Euro 2004 Football - Portugal

Founded 1914 Fifa 1926

Prospects for the European Football Championship 2004

Every host country, in every championship always plays out of their skin.  Against such a hypothesis is the feeling that Portugal have been football's universal under-achievers, flattering only to deceive.  On balance the way I see it this; no club side would fancy winning at FC Porto or Benfica, so it will be the same for the national teams, they will all fear Portugal in the blistering summer sun.

I have an interesting prediction.  No European Championship host has even been runner-up; previously the home nation has either won or come nowhere.  My wild prediction is that two of the oldest politically allies will battle it out in the final of Euro 2004, so it is England to beat Portugal for me.

Qualified: 1960, 1984, 1996, 2000

Qualified as Hosts for Euro 2004

Portuguese Squad for European Football Championship 2004

Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari

Deco and Ricardo Quaresma

Rui Costa

Louis Figo

Sergio Conceicao,

Christiano Ronaldo,

Luis Boa Morte and Hugo Viana