Robson bemused by bizarre Euro

Former England coach Sir Bobby Robson reflected on what he termed a bizarre Euro 2004 tournament and admitted he could not answer as to why the so-called giants of the sport had gone out so early.

Former England coach Sir Bobby Robson reflected on what he termed a bizarre Euro 2004 tournament and admitted he could not answer as to why the so-called giants of the sport had gone out so early.

The 71-year-old Newcastle manager, who coached FC Porto and Sporting Lisbon after he had left the English post and done a spell at PSV Eindhoven, wrote in the sports paper 'O Jogo' their failures could not be put down to fatigue.

"Who would have said that France, England, Spain and Italy would have been gone from Euro before the semi-finals!

"No-one would have believed that at the beginning of the tournament and I also do not know how to explain it.

"Certain pundits say that the players were tired because they came from the strong leagues in Europe, like in England, Spain and Italy."

However Robson dismissed such an argument.

"Portugal also have players who had a difficult and long season with Maniche, Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Costinha winning the Champions League with FC Porto.

"All of this has contributed a bizarre character to the tournament," wrote Robson, who guided England to the 1986 World Cup quarter-final and the 1990 semi-final.