Portugal v England - PREVIEW
England and Portugal in delerium
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| An England fan holds a puppet of Queen Elizabeth II in a replica Euro2004 trophy, 21 June 2004 during their European Nations Championship football match against Croatia at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon. England and Croatia are competing in Group B with France and Switzerland. |
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| Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) vies with Spain's midfielder Vicente, 20 June 2004 at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, during their Euro 2004 group A football match, at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Lluis GENE |
Whether it is the Rooney-mania sweeping through England or the Euro fever engulfing Portugal, something has to give in the Stadium of Light on Thursday night.
For the side that loses the first quarter-final of this increasingly exhilarating tournament, the come-down from the highs of the first round promises to be brutal.
The pressure on what remains of the 'golden generation' of Portuguese players to finally win a grown-up trophy is mirrored by England's desire to make up for the missed opportunity of the last World Cup.
Two years after their World Cup quarter-final defeat to Brazil England have a fitter, more experienced squad that has been bolstered by the introduction of Wayne Rooney and the return of Gary Neville and Steven Gerrard.
There are uncertainties though over a defence which has conceded four goals in three games, all of them from setpieces. Michael Owen is also suffering from a lack of form.
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| Portugal's forward Nuno Gomes (hidden) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring the opening goal for his team, 20 June 2004 at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, during the Euro 2004 group A football match between Spain and Portugal, at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Lluis GENE |
In England's favour is the Rooney-inspired momentum they have established by bouncing back from their opening defeat by France to beat Switzerland 3-0 and then Croatia 4-2.
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| (FILES) Combo of two recent pictures showing England forward Wayne Rooney (L) and Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Host country Portugal will face England in Lisbon 24 June 2004 in the first quarter-final match of the Euro 2004European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV |
Portugal are also on something of a roll after recovering from the shock of losing the opening match in the tournament to Greece with victories over Russia and Spain.
The latter, a 1-0 win which secured top spot in group A, was the hosts first competitive victory over their Iberian neighbours and has been hailed as a psychologically important breakthrough.
Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was upbeat about his star and gave a nod to England's Rooney ahead of the tie.
"We will be up against a player who has been scoring goals for fun. But we mustn't just focus on him.
But Figo, who inspired a 3-2 comeback for Portugal after England had led 2-0 at Euro 2000, was upmost on Scolari's mind.
"I hope Figo will come up with the goods again. I can only wish he will be as dynamic as he was on that occasion," he said.
His star striker Pauleta is out suspended, but the goal hero from the Spain tie Nuno Gomes will take his place, he also scored the winner in the 3-2 win over England at Euro 2000.
Teams
Portugal: Ricardo - Miguel, Ricardo Carvalho, Andrade, Nuno Valente - Costinha, Maniche - Figo (cap), Deco, Cristiano Ronaldo - Nuno Gomes
Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari
England: James - G. Neville, Terry, Campbell, A. Cole - Beckham (cap), Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes - Owen, Rooney
Coach: Sven Goran Eriksson
Referee: Urs Meier (SWI)