Penpix of the Portugal squad ahead of the European Championship semi-final against the Netherlands on Wednesday:
GOALKEEPERS:
1-Ricardo (Sporting). Born: 11.2.76. Caps: 31. Dominates the area, though prone to the odd mistake. Moved to Sporting this season after helping Boavista win the league title for the first time in 2001 and has elbowed Vitor Baia out of the way to establish himself as Portugal's number one. A hero in the quarter-final penalty shootout win over England when he saved Darius Vassell's kick and then took the decisive one himself.
DEFENDERS:
5-Fernando Couto (Lazio) Born 02.08.69. Caps: 109. Goals: 8. Team captain and Portugal's most capped player, Couto lost his place to Ricardo Carvalho after the 2-1 defeat by Greece in the opening match and has watched the rest of the tournament from the bench. An expert reader of the game, even if he no longer has the pace of old. Prowess in the air has brought him a number of important goals. Returned to the squad in October 2001 after serving a four-month drugs suspension.
4-Jorge Andrade Born 09.04.78. Caps: 26; Goals: 2. A tireless performer who likes to get up and support the attack. Like Couto, he is excellent in the air and has become one of Europe's most respected defenders since his move to Deportivo Coruna in 2002. Ever-present at Euro 2004.
13-Miguel Born 04.01.80. Caps: 17; Goals: 1. Likes to attack down the right flank from where he can fire in raking crosses. Won the right-back position from Paulo Ferreira after the opening defeat by Greece.
14-Nuno Valente Born 12.9.74 Caps: 13; Goals: 1. Fast and effective defender who scored his first international goal for Portugal in the recent friendly defeat against Italy. A fine crosser of the ball from the left. Began the competition on the bench but won a place in the team for the second game against Russia and has kept his place.
16-Ricardo Carvalho Born 18.5.78. Caps: 8; Goals: 0. Portugal's find of the championship after replacing Fernando Couto, Carvalho was voted man-of-the-match in the quarter-final against England after an impeccable performance. An uncompromising tackler with great timing and anticipation he can also weigh in with goals from set pieces. Carvalho has been a defensive rock for Porto in the last two seasons in Europe.
MIDFIELDERS:
20-Deco (Porto) Born: 27.8.77. Caps: 17; Goals: 1. Brazilian-born playmaker who switched nationalities to play for Portugal under Luiz Felipe Scolari, drawing strong criticism from Luis Figo. Scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Brazil on his debut and won a place in the team at the expense of Rui Costa after the opening match against Greece.
6-Costinha (Porto) Born: 01.12.74. Caps: 28; Goals: 2. Solid midfielder who has been an integral part of Porto's successes. Good in the air, making him a player to watch on set pieces. Usually dependable in front of the defence, though his mistake cost Portugal a goal in the quarter-final against England.
10-Rui Costa (AC Milan) 29.3.72. Caps: 93; Goals: 26. After losing his place to Deco following the Greece defeat, has found a new lease of life as a substitute, coming off the bench to score against Russia and England. The latter effort, a rifling drive following a twisting run, was one of the goals of the tournament. Possesses wonderful technique and at his best he remains capable of dictating the pace of a match.
18-Maniche (Porto) Born: 11.11.77. Caps: 13; Goals: 1. Fine all-rounder who likes a battle in midfield but is also a good passer and has a useful long shot. Fell out with coach Scolari after last year's friendly defeat by Spain before being recalled for Euro 2004. He won a place for the first game and has become one of the team's most important players.
FORWARDS:
17-Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) Born 05.02.85. Caps: 11; Goals: 2. His speed and finesse persuaded Manchester United to pay close to $20 million to sign him from Sporting last year and he has looked an excellent prospect at Old Trafford. Began on the bench but won a place in the starting line-up against Spain and England.
23-Helder Postiga (Tottenham Hotspur) Born 02.08.82. Caps: 9; Goals: 4. Technically accomplished striker who has endured a miserable first season at Tottenham Hotspur following a $10 million move from Porto. Scored a late equaliser against England just eight minutes after coming on for his first appearance at the tournament.
7-Luis Figo (Real Madrid) Born 04.11.72. Caps: 108; Goals: 31. FIFA's World Player of the Year in 2001 and still the inspiration in the Portuguese side. Doesn't quite have the speed or strength of old but he remains an excellent crosser of the ball and is a danger from free kicks. Gives the impression of being permanently in a bad mood but Scolari puts this down to his introverted personality.
21-Nuno Gomes (Benfica) 05.07.76. Caps: 44; Goals: 21. Quick striker blessed with good control. Returned to the squad in February 2001 after serving a suspension for excessive protest during Portugal's semi-final defeat against France in the last European Championship. Scored the winner against Spain after coming on as a halftime substitute.
11-Simao Sabrosa (Benfica) 31.10.79. Caps: 31; Goals: 4. Speedy winger who has recovered from a disappointing spell at Barcelona to become one of the most dangerous forwards in Portugal. Lacks power in his shooting but makes up for it with excellent placement, particularly on free kicks.
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