Figo feels weight of expectation

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.

With expectations high of a first ever major trophy for Portugal, the Real Madrid “galactico” admits it is essential to come out of the clash with the Greeks at the Estadio do Dragao with three points in the bag with potentially tough clashes with Russia and Spain still to come.

Figo told journalists at the Fundacao de Serralves, a modern art gallery: “People are expecting so much of us and what we want to do is play a good game, get the three points.

“We really want to live up to the expectations that have been placed in us and give people something to cheer about.”

Figo is a member of the “golden generation” that won two youth World Cups in 1989 and 1991. They have never managed to do so at senior level although they came close in Euro 2000 when they lost a thrilling semi-final to France who prevailed thanks to a golden goal penalty from Zinedine Zidane.

That was the third major semi-final in Portugal’s history after the exploits of a Eusebio-inspired team in the 1966 World Cup and also in Euro 84 when the Portuguese lost one of the most exciting games ever seen, 3-2 to a Michel Platini-inspired France at Marseille.

Figo would love to make Portuguese history and said: “We are professional footballers.

“It’s a great honour to represent Portugal – attitude is very important in a tournament like this and we will try and do our best and give as much as we can for Portugal.”

The former FIFA World Player of the Year is relieved that Italian referee Pierluigi Collina has been appointed to handle the match with Greece - historically Portugal have always felt short-changed by officials.

In 1966 a late decision to switch the semi-final with England from Goodison Park to Wembley infuriated the Portuguese who believed it was clearly designed to favour the host nation while the tolerance shown to Nobby Stiles’ treatment of Eusebio also raised eyebrows.

In 1984 the Portuguese also felt hard done by because of Platini’s injury-time goal – they felt the final whistle should already have been blown.

Four years ago there were furious scenes when the likes of Abel Xavier, Figo and Joao Pinto made their feelings clear at the penalty awarded to France although Sylvain Wiltord’s shot did appear to strike Xavier’s hand on the goalline.

Figo said of Collina: “We all know he is the best prepared referee in the world and he will have a good game and be fair to both teams.”

Experienced defender Fernando Couto, aged 34, also knows this might be his last chance to win a major tournament at senior level but claims he is unfazed at the prospect of playing on home soil.

Couto said: “I think this will not give us a particular problem – all the teams want to win.

“It’s a pleasure to play for Portugal and this is going to be a great experience.”