Gallery

Portugese fans collect complimentary cards of the Czech players during the Czech national team's meeting in Sintra on 13 June 2004. Czech Republic will play Latvia in their first Euro 2004 match 15 June in Aveiro.

Delighted children help themselves to colour cards of players from the Czech Republic that were handed out free of charge at the team's headquarters in Sintra.

Swiss supporters cheers with the color of country painted on his face, 13 June 2004 at the Pessoa stadium in Leiria, before the Euro 2004 football match between Swiss and Croatia at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO John MACDOUGALL

Switzerland return to major competition for the first time since Euro 96 as they come up against Croatia in Leiria on Sunday. This fan gets in the mood for what promises to be a festive evening at Euro with France and England set to meet later in the day.

Spain's fans celebrate after their team beat Russia 1-0, 12 June 2004 at Faro stadium during their first match in the European Nations football championships in Portugal. Spain and Russia are competing in Group A of the Euro2004 with Greece and host Portugal. AFP PHOTO / YURI KADOBNOV

Spain fans were in great spirits as thier side got the Euro campaign off to a perfect start edging Russia 1-0 in a tight match at Faro.

Spanish midfielder Juan Carlos Valeron leaves the field, 12 June 2004 at Faro stadium after their opening match at the European Nations football championships. Spain and Russia are competing in Group A with Greece and host Portugal. Valeron scored a goal and Spain beat Russia 1-0.

Spain's goal hero Juan Carlos Valeron is all smiles as he leaves the pitch at Faro after Spain's win while Russia's Alexander Mostovoi contemplates the uphill struggle his side now face.

Portugal's forward Luís Figo (L) runs past Greece's midfielder Theodoros Zagorakis (R) 12 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during their Euro 2004 group A football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Francois Xavier MARIT

Portugal's Luis Figo desperately pushing forward as his side trail Greece 2-0 during the second half of the Euro 2004 opener.

Russian fans cheer on their team, 12 June 2004 at Faro stadium before their opening match against Spain at the European Nations football championships. Spain and Russia are competing in Group A with Greece and host Portugal.

It was Russia's national holiday Saturday but Spain ruined the party for these two fans with a 1-0 win over them in Faro.

Spanish striker Raul (R) collides with Russian defender Alexei Smertin, 13 June 2004 at Faro stadium, for their first match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. Spain and Russia compete in the group A of the Euro 2004 with Greece and host Portugal. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS

Raul holds tight to Alexey Smertin's shirt during the Russia v Spain tie Saturday, from which the Iberians ran out 1-0 winners.

Spanish players celebrate after midfielder Juan Carlos Valeron scoring a gaol against Russia, 12 June 2004 at Faro stadium during their first match in the European Nations football championships in Portugal. Spain and Russia are competing in Group A of the Euro2004 with Greece and host Portugal. AFP PHOTO / YURI KADOBNOV

Spanish striker Juan Carlos Valeron opened the scores in their tie against Russia just 36 seconds after making a 59th minute substitute appearance.

Russian goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov catches the ball despite of Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso (L), 12 June 2004 at Faro stadium during their opening match at the European Nations football championships. Spain and Russia are competing in Group A with Greece and host Portugal.AFP PHOTO JAVIER SORIANO

Spain's Xabi Alonso can't quite reach the ball with his head as the Russian 'keeper closes in on him.

Russian goalkeeper Sergey Ovhinnikov catches the ball behind Spanish striker Raul (Top),12 June 2004 at Faro stadium, during their opening match at the European Nations football championships. Spain and Russia are competing in Group A with Greece and host Portugal. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS

Russian goalkeeper Sergey Ovhinnikov snatches the ball away from Spain striker Raul during the first half of their Group A tie. The two sides went in 0-0 at the break after a lively 45 minutes

Peter, an english supporter, refreshes his head in Pedro IV square, central Lisbon; 12 June 2004 during the 2004 European Nations Championship. England will face France in their first Euro 2004 match 13 June 2004 at Lisbon's Luz stadium. AFP PHOTO/ Vincenzo PINTO

Unused to the searing heat of southern Europe an English soccer fan takes a radical approach to cooling off in Lisbon's central square.

A Russian fan puts make up on, 12 June 2004 at Faro stadium before their opening match against Spain at the European Nations football championships. Spain and Russia are competing in Group A with Greece and host Portugal.

While the players were down in the changing rooms for a last minute team talk for the Spain game some of Russia's fans were making a few late adjustments of their own.