Vitor Baia kept goal for Porto as they lifted the European Cup but has not made Portugal's Euro 2004 squad -- a fact which rankles with many people in the tournament's host country.
Sporting's Ricardo Pereira, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's first choice in goal for the Portuguese, has complained of being treated like "an opponent of Portugal".
"To talk about this is a lack of respect for those who are here. There are three of us and we have Scolari's trust," he told A Bola sports newspaper.
Scolari, who picked Pereira, Quim Silva of Sporting Braga and uncapped under-21 keeper Jose Moreira of Benfica, has not called up veteran Baia since he took over the Portugal side in early 2003.
The goalkeeper at the other end of the pitch when Portugal kick off the tournament in the opening game against Greece on June 12 could be Antonis Nikopolidis, but only if he gets into shape after playing virtually no football this year.
Nikopolidis says he is not in shape after being left out of the Panathinaikos side this year because of a contract dispute. He has now secured a move to big rivals Olympiakos after 15 years with Panathinaikos, the clubs reported on Friday.
The 33-year-old played in all of Greece's Euro 2004 qualifiers and did not concede a goal in the last six games, setting a record of 540 minutes unbeaten.
"I will do everything possible so I am not affected by this break," Nikopolidis said as Greece left for preparations for the European Championship in Poland and Switzerland. "I will be ready on time and will give it everything I have."
NEXT-DOOR RIVALS
Nothing could be worse for Portugal than neighbours Spain, who they also meet in Group A, winning the tournament in their back yard.
Midfielder Ruben Baraja of Spanish champions and UEFA Cup winners Valencia said Spain's underdog status could make them dark horses.
"The fact that we're not seen as one of the favourites and we're not under as much pressure this time round could mean that we do better than ever before," he said at the team's training base in Las Rozas outside Madrid.
"In my opinion this is one of the most well-balanced and skilful Spanish teams of recent years and we have got a great chance.
"Portugal have to be one of the favourites as they are playing at home and will be boosted by the support of all the fans," Baraja added. Spain play Portugal in their final group match on June 20.
Defending champions France, who meet England in their opening Group B match in Lisbon on June 13, continued their preparations with a comfortable 4-0 friendly win over Andorra in Montpellier.
Forward Sylvain Wiltord scored the opener in the final minute of the first half and added his second 10 minutes after the interval before strikers Louis Saha and Steve Marlet completed the rout.
French Euro 2004 hopes suffered a setback, however, when Monaco midfielder Ludovic Giuly was ruled out of the tournament with a groin injury.
Sweden came from behind to beat local rivals Finland 3-1 in a friendly in Tampere, striker Marcus Allback scoring twice after Jari Litmanen had given the hosts an early lead from the penalty spot.
The Swedes face Poland next week before heading for Portugal where they play Italy, Denmark and Bulgaria in the group phase.
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