As outsiders Portugal take on favourites and hosts France at the Stade de France in Paris, they will hope to banish the memories of 12-years ago.
Hosting a tournament is a once in a generation event for any country in the world and when Portugal threw the biggest football party in Europe in 2004, they had a side that fitted the occasion.
Golden generations are often touted but the class of ’04 were arguably the best this historic footballing nation has ever produced and are the closest Portugal have had to major tournament winners.
In all appeared to be set up perfectly for the Portuguese. The legendary pair of Luis Figo and Rui Costa were inspiring the side with the likes of Maniche, who had won the Champions League final just weeks before under Jose Mourinho at Porto, offering much needed energy and tactically discipline. Portugal could also call upon a young, 19-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo who had lit up the tournament.
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As the talented Portuguese side made it to the final in Lisbon, it seemed destined that the hosts would finally win a major tournament. All that stood in their way was an unfancied Greece team, that had shocked the footballing world on route to their maiden final. The likes of France and the much fancied Czech Republic had been swept aside by the resilient Greeks.
But going into the final, every pundit and football fan tipped Portugal to end their wait for a trophy. Yet football is rarely as straight forward as it seems. For much of the match at the Estadio da Luz, Greece frustrated the hosts and produced a sucker punch when from their first corner of the match, Angelos Charisteas headed home for the outsiders.
Ronaldo had a golden opportunity to square things up late on when he was clear through on goal but he blazed over. When the final whistle blew every Portuguese player on the pitch fell to his knees. Tears were flowing as Portugal felt they had missed their golden opportunity.
Since 2004, Portugal have missed out on a major final twice, both times due to penalties. At the 2006 World Cup, an early Zinedine Zidane penalty eliminated them at the semi-final stage in Munich, while four years ago in Donetsk Portugal almost shocked the reigning World and European champions Spain only to lose on a penalty shootout where Ronaldo was due to take the fifth spot-kick but it never got that far.
Now at Euro 2016, Portugal have a chance to make up for their recent failures. During the tournament in France, the Portuguese have never completely impressed, winning just one game in 90 minutes, but at the same time they have not looked like losing. History and form is though against them.
France have dazzled on several occasion during their own tournament while Portugal have not won in their last ten games against the French, including the Euro 2000 semi-final defeat in Brussels. But Ronaldo believes Portugal have a great chance to make history.
“This final is different,” Ronaldo said, when asked to compare this tournament to Euro 2004.
“I was 18, that was my first final. Now 12 years have gone by and now we are going to play another final. I am very proud of that. I have always dreamed of winning for Portugal, I hope it is our turn now.”
Unlike 12 years ago, Portugal go into the final on Sunday as the underdogs. Now it is their turn to produce a firm and resilient performance to deny the vibrant hosts their triumph on home soil. Ronaldo and co will believe they can rewrite Portuguese football history and banish the ghosts of Lisbon 2004.
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