Spain v Portugal - PREVIEW
Portugal unfazed by must-win scenario
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| Portugal's midfielder Maniche (C) celebrates with his teammate forward Sabrosa Simao (L) as Russian midfielder Andrei Karyaka (R) reacts after scoring a goal against Russia, 16 June 2004 during their match at the European Nations football championships at the Da Luz Stadium in Lisbon. Portugal and Russia are competing in Group A with Spain and Greece. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS |
Not for the first time, the form book has been ripped up at a European Championships with outsiders Greece top of Group A while hosts Portugal are in grave danger of making a humiliating exit.
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Wednesday's 2-0 win over Russia has won the fans back over as coach Luiz Felipe Scolari bids to pull off a unique double by adding a Euro 2004 success with the Portuguese to his 2002 World Cup triumph while in charge of Brazil.
Much will defend on whether Spanish forwards Raul and Fernando Morientes finally click.
Raul has been so out of form despite a record 38 goals for his country that there is serious talk he may be dropped.
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| Greece's goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis (background) looks the ball kicked by Spain's striker Fernando Morientes (foreground) going in his goal, 16 June 2004 at Bessa stadium in Porto, during their Euro 2004 group A football match of the European Nations championships in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Francois Xavier MARIT |
Raul is thinking only of the match even though the Spaniards have Fernando Torres bursting to be thrown into the fray in his place.
"I think it will be us and the Greeks in the last eight," said the Spanish captain. The match with Portugal will be difficult but we will qualify," he forecast.
Raul's Portuguese counterpart Pauleta admits the issue of who goes through should have been resolved before this showdown.
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| Swidish referee Anders Frisk (R) make a sign next to Netherlands' midfielder and captain Phillip Cocu,15 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during the Euro 2004 group D football match against Germany at the European Nations championship in Portugal. |
"We thought we'd go into this one with the group already decided, but the Greeks have seized their chance and they are the ones who hold the whip hand," Pauleta said.
The Spanish are unhappy that Sweden's Anders Frisk will referee the game having taken charge of their World Cup 2002 match against the Republic of Ireland, whom he awarded a penalty to force the Spaniards to endure a penalty shootout which they ultimately won.
History speaks for Spain as Portugal have won just six of their 34 previous meetings, their last success coming in a 1981 friendly while none came in a competitive international.
Teams
Spain: Casillas - Puyol, I. Helguera, Juanito, Raul Bravo - Joaquin, Xabi Alonso, Albelda, Vicente - Raul (capt), Fernando Torres
Coach: Inaki Saez
Portugal: Ricardo - Miguel, Ricardo Carvalho, Andrade, Nuno Valente - Costinha, Maniche - Figo (capt), Deco, Cristiano Ronaldo - Pauleta
Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Referee: Anders Frisk (Swe)