PORTUGAL coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has named his squad for the World Cup qualifiers with Latvia and Estonia.

The focus now is not on Greece but Germany. To whom do they turn to lead the team in the World Cup of 2006?

Luis Figo has insisted he will take his time before deciding whether to retire from international football.

Felipe Scolari is ready for “the most important game in his life” in tomorrow’s Euro 2004 final against Greece.

Portugal defender Fernando Couto believes the Euro 2004 quarter-final with England will be the toughest game yet for the tournament’s hosts.

Nuno Gomes scored the all-important goal to send Portugal into the quarter-finals of Euro 2004 and set up a possible date with England.

The whole of Portugal heaved a collective sigh of relief following the host’s victory over Russia yesterday but they know there is far more nerve-jangling agony to come.

Portugal 2 Russia 0

Rui Costa scored the second goal that keeps Portugal’s hopes of lifting the European Championship title in their own country remain on track – but only just.

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari wielded the axe as his side went into their life-or-death Group A clash with Russia at the Estadio da Luz.

There was dismay in the Portuguese press on Sunday as the host nation digested the 2-1 defeat by Greece in the Euro 2004 tournament opener that has severely compromised their hopes of qualification for the knockout stages.

Portugal defender Fernando Couto admits that his team are carrying the burden of high expectations into Euro 2004 but is confident he and his team-mates have the character to fulfil the hopes of the host nation.

EURO 2004 will stand alone as the greatest football festival the world has seen if it goes halfway to fulfilling the hype that has fuelled the build-up to this latest celebration.

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has surprisingly named Porto midfielder Maniche ahead of Armando Petit in his team to face Greece in the opening match of Euro 2004 in Porto tomorrow.

Portugal star Luis Figo admits the hosts need three points to settle their nerves against Greece in Saturday’s opening match of Euro 2004, the biggest sports event that the country has ever staged.

Football fever is reaching new heights in Portugal just 24 hours before the host nation play Greece in the opening match of Euro 2004.

Helder Postiga was today named in Portugal’s squad for 2004 despite a hugely disappointing first season with Tottenham.

Lazio coach Roberto Mancini admits his side will have to keep a very close eye on former favourite Juan Sebastian Veron in tonight’s Champions League clash against Chelsea.

CLAUDIO RANIERI chose the eve of his new Chelsea side’s biggest test so far, to deliver a blunt warning to his multi-million pound squad that they must still keep on improving.

A head injury suffered by Lazio defender Fernando Couto against AC Milan has knocked him out of Champions League encounter at Chelsea.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich may have set his sights on emulating Manchester United and Real Madrid as he embarked upon his plans to buy a short-cut to success at Stamford Bridge.

Lazio reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup with a 5-4 aggregate win victory after winning 2-1 against Wisla Krakow in Poland.

Portugal superstar Luis Figo has given the Ireland/Scotland bid to host the Euro 2008 finals his backing.

Footballers were today warned to beware of taking dietary supplements after a player tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid nandrolone.

A professional footballer has tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone for the first time in England.

A PROFESSIONAL footballer has tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone for the first time in England.

FIFA are investigating Portugal’s Joao Pinto amid allegations that he punched referee Angel Sanchez in the aftermath of being sent off against South Korea.

South Korea's Park Ji Sung scored the goal that saw the joint hosts qualify for the second round and knocked Portugal out of the World Cup.

Luis Figo shrugged off his poor performance in Portugal’s opening defeat by declaring he is ready to inspire a revival in his country’s fortunes against Poland tomorrow.

The United States pulled off one of the great World Cup upsets today to topple the might of Portugal.

The United States pulled off one of the great World Cup upsets today to topple the might of Portugal.

The USA stunned Portugal by taking a 3-1 half-time lead against a side rated by many as outside contenders to win the World Cup.

The USA stunned Portugal by taking a 3-1 half-time lead against a side rated by many as outside contenders to win the World Cup.

The United States get their World Cup under way against Portugal with coach Bruce Arena admitting he has searched in vain for his opponents' Achilles heel.

Fear of expensive legal suits from banned players is one possible reason why football’s world governing body FIFA have not accepted Olympic standards on drugs testing according to a leading anti-doping official.

Frank de Boer is waiting for the official go-ahead to rejoin Holland’s World Cup campaign after UEFA today reduced his one-year ban for failing a drugs test.

Dutch skipper Frank de Boer has been banned by FIFA for one year following his failed drugs tests, according to the player’s lawyer.

Juan Veron’s move to Manchester United is still up in the air - with the club insisting no deal has been agreed for the Argentinian midfielder.

Ireland manager Mick McCarthy was involved in a confrontation with Portuguese counterpart Antonio Oliveira after the sides drew 1-1 in a World Cup qualifier at Lansdowne Road.

Ireland can consider themselves lucky that they are not behind at half-time as Portugal dominated proceedings in the first-half of this World Cup Qualifier at Lansdowne Road.

A noisy full-house crowd and plenty of pre-match squabbling produced an electric atmosphere at Lansdowne Road and tackles were soon flying in.

Ireland can virtually confirm their place in the World Cup finals in 2002 in Japan and South Korea if they can defeat Portugal at Lansdowne road this afternoon.

Bad blood has arisen between the Irish and Portuguese camps ahead of this