No favorites in Euro 2004 but Scolari worried by hosts lack of competition

May 3, 2004 Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari believes that there were no favorites for the Euro 2004 football title next month, but admitted he was concerned by the hosts' lack of competition

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari believes that there were no favorites for the Euro 2004 football title next month, but admitted he was concerned by the hosts' lack of competition

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari believes that there were no favourites for the Euro 2004 football title next month, but admitted he was concerned by the hosts' lack of competition.

The Brazilian believes the 16-nation tournament which begins on June 12 is wide open but that Portugal could be handicapped by their lack of competition having been limited to friendlies after qualifying automatically as hosts.

"I think that these results are not natural and this worries me," said Scolari, who guided Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup.

"We always play thinking about winning, not as if it were a practice, but when we lose I have the feeling that something isn't right. There are moments when my hair stands on end."

But Scolari said that he had confidence in his players ability to rise to the occasion and the fact that World Cup finalists Germany were beaten 5-1 by Romania showed that the title was up for grabs.

"There are no favourites. Germany went down by five goals to Romania a week ago and the Czech Republic fell to Japan. In this championship it's impossible to predict anything," Scolari told the daily Lance.

"I think there are 8 to 10 teams who can take the title."

Scolari, who took over the Portugal side in January 2003 after leading Brazil to a record fifth win in 2002 World Cup, is expected to announce his squad on May 17.

"I think that we can correct our mistakes," he said.

"Club committments mean that the players can't give themselves totally in friendlies. But from the moment they are called it will be a different story. Club preoccupations will be forgotten and they'll think only of the team and everything will be easier."

Source: WorldSoccerNews.com

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