Gallery

Portugal head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari celebrates with Brazil and Portuguese flag after Portugal beat England, 24 June 2004 during their European Nations Championship quarter-final football match between Portugal and England at the Estadio Da Luz in Lisbon.

With expecatations sky-high for Portugal before Euro 2004 got underway, it was always going to be a demanding task for Luiz Felipe Scolari to meet public demand. Not many fans are complaining now however as the team are on the brink of the final.

Dutch player,Ruud van Nistelrooy is seen during a training session in Albufeira, 28 june 2004, at the European Nations championship in Portugal. Portugal and Netherlands will play the Euro 2004 semi-final 30 June 2004 at Alvalade stadium in Lisbon.

Ruud van Nistelrooy already had a respected reputation as one of the greatest goalscorers in European club football. Now he has shown his talents on the international stage carrying the Netherlands to a semi-final date with Portugal on Wednesday.

Portugal's Luis Figo walks behind England's goalmouth, 24 June 2004 during their European Nations football championships quarter-final match between Portugal and England at The Luz Stadium in Lisbon. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS

One of the most dramatic matches of the tournament was Portugal's penalty shoot-out win over England. Luis Figo must put his substitution disappointment to one side as Holland now stand between the hosts and a place in the final.

Netherlands' supporter poses, 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, prior to the Euro 2004 group D football match between Netherlands and Czech Republic at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Francois GUILLOT

There have been a wide array of colourful fans at Euro 2004 including from colourful to eccentric. Dutch fans have been in for a treat as they battled through to the semi-finals and a hot date against Portugal.

Portugese supporters parade in Lisbon's Avenida da Liberdade, central Lisbon, early 25 June 2004 as they celebrate Portugal's victory over England in the quarter-final of the Euro 2004. AFP PHOTO JOE KLAMAR

Hopes and dreams have gone through the roof for fans of Portugal as the team stand just two matches from winning their first ever major trophy. The penalty shoot-out win over England provided tense drama.

Netherlands' defender Wilfred Bouma (2ndR) is congratulated by teammates after his goal, 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, during their Euro 2004 group D football match against the Czech Republic at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV

The Netherlands have overcome a slow start to the tournament that included a draw to Germany and a defeat against the Czech Republic to reach the semi-finals. They are now within a defeat of Portugal and their first appearance in the final since 1988.

Greece's coach Otto Rehhagel (L) celebrates after his team beat France 1-0, 25 June 2004 in their European Nations Championship quarter-final football match between France and Greece at the Estadio Jose de Alvalade in Lisbon. AFP PHOTO Lluis GENE

Otto Rehhagel will never have to buy another drink in Greece after leading his team to the semi-finals. Here he jumps for joy after defying the odds to upset France and book a date against the Czechs for a place in the final

Czechs players listen to their coach during the Czech national team's practice of the European nations championship in Sintra near Lisbon, 28 June 2004. The Czech team will play 01 July at Estádio do Dragao in Lisbon vs Greece in a semi final match. AFP PHOTO JOE KLAMAR

The Czech Republic have more than lived up to their pre-tournament billing as one of the favourites by powering into the semi-finals. A star-studded line-up now prepare to tackle Greece on Thursday for a place in the final.

Greece's supporters hold their team's banners, 16 June 2004 at Bessa stadium in Porto, before the Euro 2004 Group A football match between Greece and Spain at the European Nations championship in Portugal.

Fans of the Greece team have had their wildest dreams realised as they defyed all expectations by reaching the semi-finals. They are now just one match from the final but must overcome the powerful Czech Republic on Thursday.

Czech republic forward Marek Heinz (R) celebrates with Milan Baros (top) and Pavel Nedved after scoring against Latvia to make it 2-1, 15 June 2004 during their opening match of the European Nations football championships at Aveiro's municipal stadium. The Czech Republic and Latvia are competing in Group D with Germany and The Netherlands.AFP PHOTO JANEK SKARZYNSKI

With such dynamic and offensive minded players as Pavel Nedved, Milan Baros and Marek Heinz in the side, the Czech Republic have proved too powerful for their opponents. Four straight wins have taken them to the semi-finals and a match against Greece.

Greece's forward Angelos Charisteas (L) celebrates with Vassilios Lakis after scoring, 25 June 2004 during their European Championship quarter-final football match between France and Greece at the Estadio Jose de Alvalade in Lisbon. AFP PHOTO ARIS MESSINI

Greece have been the story of Euro 2004 with a fairytale run to the semi-finals where they take on the high powered Czech Republic on Thursday. Here Angelos Charisteas (L) celebrates with Vassilios Lakis after his winner sunk France.

A Czech supporter cheers his team, 27 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, before the beginning of the Euro 2004 quarter final match between Czech Republic and Denmark at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV

Fans from around Europe have provided a colourful spectacle of their support as the 3-week tournament provides great entertainment. This fan is onto a winner with the Czech Republic one game away from the final.