Soccer News
Advocaat shrugs off home advantage
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| Dutch head coach Dick Advocaat gestures as he asks the still photographers to leave the press conference a minute after his entry, 20 June 2004 in Albufeira on the Algarve coast during the European nations championship. The Netherlands lost 2-3 yesterday its second match at the Euro 2004, vs the Czech Republik. AFP PHOTO - SVEN NACKSTRAND |
Dutch coach Dick Advocaat said Portugal would gain little advantage from playing Wednesday's semi-final in front of their own supporters.
"Both teams are desperate to come into the final and it is a great moment to show Europe and the world how good they can play," said Advocaat.
"They have all the media pressure, the whole country is holding its breath and any result other than a win will be insufficient for them.
"It can be a disadvantage for Portugal. They have a lot of talent, no doubt about that but we also have a lot of talent and a very experienced side".
Figo to close cap gap with Couto
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| Portugal's Luis Figo controls the ball during the friendly soccer match against England at Faro Stadium, south Portugal, 18 February 2004. The match finished 1-1 and Figo played his 100th match with portuguese team. AFP PHOTO/ Miguel RIOPA |
Portuguese skipper Luis Figo will go level with veteran defender Fernando Couto as their country's most-capped internationals of all time if the former plays in Wednesday's semi-final against the Dutch and the latter does not.
Couto has won 109 caps but has lost his place after the shock opening loss to Greece.
Figo was furious after coach Luiz Felipe Scolari substituted him in the quarter-final win over England and headed straight for the dressing room but Scolari is set to restore the 31-year-old to the side to face the Dutch.
Nedved booking stands say UEFA
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| Czech Pavel Nedved is seen at the end of the Czech national team's practice in Sintra, near Lisbon, on 29 June 2004. The Czech Republic will play Greece in their semi-final match of the Euro 2004 01 July in Porto. |
Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved's booking against Denmark will stand after UEFA refused on Tuesday to re-examine his team's claims that it was unfair.
TV replays showed Jesper Gronkjaer had blatantly play-acted in order to get the Czech playmaker booked and another yellow would rule him out of Sunday's final, should his side qualify.
But European football's governing body said its regulations did not allow the booking to be re-examined.
"I just made a normal tackle and it wasn't a foul. The referee got it wrong".
"But I can't afford to think about it. I have to go out and play my normal game.
Frisk in charge of card games
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| The Swedish referee Anders Frisk (R) gestures next to Portugal's midfielder Costinha, 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 Dimitar DILKOFF |
Five players likely to start Wednesday's Euro 2004 semi-final between hosts Portugal and the Netherlands will be treading a tightrope as a yellow card would cost them a plce in the final.
Portugal's Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Costinha are all on one warning while Andy van der Meyde and Roy Makaay are in the same boat for the Dutch.
Dutch skipper Frank de Boer, who was also on one yellow, will miss the game because of injury.
Swedish referee Anders Frisk will take charge of his second encounter featuring Portugal, having already waved five yellows in the hosts' group stage win over Spain.
Advocaat leans towards Overmars
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| Dutch team manager, Dick Advocaat, is seen during a press conference in Albufeira, 28 June 2004 at the European Nations championships in Portugal. The Netherlands will meet host country Portugal in the semi-final 30 July in Lisbon. AFP PHOTO FRANCOIS GUILLOT |
Out of form Dutch winger Andy van der Meyde could be dropped in favour of veteran Marc Overmars for Wednesday's semi-final according to 'Oranje' coach Dick Advocaat.
"Andy did not play a very good match," confessed 57-year-old Advocaat on the quarter-final win over Sweden.
"I was not happy with his performance. I could choose to play with Marc Overmars against Portugal. But I will not say so right now," added Advocaat.
It is the latest potential blow for van der Meyde, who had last season ruined because he was suffering from a mystery virus and ended up playing in just matches.
Baric steps down as Croatian coach
Croatia's coach Otto Baric stepped down as expected on Tuesday following Croatia's first round exit at Euro 2004.
Two members of their great team from the 90's Zvonimir Boban and Slaven Bilic are mentioned as possible successors.
Baric said that he was satisfied with the way the team had performed at Euro despite their early elimination.
"Even if the results in the European championship were not a success, nor a failure either I have decided not to renew my contract," said Baric.
Bolf back into training
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| Czech republic defender Rene Bolf (L) and Latvian midfielder Maris Verpakovskis go for a header, 15 June 2004 during their opening match at the European Nations football championships at Aveiro's municipal stadium. The Czech Republic and Latvia are competing in Group D with Germany and Netherlands. |
The Czech Republic received a boost ahead of Thursday's semi-final with Greece when centreback Rene Bolf resumed training on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old, who has just moved to Auxerre in France, had been doubtful for the match after limping off injured during the 3-0 quarter-final victory over Denmark.
However, right back Martin Jiranek is ruled out with a groin injury but could be fit for the final if the Czechs qualify.
"Our team does not depend on this player, he was successfully replaced by Zdenek Grygera in the last match and he can be again." said assistant coach Miroslav Beranek.
Portugal to welcome back Nuno Gomes, Andrade
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| Portugal's defender Jorge Andrade (Top) falls on England Darius Vassell's head, 24 June 2004 during their European Nations Championship quarter-final football match between Portugal and England at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. AFP PHOTO Hrvoje POLAN |
Hosts Portugal are set to receive a double fitness boost for Wednesday's Euro 2004 semi-final against Holland with both striker Nuno Gomes and defender Jorge Andrade almost ready to return from ankle trouble.
Doctor Enrique Jones said both men had made progress following treatment and were likely to make the game.
"They have had tests and are responding well. They are almost fit and should be in a condition to play," Jones said, adding both players were set to participate fully in an afternoon training session.
I have nothing to prove: Figo
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| Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo is seen during a press conference, 29 June 2004 at the Academia Sporting near Lisbon during the European nations football Championship. Portugal and The Netherlands will play their Euro 2004 semi final at Alvalade stadium in Lisbon 30 june. AFP PHOTO Lluis GENE |
Portuguese star Luis Figo, controversially substituted in the quarter-final win over England, says he has "nothing to prove" ahead of Wednesday's semi-final here against Holland.
The 31-year-old was clearly upset after being substituted against England and he sat alone in the dressing room as his side rallied to win on penalties.
"It was hard because I was not on the pitch, but it was good to reach our objective to get to the semi-final.
"I have nothing to prove, the people know me well," said Figo. I just have to give my best in the next game. It's all I can do,"
No fear for Greek 'keeper
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| Greece's goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis (L) talks to midfielder Stylianos Giannakopoulos during a training session 27 June 2004 in Lisbon. Greece will play the winner of the quarter final between the Czech Republic and Denmark 01 July in Porto. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS |
Greece goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis believes his team's progress to the semi-finals proves that the balance of power in European football has shifted.
"Teams like Greece, the Czech Republic and Denmark all have players now who play for big clubs in Europe, players with a lot of experience," he said.
That means that they are not scared when they play sides like Italy or England. Now the small teams are much closer to the big teams.
"Look at the Champions League for example. The big teams like Real Madrid and AC Milan ended up with nothing and you had Monaco and Porto in the final."