faro in the country's south.

Swiss coach Jakob Kuhn speaks to reporters prior to a training session in Obidos 10 June 2004 two days before the start of the 2004 European Nations Championship. Switzerland will face Croatia 13 June 2004. AFP PHOTO JOHN MACDOUGALL

Swiss coach Kobe Kuhn is in the spotlight as his team start the tournament as outsiders in a group featuring France, England and first opponents Croatia. The veteran coach knows a good result in Sunday's opener is crucial to his side's chances.

Indonesian football lovers gather and dress themselves up with football hats in Jakarta, 10 June 2004. About two dozen young men with over-sized soccer balls on their heads took to a central Jakarta roundabout -- a popular location for political protests -- to show their love of football and support for Euro 2004. AFP PHOTO/Bay ISMOYO

People in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta get into the spirit of Euro 2004 by dressing up in football inspired costumes. Matches will be televised late in the evening in the football mad nation of over 230 million.