Luis Figo admitted Portugal had paid a heavy price for their mistakes after the host nation lost 2-1 to Greece in the opening match of Euro 2004.

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.

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.

Greece are fully prepared to poop the party tomorrow when they provide the opposition to host nation Portugal in the opening match of Euro 2004.

Munster 32 Wasps 37

Longford jumped three places up the table as a Sean Francis goal gave them their first home win of the season.

A diver forgotten at sea by a boat crew in the US drifted for five hours and prayed for his life before a sharp-eyed boy scout on an ancient excursion ship spotted him and organised a rescue.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has proposed drawn matches become a relic of football’s past by stressing that all matches should have a winning and losing team.

Football stars from the past and present today united to pay their final respects to goalkeeping legend Ronnie Simpson.

Llanelli Scarlets 10 Biarritz 27

It has finished 4-2 at Highbury, after talismanic Thierry Henri pushed Arsenal two ahead 12 minutes from the final whistle.

Republic of Ireland U19 2 Ukraine U19 3

Marseille 2 Newcastle 0 (Marseille win 2-0 on aggregate)

Triple Crown winners Ireland open with two away games to Italy and Scotland in 2005 RBS 6 Nations campaign.

As Gibson Guitar Corporation launches a groundbreaking digital model, company chief executive Henry Juszkiewicz can close his eyes and almost hear the music.

A German postman sold parcels on an Internet auctions site instead of delivering them.

Wasps second row Simon Shaw has been given the green light to play in Sunday’s Heineken Cup semi-final showdown with Munster.

Dozens of anti-nuclear campaigners rallied outside Mordechai Vanunu’s prison today, a day ahead of his release, praising the former nuclear technician as a hero for revealing Israel’s nuclear secrets 18 years ago.

It just had to be Rugby Park. The scene of last season’s despair became the venue for an early championship party as Celtic wrapped up the Bank of Scotland Premier League with six games remaining.

Garryowen 15 Co Carlow 14