Euro 2004 digest
All the latest news from Portugal…
CZECH REPUBLIC: Goalkeeper Petr Cech believes he and his team-mates can go all the way and lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy in Lisbon on Sunday by winning the Euro 2004 final.
The Chelsea-bound goalkeeper, speaking after the 3-0 win over Denmark that put Karel Bruckner’s side into a semi-final with surprise packages Greece, was in buoyant mood after keeping his first clean sheet of the competition.
And he is convinced that the Czechs can win a second continental title to add to the one that – in the days of the old Czechoslovakia – they won in 1976 at the expense of West Germany in the final.
Cech told PA International: “We are confident because we have played very well until now and we think we can go all the way to the final and hopefully even win it.”
DENMARK: Jesper Gronkjaer is impressed by the Czech Republic and believes they have a good chance of winning the Euro 2004 final.
He said: “They are a very good team and I think they have a very good chance.
“But all of the four teams have their chances to win – Portugal are getting better and Holland also play very good football. We must not forget Greece now because they have beaten Portugal and France.”
GREECE: Midfielder Stylianos Giannakopoulos will be available to play against the Czech Republic in Wednesday’s Euro 2004 semi-final.
The Bolton player took part in Sunday’s training session with the rest of his team-mates, having recovered from a thigh injury that ruled him out of action for his side’s last two games against Russia and France.
This is good news for boss Otto Rehhagel, who will have all his players available for their vital clash in Porto. The Greek team are in high spirits after a historic 1-0 triumph over defending champion France that has put them into their first semi-final in a major tournament.
The German coach’s achievements in Portugal have not gone unnoticed, with Greek home office minister Georges Voulgarakis even suggesting the concession of Greek nationality to the 65-year-old.
“I propose to give Rehhagel Greek nationality, if the laws allow us to do this, because he has proved he has a Greek soul,” said Voulgarakis.
HOLLAND: Dick Advocaat’s critics in the Holland are many and vociferous but the ‘little General’ developed a thick skin in Glasgow when he managed Rangers.
Under-fire for his tactics, Advocaat said: “Criticism is part of a manager’s job. In Holland you have to win everything, but I’m used to that from my time in Scotland!
“There’s a love-hate relationship between myself and the Dutch press. Expectations are high back home, that’s the way it is and you have to cope with it.”
PORTUGAL: Midfielder Deco has kept tight-lipped about where he will be playing his club football following the European Championships and insisted he intends to remain focused on Euro 2004, rather than be distracted by speculation about his future.
Recent reports in the Spanish press have linked the Porto star with a move to the Spanish Primera Liga, with Barcelona reportedly offering him a five-year contract.
However, the Brazilian-born player has also been linked with a move to Chelsea, with former Porto coach Jose Mourinho keen to take Deco to Stamford Bridge.
However, Deco refused to be drawn in today’s press conference, saying: “This is not the best time to talk about my future.
“I will make a decision after the European Championships because my priority right now is placed on this tournament.”
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