Football United

Portugal have given Maniche a chance to shine at UEFA EURO 2004™ after he was named in Luiz Felipe Scolari's provisional 23-man squad.

The FC Porto midfield player had not been involved in the national team set-up since the 3-0 defeat by Spain in September. He gets the nod ahead of Fulham FC's Luís Boa Morte. Another notable inclusion is Tottenham Hotspur FC forward Hélder Postiga who has hardly featured over the last 18 months, while young SL Benfica goalkeeper Moreira will join up with the full squad after the UEFA European Under-21 Championship later this month.

There were no surprises in defence with the only doubt being left-back Rui Jorge. However, he was cleared of doping offences yesterday and is free to play. It is also a familiar story in midfield, with the experienced duo of Luís Figo and Rui Costa among the six chosen while 19-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo is among the forwards after a promising year with Manchester United FC.

Scolari faces an anxious wait, however, over the coming days. Maniche along with Porto colleagues Deco, Nuno Valente, Paulo Ferreira, Costinha and Ricardo Carvalho will represent their club in the UEFA Champions League final a week tomorrow while first-choice forward Pauleta will be involved with Paris Saint-Germain FC in the French Cup final the following Saturday.

Portugal squad

Goalkeepers
Ricardo (Sporting Clube de Portugal)
Quim (SC Braga)
Moreira (SL Benfica)

Defenders
Jorge Andrade (RC Deportivo La Coruña)
Fernando Couto (S.S. Lazio)
Ricardo Carvalho (FC Porto)
Miguel (SL Benfica)
Paulo Ferreira (FC Porto)
Nuno Valente (FC Porto)
Rui Jorge (Sporting Clube de Portugal)
Beto (Sporting Clube de Portugal)

Midfielders
Tiago (SL Benfica)
Petit (SL Benfica)
Costinha (FC Porto)
Deco (FC Porto)
Maniche (FC Porto)
Rui Costa (AC Milan)
Luís Figo (Real Madrid CF)

Forwards
Pauleta (Paris Saint-Germain FC)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United FC)
Simão Sabrosa (SL Benfica)
Nuno Gomes (SL Benfica)
Hélder Postiga (Tottenham Hotspur FC)