MATCH 30 RESULT : GREECE 1 CZECHS 0

Greece win via "Silver Goal"
16' Ex. Dellas

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MATCH 30 REPORT : DELLAS DELIGHT STUNS CZECHS

Greece will play Portugal in the final of UEFA EURO 2004™ after Traianos Dellas' header in added time at the end of the first half of silver goal extra time knocked out the Czech Republic.

Dellas decisive
The goal that settled a dramatic and entertaining second semi-final in Porto eventually arrived in the 106th minute as Vassilios Tsiartis swung over a corner, and Dellas nipped in to steer in a header at the near post and send the Greeks and their fans into ecstasy, and a totally unexpected final appearance.

One change each
The Czech Republic made one change from the side that defeated Denmark in the quarter-finals, Zdenek Grygera coming in at right-back to replace Martin Jiránek, who was ruled out by a hamstring injury. Following the Greeks' shock win against holders France, coach Otto Rehhagel brought back Zisis Vryzas up front after suspension in place of Themistoklis Nikolaidis.

Rosický denied
Backed by a noisy contingent of fans, Greece were fortunate not to fall behind after only two minutes as Tomáš Rosický volleyed against crossbar from 20 metres with Greek goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis motionless. The vibrant Czechs maintained their early pressure, Nikopolidis beating away Marek Jankulovski's fierce drive for a corner moments later.

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MATCH 30 PREDICTION : CZECH REP. VS GREECE

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MATCH 30 PREVIEW : CZECHS WISE TO GREEK SUPRISE

After arriving in Portugal without a win at a major championship, Greece are one game away from the UEFA EURO 2004™ showpiece, although they must first overcome the competition's form team, the Czech Republic, on Thursday night.

Morale high
The Czechs come to the Estádio do Dragão in Porto with the supreme confidence that four straight wins brings. Squad morale is also high thanks to coach Karel Brückner's man-management skills. All but one player - third-choice goalkeeper Antonín Kinský - has been given a run-out at the finals. However, Greece will also feel positive, especially as they return to the stadium where they silenced hosts Portugal on the opening day.

Giannakopoulos fit
The Greeks have striker Zisis Vryzas available again after suspension and he may to return to the starting lineup for his 50th cap at the expense of Themistoklis Nikolaidis. A more certain starter is fit-again Stylianos Giannakopoulos, who could come in on the right side of midfield with Konstantinos Katsouranis or possibly Angelos Basinas dropping to the bench.

Lively full-backs
It is highly unlikely that Otto Rehhagel, the German coach whose success has prompted calls for him to be made an honorary Greek, will change anything in defence. Full-backs Giourkas Seitaridis and Panagiotis Fyssas have particularly caught the eye, along with 28-year-old central defender Traianos Dellas.

Greece (possible): Nikopolidis; Seitaridis, Kapsis, Dellas, Fyssas; Giannakopoulous, Zagorakis, Basinas, Karagounis; Charisteas, Vryzas.

Czech Republic (probable): Cech; Grygera, Bolf, Ujfaluši, Jankulovski; Poborský, Rosický, Galásek, Nedved; Koller, Baroš.

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MATCH 29 REVIEW : CAPTAIN LEADS PORTUGUESE PRAISE

The sight of Luís Figo locked in an emotional embrace with Rui Costa for more than a minute after the final whistle told its own story. Just days earlier, the Portuguese captain had trudged disconsolately from the field, substituted against England with Portugal seemingly heading out of the tournament and Figo’s international career over.

Deserving winner
He had been roundly criticised for refusing to join the celebrations after that match, but tonight Figo rolled back the years and was a deserving winner of the Carlsberg Man of the Match award as Portugal reached the final of a major tournament for the first time.

Golden boys celebrate
That it was Rui Costa, an unused replacement in this match, in whom he sought solace was poignant, for with squad captain Fernando Couto, who came on five minutes from the end, they are the only three survivors of Portugal’s so-called Golden Generation who were world youth champions 13 years ago to the day.

Figo so proud“It’s difficult to explain with one word the emotion we feel right now,” Figo told BBC TV afterwards. “It is really a proud moment for us especially here in Portugal in front of our own fans. We cannot wish anything more than for us to be in the final. We suffered a little in the second half, but we had the best chances to score more goals. We suffered in order to get to the final whistle, but in the end the important thing is the result.

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MATCH 29 RESULT : PORTUGAL 2 NETHERLANDS 1

26' Ronaldo - 58' Maniche 63' Jorge Andrade (o.g.)

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MATCH 29 REPORT : MANICHE HAS FINAL SAY

Portugal became the first host nation since France in 1984 to qualify for the final of the UEFA European Championship after a headed goal by Ronaldo and a stunning strike from Maniche saw off the challenge of the Netherlands despite Jorge Andrade's own goal.

Initial defeat
Just as their opponents did 16 years ago, Portugal's feat was achieved after losing their opening match, but since that defeat by Greece Luiz Felipe Scolari's men have grown in stature and tonight, led by Luís Figo, inspired by Deco and anchored by a resolute defence they were worthy winners.

Pauleta restored
With Pauleta restored to the attack in place of Nuno Gomes, Portugal fielded the team that started their final group match against Spain at the same stadium; the Netherlands called on PSV Eindhoven's Wilfred Bouma to replace the injured Frank De Boer in central defence, with Marc Overmars preferred to Andy van der Meyde on the right-wing.

Early exchanges
With the Netherlands' forward momentum foundering on the edge of the penalty area and Ruud van Nistelrooij looking isolated in attack, Portuguese captain Figo provided the game's first telling cross after ten minutes, producing a teasing

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TIPSTER'S VERDICT ON THE SEMI-FINALS

Rid yourself of preconceptions
There have been a number of surprise results in the tournament so far, with the likes of Germany, France, England, Italy and Spain all going home early. You want to take this into account when you look at the semi-final games on Wednesday and Thursday. The unexpected does happen in football, and you should base your semi-final predictions only on how well you think the four teams have performed in the competition so far, comparing strengths and weaknesses, not basing yourself on traditional views as to how good these teams are.

Home support
If the first semi-final between Portugal and the Netherlands lives up to expectations, it should be a display of technical wizadry and attacking flair. Both teams possess the players and skill to progress to the final and predicting a winner is by no means easy. The Tipster, however, will back the hosts to qualify. They have improved drastically since losing the opening game of the tournament against Greece and will have the advantage of playing on home ground. Although the Dutch have looked impressive, they were unable to score against Sweden, and obtained only one victory in the group phase, scoring three against Latvia, drawing against Germany and losing against the Czech Republic.

Defensive discipline
The Czechs, on the other hand, have convinced all observers of just how good they are. They will be favourites to reach the big game on Sunday when they take on Grece in the second semi-final on Thursday. They are the only team to have won all their games so far, and have done so in style. That does not mean, however, that you should necessarily write of the Greeks. Coach Otto Rehhagel’s team have demonstrated that they are a well-structured team, and that they have a defence sufficiently gifted and experienced to keep the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry at bay. If they can perform as well against Jan Koller and Pavel Nedved, then there could still be a surprise in this game.

MATCH 29 PREDICTION : PORTUGAL VS NETHERLANDS

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MATCH 29 PREVIEW : REMEDY AT THE READY IN LISBON

Advocaat bravery
The Dutch coach, Dick Advocaat, has also had to deal with plenty of criticism, particularly for his substitution of the exciting Arjen Robben and subsequent defeat by the Czech Republic. But not many coaches are brave enough to field two wingers at any level these days, and while the talent at his disposal tends to demand an attacking lineup, Advocaat can still take some credit for bucking the trend.

Van der Meyde dilemma
The loss of his captain Frank De Boer through injury will be smoothly enough covered over by the return of Wilfred Bouma at the back. But Advocaat has surprisingly offered up another selection poser by declaring himself unhappy with the form of right-winger Andy van der Meyde. Marc Overmars or Roy Makaay stand by to start in his place.

Pressure on hosts
Four years after bowing out as co-hosts at the semi-final stage, the Netherlands are now hoping to inflict a similar fate on the Portuguese. "A lot of pressure is on the [host] team," Advocaat added. "We have experienced that in 2000 ourselves. It will become an interesting meeting between two attacking teams but the pressure is on them because they really have to do it."

Portugal (probable): Ricardo; Miguel, Jorge Andrade, Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente; Costinha; Figo, Maniche, Deco, Ronaldo; Pauleta.

Netherlands (probable): Van der Sar; Reiziger, Stam, Bouma, Van Bronckhorst; Seedorf, Cocu, Davids; Overmars, Van Nistelrooij, Robben.


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MATCH 29 BACKGROUND : PORTUGAL VS NETHERLANDS

SEMI CONSCIOUS OF PAST PAIN

For one team, the semi-final heartbreak of UEFA EURO 2000™ will be repeated all over again. For the other, the pain of four years ago will be replaced by joy at making the final this time.

Epic matches
When Portugal and the Netherlands meet in Lisbon, they will inevitably remember what happened four years ago when France overcame the UEFA EURO 2004™ hosts and the Dutch fell to Italy. Both were epic matches, as indeed were their respective quarter-finals this time around which went to penalties.

Happy memories
But then both sides will have warm feeling towards the Estádio José Alvalade, the venue where each team's quarter-final place was sealed. It was the location where Portugal beat Spain 1-0 to clinch Group A having stared elimination in the face, and three days later the Czech Republic overcame Germany 2-1 to ensure that the Netherlands' 3-0 win against Latvia in Braga took them through.

First meetings
What is for definite is that this is the biggest ever meeting between the sides. Surprisingly, they did not play until 1990, when they met in a EURO '92 qualified, won 1-0 by Portugal in Porto. Crucially, though, the Dutch won the return the following year in Rotterdam and a month later claimed qualification.

Portugal's revenge
That, though, is the only Netherlands victory against Portugal in eight attempts. In their other two competitive fixtures in 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Portugal won 2-0 in Rotterdam and drew 2-2 in Porto, progressing to Korea/Japan as the Dutch were eliminated. They last met in April 2003, the friendly ending 1-1 in Eindhoven as Patrick Kluivert scored his joint-record 37th international goal before Simão Sabrosa equalised.

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MATCH 28 REVIEW : BRUCKNER BASKS IN SOLIDITY

Importance of rest
"It's a certain advantage that they have had three more rest days than us in the competition and more time to prepare for the semi-final. That was why I decided to change my lineup for the Germany fixture. We had to consider that we could have six matches here, and our games against Latvia and the Netherlands had been difficult for us too."

Baroš brilliance
Having found the net in every finals match to date, Baroš now tops the goalscoring chart with five goals from four appearances. "It was a great game for us and as we won 3-0 we are very happy with that," the striker said. "I haven't really thought about the Golden Boot.

'Dreams come true'
"If somebody told me before the tournament that I would score five goals I wouldn't have believed them but dreams come true. The most important thing is that we're in the semi-finals. We knew it would be difficult against Denmark. The important thing was that we scored first. They then played more offensively and we were able to finish the game after 70 minutes."

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MATCH 28 RESULT : CZECH REP. 3 DENMARK 0

49' Koller - 63', 65' Baroš

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MATCH 28 REPORT : BAROS BRINGS DOWN DANES

Bright start
The Czechs, who had won eight consecutive matches in the competition, started brightly and Sørensen was forced into action as early as the third minute when he dived low to his left to gather a Nedved free-kick.

Czech chance
Baroš might have done better two minutes later when Tomáš Rosický headed the ball into his path inside the penalty area from another Nedved free-kick. Koller then got in on the act, but his header from Poborský's right-wing cross sailed over, before Galásek shot narrowly wide of Sørensen's right-hand post with a low drive from 20 metres.

Poulsen frustrated
However, Denmark were not being overrun and responded with two genuine scoring opportunities of their own. First Jensen passed to Poulsen inside the penalty area, and he sidestepped Galásek's sliding challenge only to see his shot blocked by Tomáš Ujfaluši. The same pair combined moments later, but this time Poulsen's header from 15 metres was narrowly wide of Petr Cech's right-hand post from Jensen's free-kick.

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MATCH 28 PREDICTION : CZECH REP. VS DENMARK

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MATCH 28 PREVIEW : DANES ALIVE TO CZECH THREAT

Confidence boost
"Compared to our group matches this will be our most difficult opponent," said the Denmark captain. "The Czechs have won all their group matches, and against Germany they even won with practically all their substitutes. This will inevitably have boosted their self-confidence - and they already have a very good national team as it is."

Winning run
The Czechs will be hoping to extend their winning sequence to nine matches in the competition stretching back to the qualifying round. In that sequence, the Czechs have scored two or more goals in every game, and have come from behind on five occasions. With no injury concerns, coach Karel Brückner will restore his star players to the starting lineup having rested them for the final group game against Germany as the Czechs had already secured first place.

No complacency
Brückner, who won both of his two engagements against the Danes while Czech Under-21 coach, is quick to play up Denmark's strengths in attempting to avoid any complacency from his team. "The players are satisfied to meet Denmark but I am not sure that it is really good news," he said. "They play interesting football, with real purpose and quick counterattacks. We're starting again from zero and teams can play in a very different style in these one-off matches. We're not favourites at all."

Czech Republic (probable): Cech; Jiránek, Bolf, Ujfalusi, Jankulovski; Poborský, Rosický, Galásek, Nedved; Koller, Baroš.

Denmark (probable): Sørensen; Helveg, Laursen, Henriksen, Bøgelund; Gravesen, D Jensen, Tomasson; Grønkjær, Sand, Jørgensen.

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MATCH 27 REVIEW : DUTCH PROGRESS DESPITE NO PRACTICE

In so many recent major finals, the Netherlands have endured the shattering heartbreak of elimination on penalties. In a nerve-wracking climax to follow 120 tight and tense minutes in Faro-Loulé, the 'Oranje' finally laid to rest their spot-kick hoodoo to book a UEFA EURO 2004™ semi-final place and foil Sweden's hopes of European glory.

Previous agony
The EURO '92 semi-final against Denmark; the EURO '96™ quarter-final against France; the 1998 FIFA World Cup semi-final against Brazil; the UEFA EURO 2000™ semi-final against Italy; all were lost by the Dutch in penalty contests. This time, at long last for them, the Netherlands won the battle of nerves and now continue their roller-coaster Portuguese adventure.

No penalty practice
A week ago, coach Dick Advocaat was facing the music from the Dutch press and public after his side lost a two-goal lead to the Czech Republic. Now, after a record 54th match in charge, the Little General prepares for Portugal. "We actually didn't train [for penalties], because I still think it's like a lottery," he explained. "The quality of the players is what matters. I was not involved when the Netherlands lost previous shoot-outs."

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MATCH 27 RESULT : SWEDEN 0 NETHERLANDS 0

Netherlands (5 - 4) wins on penalties

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MATCH 27 REPORT : DUTCH DELIGHT IN SHOOT-OUT

After a dramatic penalty shoot-out, the Netherlands advanced to a UEFA EURO 2004™ semi-final against Portugal following 120 minutes of goalless stalemate in Faro-Loulé.

Robben decisive
A desperately tight, fiercely contested encounter had seen both teams foiled by the woodwork before misses from Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olof Mellberg proved decisive in the shoot-out, with Arjen Robben nervelessly converting the winning spot-kick.

Midfield reshuffle
Sweden made two midfield changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Denmark to qualify for the last eight, Anders Svensson replacing Kim Kallström and Anders Andersson giving way to Tobias Linderoth while Alexander Östlund came in for the suspended Erik Edman in defence. The Netherlands fielded the same team that booked a quarter-final place with a 3-0 success against Latvia.

Robben threat
On a gloriously warm evening in a vibrant atmosphere, both sides took time to settle and the early play was littered with free-kicks. The Dutch began to take the initiative, however, and Robben had the game's first chance after ten minutes, cutting inside before producing a fierce left-foot drive that was pushed aside by Andreas Isaksson.

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