** stories on all the things that i love **

8:15 PM
t.r.a.c.y

POSH'S MUM HITS OUT AT SPLIT RUMOURS

By Andy Rudd

J ACKIE Adams yesterday insisted David and Victoria Beckham would stay together despite the storm over the England skipper's alleged affair with Rebecca Loos and claims the couple have had a series of bust-ups.

Posh's mum laughed off reports the pair were "at war" and declared: "I've got the happiest daughter and son-in-law and they will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in years to come."

Jackie also said Victoria would definitely be moving to Spain with their children Brooklyn and Romeo to join Real Madrid star Becks.

And she laughed off rumours of a rift between her and Becks over the fling claims. Jackie said: "The other day I read that I was meant to have fallen out with my saw-in-law because of his alleged indiscretion. Well, how ridiculous.

"David and I are really, really close. There is no way in the world I wouldn't talk to him. He hasn't done anything to make me not talk to him."

Jackie told how David, 29, escaped the bitter disappointment of England's Euro 2004 exit by relaxing with Victoria at five-year-old Brooklyn's school sports day this weekend.

She said: "Both of them were sitting on the grass as happy as they have always been, cheering Brooklyn, screaming him on to win his race which he did and he won a cup for it.

"There is absolutely nothing, nothing wrong with their relationship. They are as happy as they have ever been.

"David gave out the cups, even though he didn't know he was going to do it, poor boy, and it was absolutely pouring down with rain and all the mums and dads were sitting there.

"Victoria and David are just, you know, a regular mummy and daddy at that sort of thing.

"David is such a hands-on father. He's a devoted dad. Brooklyn did win his race...and it wasn't fixed.

"I wish you could have seen them yesterday sitting cuddling on the grass with Romeo while Brooklyn was doing his race. They are absolutely the happiest couple ever."

A ND Jackie hit back at claims Posh and Becks, who bought her a Mercedes car as a gift, use publicity to boost their own mega-high profile. She said: "They are fed up with seeing themselves.

"They do not court publicity. I have been out more back doors of restaurants and hotels and places to avoid the paparazzi.

"People think they do photoshoots all the time. When Victoria had Romeo there was about seven exclusive photoshoots in magazines. But she hadn't done any them. Those were all photos which were years old.

"I saw a magazine the other day and there was 25 pages of her and they didn't know."

Speaking from her home in Hertfordshire, Jackie told LBC 97.3FM radio how her 30-year-old daughter is just like any other mother when she collects Brooklyn from school with one-year-old Romeo at her side.

With husband Tony beside her she said: "When people say Victoria dresses up when you see her, she does look lovely, but if you see her in the school run collecting the kids, she doesn't look any different and she is treated no differently from any other mum there. And she shouldn't be because she doesn't look any different.

"She's got her tracksuit and her trainers on and she's got Romeo on one knee as she dashes in the class to collect Brooklyn." Jackie revealed how Victoria had been planning to move to Spain last season but it never came off because of difficulties getting somewhere to live.

She said: "She tried to go recently but they hadn't found a house. They hadn't found a school for Brooklyn because the move to Madrid was quite quick. They didn't know they were going.

"Living in a hotel was absolutely impossible because, well imagine with two kids, you've got Brooklyn riding his bike around the reception of the hotel, and Romeo.

"The paparazzi were at both entrances to the hotel. There were fans, who were lovely, at both entrances to the hotel, there were film crews at both entrances to the hotel.

"You couldn't live with two kids like that. Because they hadn't found a school for Brooklyn so Victoria was commuting. She always commuted when they lived in Manchester.

"People don't realise that this is how their life has been ever since they met each other."

Jackie said Posh and Becks are hoping to go away on a short holiday with their sons.

S HE added: "David doesn't have very much time off. He only has about a fortnight off and then they go to the Far East. They are going to try to have a holiday because contrary to rumour they are not on holiday all the time.

"I think the longest they have ever been away is a week since they have known each other."

After England's miserable exit from Euro 2004 to Portugal on a quarter-final penalty shoot-out last Thursday, Beckham - who missed his crucial spot kick - declared: "My family are my No 1 and football is my No 2.

"That's just the way it is and will always be."

But just a couple of days earlier the midfielder had a different number one priority when he said: "I love to be playing football, it means more to me than anything and I am England captain."

7:28 AM
t.r.a.c.y

PREM TOLD: DUMP FOUR CLUBS

By Martin Lipton

THE PREMIERSHIP faces calls from UEFA to cut the number of clubs to 16 after the big guns of Europe were all blown out of the Euro 2004 water early.

England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France were all eliminated before the semi-final stage to cause concern at the highest levels of the European game.

UEFA needs the countries with the largest television and advertising markets to be in at the business end of tournaments to ensure the multi-billion pound cash cow can still be milked.

But after a Champions League season which saw Porto play Monaco in the final, senior UEFA figures have decided that radical action is needed.

And that could mean the Premiership being forced to slash FOUR clubs over the next three seasons or risk being barred from entering clubs in the Champions League or UEFA Cup.

One senior UEFA source told Mirror Sport last night: "There are great lessons here in this tournament. We now have to act according to those lessons."

UEFA President and Arsenal fan Lennart Johansson has already indicated that the demands of club commitments have to be reduced. Johansson said: "International football is very important but so is the health of the players. They should play fewer matches for their clubs.

"That is why we changed the Champions League format so there were only 13 games this season rather than 17. But maybe that action is not enough."

UEFA are now drafting proposals that will demand all the major footballing powers cut the number of clubs in their top leagues to 16 before the Euro 2008 finals in Switzerland and Austria.

The plans are expected to be announced by new chief executive Lars Christer Olsson in August, with the warning that UEFA will be willing to deny access to its two club competitions to countries that do not promise to fall into line. That would cause indignation among Premiership clubs, where only Arsenal and Manchester United have shown any interest in calls for a reduction to 18 clubs. Coca-Cola League bosses would be furious too, with the third promotion spot under threat.

Premier League spokesman Phil French maintained last night: "There are absolutely no plans for a change in the format of the Premier League competition and we have had no contact from UEFA suggesting that they wish to do so."

But now it seems that UEFA has decided that action is needed and that the proposals will be dropped on the doormats of the major leagues at the end of the summer.

Such a move will bring outrage from the majority of Premiership clubs, who are guaranteed around £15million each year from TV revenues and who would fear a potentially crippling loss of cash from such an enforced cut in the number of top-flight teams.

The Premiership and Spain's La Liga would be hit hardest, as both have 20 clubs, while Italy's Serie A and Germany's Bundesliga feature 18 sides.

But Bayern Munich president and chairman of the 2006 World Cup Organising Committee Franz Beckenbauer, signalled that Germany would be willing to fall into line, said: "UEFA has to take action on this. There are just too many matches.

"It's not just been here in Portugal that the big countries have failed. Look at the World Cup, when France, Italy and Spain went out so early, and the Champions League this season.

"Players are arriving at the major tournaments very tired. UEFA must act to cut the leagues from 20 to a maximum of 16 teams."

New Spurs boss Jacques Santini, whose France side never got out of second gear before their quarter-final exit, added: "The number of matches the players play must be an element of the explanation for what has happened in this tournament.

"A number of the coaches have complained about how many games their players have to play before they turn up for a tournament like this.

"I do not think we should use this as an excuse, but if you ask all the coaches who have gone out early, they would tell you we need to have better preparation time for a tournament like this if you have players who play in the biggest leagues."

SUFFERING FROM FIXTURE FATIGUEGERMANY20-team top league. Knocked out by Portugal, which has 18 teams in its top flightFRANCESPAIN20-team domestic league. Knocked out by Greece, which has 16 teams in its top flightENGLAND20-team top league. Players had played four more domestic games than counterparts from PortugalGERMANY18-team top league. KO'd by Czech Republic, which has only 16 teams in its top flightITALY18-team top league. Ended behind Sweden and Denmark, who have top leagues of 14 and 12 respectively.

7:25 AM
t.r.a.c.y

LINEKER LETS RIP AT BECKS AND THE BOSS

By Darren Lewis

GARY LINEKER has launched an amazing attack on England coach Sven Goran Eriksson's Euro 2004 tactics, claiming the Swede relied far too much on Wayne Rooney.

The BBC anchorman and former England striker criticised Eriksson for failing to correct the team's defensive frailties and playing David Beckham when the skipper was unfit.

Rooney lit up the tournament, scoring four goals and frightening the life out of England's opponents. But Lineker hit out at Eriksson for being unable to vary his tactics once the Everton kid limped off injured after 27 minutes of England's defeat by Portugal.

Lineker said: "The most disturbing thing was how we proved that we have no Plan B. Plan A was to allow Wayne Rooney to play opponents virtually on his own, filling up all the space between the forwards and midfield, as well as scoring most of the goals.

"When Rooney went off we didn't know what to do, we lost all shape and there was no link man to the forwards. The whole back four just stood five yards from goal, where any sort of contact on the ball from the attacker is likely to end in a goal.

"England made that mistake throughout the tournament and I kept waiting for them to get it right. It's just basic stuff and you have to raise a question mark about the coach when such things are continually allowed to happen," added Lineker.

"England have also suffered from having David Beckham clearly not fit. He had a very poor tournament and that was down to a lack of conditioning. To put it bluntly, he was off the pace."

NEVER MIND SVEN, AT LEAST YOU ARE TOP OF ONE TABLE

ENGLAND'S boss earns more in a year than any other coach at Euro 2004 - and his salary is as much as the four semi-final coaches earnings' put together!

Sven Goran Eriksson England £4,000,000

Rudi Voller Germany £1,900,000

Luiz Felipe Scolari Portugal £1,100,000

Giovanni Trapattoni Italy £1,100,000

Inaki Saez Spain £650,000

Otto Rehhagel Greece £490,000

Jacques Santini France £350,000

Dick Advocaat Holland £335,000

Morten Olsen Denmark £245,000

Otto Baric Croatia £175,000

Kobi Kuhn Switzerland £150,000

Tommy Soderberg Sweden co-coach £125,000

Lars Lagerback Sweden co-coach £125,000

Karel Bruckner Czech Republic £70,000

Georgi Yartsev Russia £65,000

Aleksandrs Starkovs Latvia £60,000

Plamen Markov Bulgaria £52,000

7:24 AM
t.r.a.c.y

IT'S YOUR FAULT

By Martin Lipton

THE WARNING shot across David Beckham's bows was delivered with a smile by Real Madrid President Florentino Perez.

"Yes," said the Madrid chief, "we understand your concerns, David. We agree with you that the training was not up to it and that the organisation of the team was not right.

"We will put that right next season. But who was it who did not train at all during the Christmas break? Who keeps on flying back to England when he is asked to rest? Who has to take responsibility for that?"

If Beckham did not heed the message behind Perez's response, then the past three weeks might have changed his opinion.

Euro 2004 was supposed to be the platform for Beckham to walk tall. Instead, he exited stage left, remembered for two vital penalty misses and arguably the four least influential games of his entire England career.

Then came the excuses. Yesterday he blamed the training at Real, saying: "I don't think we do as much conditioning work at Madrid as we did at Manchester United.

"That is the way it is in Spain. I didn't feel as fit in the second half of the season over there."

Then it was the level of scrutiny thrust upon Beckham and his family. "I want my children to enjoy their lives, but at times during the past year it really has been intolerable."

Yet before the England skipper starts looking for scapegoats, pinning the blame on Carlos Queiroz for arriving in Portugal under-cooked, the demands of Perez and the Real high command should be running through Beckham's head for the rest of the summer.

Suddenly, Beckham's position as the king of English football has been challenged.

Seeking excuses, bemoaning the fact that his celebrity lifestyle brings the attention he has craved all along, will not wash.

One man alone can right the problems of David Beckham, and that is Beckham himself, who must accept the new disciplines of Real's incoming hard-line coach Jose Camacho or prepare for the harsh reality that his shooting-star career may be beginning a terminal descent.

Beckham could never have expected that his move to Spain would coincide with the darkest hour since his red card in St Etienne.

Yet that is where he finds himself now, paying the price for losing the focus that meant he was often the last off the training ground at Carrington, where he had spent so many extra hours honing the skills that made him what he is.

Despite the emergence of Wayne Rooney, Beckham remains the public face of this England team, seemingly in charge of everything including the dressing-room mood-music.

Yet there have been grumblings of discontent from within the squad that the Beckham circus can snowball out of control.

Beckham and his injury scares have become the regular curtain-raiser to nearly every England match since the infamous fractured metatarsal that overshadowed the lead-up to the 2002 World Cup.

That was a genuine injury, but increasingly, the "doubts" appear more of an attempt by Beckham and his PR machine to keep him in the spotlight than real worries about his fitness.

One question that Beckham and Eriksson now must answer is why, if the captain was so concerned about his fitness, did he not make better efforts to make up the lost ground?

During the week-long pre-tournament trip to Sardinia, while the majority of the players sweated it out under the stern hand of fitness guru Ivan Carminati, Beckham took time off.

Rest and recuperation is one thing, but if a player feels he is short of the mark surely he would want to do all he possibly could to reach that optimum level. As long as Beckham was delivering on the pitch, the mutterings remained subdued, but his miserable performances in Portugal over the past three weeks will not have passed unmentioned.

"I've overcome some hurdles in my career and in my life," said Beckham. "I will continue to do that. This is a big disappointment but I am man enough and strong enough to come through it."

Camacho and the new rotation policy which will mean Beckham spending more time on the bench than he previously envisaged will put that vow to the test.

If he does rebound from adversity, the desire to put the record straight in Germany in 2006 could be England's strongest card. If not, then the possibility of Beckham no longer featuring in the England side will start to grow. This is his moment of truth.

BATTLE-SCARRED GALACTICOS!

DAVID BECKHAM was not the only Real Madrid player to suffer from a total lack of form at Euro 2004. Only Real's Luis Figo emerged from the tournament with any semblance of form. Here's show the other Galacticos fared.

RAUL

PIN-UP of Spanish football but had a nightmare, failing to produce a shot on target as his side bowed out. Automatic place in doubt with emergence of Juan Carlos Valeron.

ZINEDINE ZIDANE

TWO goals against England and a third against the Swiss, but cut a disconsolate figure as France let their crown go in the quarter-final with Greece. Looked jaded for long periods.

IVAN HELGUERA

THE smile that he wore after missing a sitter against the Greeks came back to haunt the defender as Spain crashed and burned. Yet again the Spanish flattered to deceive in a major event.

IKER CASILLAS

SPAIN'S No.1 goalkeeper only conceded two goals but it could have been more and may ask questions of himself over Nuno Gomes' critical winner for Portugal in the final group game.

LUIS FIGO

ONLY Galactico still in the tournament but has been substituted in three of Portugal's four games and looked to have had enough of the game when he was replaced against England by Helder Postiga.

7:24 AM
t.r.a.c.y

GET REAL... MADRID WARN MOANER BECKS

From Martin Lipton in Lisbon

DAVID BECKHAM has been warned by Real Madrid that he must cut out the jet-set lifestyle and take more responsibility for his physical condition.

Beckham's complaint that the training regime at Real was the reason he under-performed at Euro 2004 merely confirmed the view of the Madrid hierarchy that the England skipper was a victim of former coach Carlos Queiroz' lax approach.

But as new coach Jose Camacho promised a rotation policy which means Beckham can no longer consider himself an automatic selection, the England captain has also been told that he must realise his home is now in the Spanish capital and not in Hertfordshire.

While there are no suggestions from within the Spanish giants that they have run out of patience with Beckham, he was forced to give an undertaking to president Florentino Perez that he will knuckle down to a more disciplined life on and off the pitch.

A Real source said last night: "Beckham had a meeting with Perez at the end of the season when both sides voiced their concerns.

"David told the club that he did not believe they had protected his privacy and that of his family enough, and Perez took that on board.

"But at the same time, he was told that when the coach says the players can rest for two days, that does not mean taking a 3am flight back to England and then returning in time for training 48 hours later.

"He is playing for Madrid and must live in Madrid."

Beckham's criticism of the Madrid training methods echoed complaints made by other senior members of the team, including striker Raul.

Beckham said: "We haven't done as much conditioning work at Real Madrid as we used to do at Manchester United."

7:23 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Monday, June 28, 2004

THE MACCA COLUMN

Paul Mccarthy

DAVID BECKHAM is turning into his wife.

Not in some bizarre ''I'm so in touch with my feminine side'' twist, but in a worrying parallel which must send shivers of anxiety through Sven Goran Eriksson.

Like Victoria in her Spice Girls hey-day, Beckham shimmered and shone when he was young, sassy and fresh, bringing irreverence and a daring sense of glamour to an industry in danger of going stale.

He shook up the football world with his equally fresh-faced mates, successfully chasing out the staid forces that dominated football to such an extent that everything they touched went triple platinum.

Then came a period of consolidation, the odd flop which saw them slip to number two in the Premiership charts, but never once could you doubt Beckham and the boys. They had the goods ... and they knew how to use them.

Until, of course, the inevitable ''artistic differences'' and a falling out with The Management.

Posh and her pals felt they could do without Simon Fuller while Beckham began to see Sir Alex Ferguson as a restrictive influence determined to maintain a grip on his star when all Beckham wanted to do was show the world he was more than just part of a boy band, he had something serious to say.

Victoria went solo, briefly shone again before flopping. Now Beckham has gone solo, briefly shone before ...well, what can you call his personal Euro 2004 if not an almighty turkey?

But while Victoria desperately searches for cutting edge collaborations to revive her singing career, her husband is left with the sad conclusion that only he alone can restore his fading reputation.

There was so much in Portugal which smacked of a tortured soul. While much of that may have been self-inflicted, the Beckham of old always managed to rise above it once he crossed the line, shrugging off what some saw as the excesses and extravagances of his personal life to rise majestically on a football pitch.

Not this time, though. Not when his country needed him. Not when he needed to make a telling statement of intent. Not when the rest of Europe was intent on debunking the Beckham myth.

If ever there was a man who must get back to basics, it's Beckham. The strange twisted shapes he pulls when taking free kicks or penalties show somebody so obsessed with doing something outrageous he's almost forgotten how to do the ordinary.

Taking the England captaincy off him isn't the answer because he's still the man others look to as their leader, but it would help if Eriksson sat him down when the squad meets again to tell him some home truths.

Namely, that his country doesn't need a prancing show pony whose idea of effectiveness is to hit a few 40-yard Hollywood glory passes and think it can fool anybody.

That his country needs him to stand up and be counted in a tournament rather than fade away into the periphery when the heat of battle is at its most intense.

That his country wants a captain who instils belief at all times rather than merely the hope he'll turn up.

At the moment, Beckham is a long way short on all counts. Against Portugal, the match demanded an England player step up to the plate, drag it away from the hosts with intelligence, bravery and a determination not to allow England to be dominated.

In other words, just as Beckham did against Greece at Old Trafford all those years ago.

That performance - Beckham's last hit in an England shirt - seems an age away; an age when he could do anything he wanted with a ball at his feet, when he could inspire and thrill and we could all fantasise about our hopes with him as captain and spiritual leader.

If those days seem long gone, it's not too late for Beckham to reinvent himself once more. Victoria's musical career may be all but over but her husband can still dig deep and discover that essential star quality.

Normally, the world groans at the arrival of yet another covers band, but for David Beckham we'll make an exception.

2:00 AM
t.r.a.c.y

SVEN READY TO GO IF FA FAIL TO BACK HIM

By Andy Dunn And Paul Mccarthy

SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON will face an FA inquest into England's quarter-final exit from Euro 2004.

And the fall-out could mean the end of Eriksson's reign as the national coach.

We understand the chances of the Swede leading England to the World Cup Finals in 2006 are now rated as slim in some influential quarters within Soho Square.

The SP has learned that leading FA figures considered a semi-final place in Portugal as the 'minimum requirement'.

Eriksson will be asked to file a report to the FA's International Committee and explain exactly why that requirement was not achieved.

And if he is not happy with the response from his employers, it will almost certainly lead to his departure - but at the moment, there is no obvious place for Eriksson to go.

He was pursued long and hard by Inter but they are now appointing Roberto Mancini.

However, Mancini is one of Eriksson's closest friends and there could still be a chance that he will team up with the man the Italians call 'little Sven'.

A source close to Eriksson said: "There has been one common thing in Sven's career... he always has a back door open."

The FA will not sack Eriksson, especially after chief executive Mark Palios handed him a new £3million-a-year deal until 2008 and called him the best man for the job.

But there are other powerful voices within the FA who are unhappy with the lack of progress shown in tournament football.

They point to his enormous wage - by some distance the biggest in international football - and the fact that the England team are the best-funded in the world as reasons to expect more than glorious failure.

And the FA know that the commercial benefits of winning a major tournament would be astronomical.

Eriksson himself believed England were one of the favourites for Euro 2004 but after the dramatic loss in the Estadio Da Luz, he was adamant that he'd be staying in the job.

He said he would only go if his employers were unhappy with him.

Glenn Hoddle was asked to make exactly the same report following the World Cup in 1998 and his ill-fated book. It left Hoddle, in the words of one leading FA figure at the time, as a 'lame duck'.

The major boost for Eriksson is that the players appear to be squarely behind him. But he must be frustrated by the two last-eight exits at tournaments which seemed wide open for England to win.

And if he gets a hint that any top FA people think he was a failure in Portugal, he will put top clubs across Europe on red alert.

He was, of course, caught in a meeting with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich last season and Inter thought they could tempt him with a £3m-a-year offer.

The likely scenario is that when the next big club job comes along over the next 12 months, the FA and Eriksson are likely to part company.

1:58 AM
t.r.a.c.y

MRS WRECK 'EM?

By Rachael Bletchly

DISTRAUGHT David Beckham had a series of blazing rows with wife Victoria before England's shock Euro exit.

Stressed Becks and Posh were heard YELLING at each other in their hotel suite just days before his botched Portugal penalty.

Pals claim the couple's still-stormy relationship has left the England skipper mixed-up, miserable and mentally exhausted - and is thought to be one of the reasons behind his dire form on the pitch.

An England camp insider said: "David is becoming a broken man."

A source close to the England squad told how the pair's bust-up was overheard at their hotel in Portugal. "She is bored with him, bored with football, bored with having to be around the other players, bored with matches and bored with his behaviour," the source said.

"She isn't prepared to spend the her life living in his shadow."

The couple were also seen rowing about David's former agents, who Posh blames for fixing his move to Real Madrid.

And although Victoria has insisted that she and sons Brooklyn and Romeo will move to Spain permanently, the thought of leaving England upsets her.

Another source who was close to the England camp in Portugal said: "Away from the training pitch and matches, David was constantly on the phone to Posh.

"The feeling was that he was fighting to rescue his relationship with her. That pressure would hurt anyone's performance.

"It was so tough for him playing in Euro 2004 so soon after all the furore."

The close pal said: "We are worried about David. His marriage problems are turning him into an emotional wreck and must have affected his performance.

"He's drawn, jaded, hollow-eyed and strung-out. He's as miserable as hell and his fitness level has gone through the floor.

"David is torturing himself that he's let everyone down by missing the penalty.

"He feels totally adrift and has told one pal, 'I don't even know who I am anymore'."

Becks has been struggling for two months to heal the damage caused by revelations of his fling with PR girl Rebecca Loos.

Victoria flew to Portugal in a public show of support for her husband. She played the role of captain's wife perfectly, organising dinners and cocktail parties with other players' partners.

But once she was alone with Becks, she could not hide the hurt and betrayal she under-standably feels.

The friend said: "It's been so hectic that they haven't had enough time to work through all the problems.

"It is by no means clear if Victoria really will leave England for good and put the boys into Spanish schools."

Becks, 29, and Posh, 30 - who should be celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary a week today - were back at their Hertfordshire mansion yesterday. The friend added: "David is really wobbly. He claims he can't even talk to Victoria properly and has been asking friends if they can do anything to help."

Posh's spokeswoman said: "I know nothing about any blazing rows. Victoria has been very supportive of David and would have been at all the other games if England had progressed.

"The whole family are very happy personally. They are all still moving to Spain and Brooklyn is going to school there.

"They have got lots of plans for projects that haven't been announced publicly yet."

She added: "David has talked openly about his performance and fitness and given his explanations."

1:55 AM
t.r.a.c.y

POSH & BECKS: MARRIAGE IN CRISIS

By Ben Todd Showbiz Editor

DAVID and Victoria Beckham are facing a new marriage crisis following a series of behind-the-scenes bust-ups during Euro 2004.

Despite the smiles in front of the cameras, the troubles have left David "at the end of his tether", according to those close to the star.

"You could see it on his face during the Portugal match. He is running out of patience," one associate of the 29-year-old England captain said.

"David is a shattered, broken and beaten man." "

Friends of the couple tell of simmering tensions which frequently erupt into spats and arguments.

While in Portugal the pair rowed over:

-Posh's plan to stay in a villa during Euro 2004, not in the hotel with other players' wives and girlfriends (WAGs).

-The way she purposely ignored staff from David's former agents and how she behaves like a "Queen Bee".

-Her giggly drinking display following England's loss.

At one point guests in the team hotel witnessed an amazing bust-up during which they heard Victoria scream at her husband that she was "bored with him, bored with football" and "didn't want to spend the rest of her life in his shadow".

The once-golden couple have also been hit by a widening gulf between David and Victoria's parents Tony and Jackie - with the Real Madrid star and his in-laws barely on speaking terms.

One close friend of Victoria's said: "David and Victoria may have made a point of playing happy families but behind the scenes there is a lot of tension.

"The Rebecca Loos scandal has left a lot of bad feeling. Although she still wants to believe David did nothing with Loos, Victoria has been deeply scarred by the experience and she won't let him forget it.

"David is fed up with being told what to do. Being in Spain and on his own for so much of the time last year, gave him a lot of confidence.

"It made him a stronger person, prepared to stand up to his wife - and that's led to big problems."

The Sunday Mirror can reveal that David was furious when he found out Victoria was planning to stay at a private villa during the tournament - rather than joining the so-called WAGs of the other England stars at the Penha Longa hotel. Posh initially planned to stay with sons Brooklyn, five, and 22-month-old Romeo at a private rented villa - snubbing the team complex near Lisbon. But when Becks heard of her plans he was furious. The business associate of David's said: "David was astonished when he learned of Victoria's plans. He made it clear that he was the England captain and she was the England captain's wife and should behave like it. He told her she had to stay in the hotel.

"She was surprised by how upset he was and tried to make amends by organising 'wives nights out' and being big buddies with everyone. But while the other girls went on shopping trips in Lisbon, Victoria flew to Paris."

On another occasion, Becks was furious after Posh blanked staff from sporting agency SFX - the company which appointed his former PA Rebecca Loos and which represents some of the other England stars.

Then, on Thursday night after England's penalty shoot-out heartache, families and players retired to the Solplay hotel in Lisbon for informal drinks.

Victoria was puffing on a cigar and knocking back drinks as Becks and the rest of the team struggled to come to terms with the defeat, according to one who saw her. She even went round the wives and girlfriends breathing into their faces to show the strength of the shorts she was drinking.

A family member of one of the England team said: "Victoria was certainly enjoying the drink. And as the night wore on, she became more chatty. After a while she was wandering around the party saying, 'David has told me to take things easy and slow things down a bit'."

The family member continued: "There was lots of food and several different dishes to be had from the buffet. But Posh didn't touch anything - she just kept going to the bar and ordering her shorts while David sat around long-faced."

Another source close to the England squad told of a huge row during the tournament.

He said: "I heard them having a blazing row as they were coming out of her suite one afternoon.

"She was telling him that she was bored with him, bored with football, bored with having to be around the other players, bored with matches and bored with his behaviour.

"She also said she was not prepared to spend the rest of her life living in his shadow, having her life dominated by football." On Friday morning - just hours after Becks' penalty miss - he was on the phone to a friend "in an absolute state".

Another friend said: "Of course he is blaming himself for England's defeat. But more than that, he has become a nervous wreck."

Victoria's security guards have also complained about her mood-swings during the tournament, saying she is "moody, rude and unpredictable".

One bodyguard said after the Portugal defeat: "The only good thing about England leaving the tournament is that now we can go on holiday."

Since the allegations of Becks' affair with Loos broke, the couple have kept a united public front. But behind the scenes, the marriage has been under increasing pressure. One close associate revealed: "David and Victoria have always known how to react publicly - and that the show must go on. But when they are in private, they're completely different.

"They both love their children dearly but the pressure of recent months has really affected their relationship."

The situation has deteriorated so much that Becks is now not even on speaking terms with his mother-in-law Jackie Adams, according to friends. One said: "They're not even talking. Jackie has taken the Loos business very hard indeed. She is very loyal to her daughter."

On Thursday while many of the England players' relatives were in the Stadium Of Light watching the team, Tony and Jackie were back in the UK. They didn't even watch the match on TV. Instead they joined Rod Stewart, Penny Lancaster, Liz Hurley and Kylie Minogue at Sir Elton John's White Tie and Tiara Ball in Windsor, Berks.

A guest there said: "It was amazing to think their son-in-law was captaining England in such a big match but they had decided not to go out there or even watch it on TV."

Yesterday David and Victoria were at home in "Beckingham Palace" in Sawbridgeworth, Herts, following the England team's return from Portugal.

They are planning to go on a family holiday to the South of France early next week. Afterwards Victoria and Sol Campbell's girlfriend, Kelly Hoppen, have organised a party on a yacht in the Mediterranean for the players, WAGs and close friends.

However Victoria's celebrity-loving lifestyle still gnaws at Becks. One friend said: "David has become increasingly irritated at Victoria's attitude to football.

"She thinks it's funny that she doesn't understand the offside rule and the intricacies of the game. But it's David's livelihood. And after his family the most important thing in his life.

"He could laugh off her attitude when he was winning all the time - but with his football in the doldrums it's no longer a laughing matter."

Despite all his problems David will have little time for reflection. On July 14, he is due back for training with Real under their new disciplinarian coach, Jose Camacho.

1:54 AM
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FIGO: YOU CAN'T PUT THE BLAME ON BECKS

By Paul Smith

LUIS FIGO has leapt to the defence of under-fire club-mate David Beckham.

England skipper Beckham has been branded ineffective during Euro 2004, but Figo insists the criticism his Real Madrid colleague has received is nothing short of a disgrace.

Figo said: "People seem to have a extremely short memory and forget that without David Beckham England wouldn't have been in Portugal in the first place.

"It has been an extremely long and difficult season and you can't expect players to perform to an unrealistic level.

"Perhaps it's natural to look at the biggest player and blame him. But when you fail you have to take collective responsibility.

"Personally I felt England's tactics were wrong against us. Is that down to David Beckham?

"They were inviting us forward and that is a very dangerous way to play against Portugal."

Figo added: "I know David prefers to play in the heart of the midfield and feels he is more effective in that role. But for some reason Sven Goran Eriksson continues to play him on the right and I feel against the player's wishes.

"Beckham likes to see a lot of the ball. But when you're stuck out on the right you have to come and get the ball more often if the service is poor.

"I don't think we saw the best of Beckham in this tournament, but he would probably be the first to admit he was struggling with his fitness after the season that has passed.

"But England failed to reach the semi-final because Portugal were the better side and responsibility for that falls on the shoulders of every one involved. Not just one man."

Figo, who was substituted against England, can expect much the same treatment if Portugal fail to progress to the final.

He said: "While the people of Portugal are deliriously happy at the moment, I'm sure that will give way to anger if we don't win the tournament."

1:51 AM
t.r.a.c.y

SVEN: I WANTED TO TAKE DAVID OFF

Exclusive By Anthony Clavane

FOR the first time, it is clear that David Beckham is not untouchable.

Sven Goran Eriksson has revealed that he wanted to replace the England skipper against Portugal.

Only the fact that Wayne Rooney was injured, Steven Gerrard got cramp and Paul Scholes's legs went prevented Becks being taken off for the first time in a competitive international.

Since making his debut against Moldova eight years ago, Beckham has played 72 times for his country - and he has never been subbed in a competitive game.

But Eriksson admitted his captain's form and fitness have both been below par.

The coach said: "We have seen Beckham better as an individual player. His discipline was good, he stayed in position and did what we asked him to do.

"But if I could have changed more than two or three players at the end of the game against Portugal, I would have brought Beckham off.

"The thing was, Paul Scholes's legs weren't working very well so we took him off. Gerrard had cramp, so what do you do?"

If Becks had suffered the ultimate humiliation, he wouldn't have been around to miss his third successive penalty in Thursday night's dramatic shoot-out.

It would have capped a miserable season for the Real Madrid star, who has surely been the biggest loser of Euro 2004.

He desperately needed a good tournament to re-establish himself as a world-class player - instead, he had a nightmare. Beckham's stuttering form here in Portugal has reportedly convinced the Madrid boardroom that they should be looking for a buyer for him.

But Eriksson, while praising the way England played as a team, thought there were other key players who failed to deliver in Portugal.

He said: "Maybe our midfield could have played a little bit better.

"To win a big tournament we need our four big players - Beckham, Scholes, Gerrard and Michael Owen - to be at the top of their game.

"We don't need a new generation coming through. This generation we have is still young and they could play in 2006, and most of them in 2008.

"How old is Beckham - 29? When he is 31 he will be even better. Steven Gerrard, he's 23.

"But there are also some new players like Jermain Defoe we'll look at because he's quick and he's a goalscorer.

"Our successes in Portugal have been Sol Campbell, who is a rock. He could have been a match-winner on Thursday. And Ashley Cole had an extremely good tournament.

"You might say that some of them could be more brilliant. I'll agree with that. But in terms of team discipline they worked very well together.

"I was always convinced that we could win it - we didn't, and I'm sorry about that.

"I've lost many football games in my life, but to lose like this against Portugal is awful."

1:49 AM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKS FIT TO DROP

Simon Mullock Reports From Lisbon

DAVID BECKHAM has lifted the lid on his year from hell with a series of sensational revelations.

Beckham, speaking in the aftermath of England's devastating Euro 2004 penalty shoot-out exit at the hands of Portugal, has been tormented by a lack of form on the pitch and a string of lurid allegations about his private life off it.

There have even been calls for the England captaincy to be taken off the Real Madrid midfielder after 12 months which he himself admits have been "intolerable".

In an emotional interview, Beckham:

Revealed how he has struggled to adapt to life in Madrid following his shock £25million move from Manchester United last summer;

Vowed that he will be prepared to question his future at Real if his family fail to settle in the Spanish capital over the coming months;

Admitted that he wasn't 100 per cent fit going into Euro 2004 after a series of injuries and a change of football culture in Spain;

Accepted that his problems off the pitch have affected his game.

Beckham said: "There really have been times during the past year that my life has become intolerable.

"My life is full of three or four cars following me all the time - even when I am taking my two children to play in the park. I want my children to enjoy their lives, but sometimes I can't go out of the front door without things going crazy. In Manchester, I could go to the Trafford Centre and walk around with my family with very few problems. That kind of thing isn't possible in Madrid.

"It's been said that the problem has been that I have been on my own a lot in Spain, but my family have been with me a lot more often than most people think.

"My wife was with me for most of the time, apart from when Brooklyn was at school back in England. It's great when they are around and we have finally got Brooklyn in a school in Spain.

"But we didn't send him last year because of something Zinedine Zidane told me. His children were in school over there and for the first few months there were people filming them in the playground.

"If we go over there as a family this year and that kind of thing happens then I would have to take a long look at it again. I've always maintained that I will never put my children in that kind of situation.

"My family are No.1 and my football is No.2 - and that's the way it will always be. I am very protective about my two boys.

"I have heard people criticise me for doing photo-shoots with them. Let me put this right - I have never done a photo-shoot with my kids. I never have and I never will.

"People ask me if my commercial activities are affecting me and I always say no. I don't have any regrets about my lifestyle.

"Some situations I have been pushed into, but others have been of my own choice. I feel I can live the life I want and also protect my children. It's been a difficult time, but this is my life and it's my wife's life. You either lie back and let people batter you or you come out fighting. We've come out fighting."

Beckham, 29, admits the hype surrounding him has taken its toll during a year which began with the upheaval of being booted out of Old Trafford.

He faded at Real after some glittering early performances and the Spanish giants finished the season without a trophy.

Off the field there were claims that his marriage was on the rocks and allegations that he had been having an affair with PR Rebecca Loos.

There were also suggestions during England's doomed Euro 2004 campaign that Beckham had lost his spark. And when he miskicked his penalty in the dramatic defeat by Portugal in Lisbon it was a moment that encapsulated the most turbulent year of the Londoner's headline-making life.

Beckham said: "I've overcome some hurdles in my career and in my life. I will continue to do that.

"At the moment this is a big disappointment, but I am man enough and strong enough to come through it.

"People are looking for something and for me to do something, but I am just not prepared to give them what they want.

"I've recently had to explain some things to my son about winning and losing. He has just started playing football and wants to score in every match. I've been telling him that you can't win everything.

"He has even got to win arcade games. It is hard telling a child that he can't win all the time.

"But maybe this time, after what happened against Portugal, he'll have to explain it all back to me."

Beckham added: "Maybe my fitness wasn't what it should have been going into Euro 2004. We don't do the amount of conditioning work at Real that I used to do at United. That's just the way it is in Spain.

"But the life I have does take up a lot of energy. I mean, you even have to plan how to take a trip to the local supermarket without being photographed.

"Once I get on to the pitch I try to black out all the off-the-field stuff, but there are times when you can't help but think about it.

"It's been hard this season - both on and off the pitch - because of certain situations that have arisen.

"I'll take the criticism that's coming my way, but I am the type who will fight back. People don't always realise just how strong I am as a person.

"If they want to write me off then I'll keep coming back at them until I have won."

YEAR OF MISERY

Jul 2 Leaves Manchester Utd for Real Madrid in £25m deal

Aug 30 Dream debut in La Liga as he scores in third minute and Madrid go on to win 2-1

Oct 10 Misses penalty as England draw 0-0 in Turkey to secure place in Euro 2004 finals

Nov 26 Scores in 2-1 Champions League victory at Marseille - his last goal of the season

Mar-Apr Rocked by sensational allegations that he had affair with PR girl Rebecca Loos

May 16 Sent off as Real crash to relegated Murcia. They finish without a trophy

Jun 13 Misses penalty as England lose to France in Euro 2004 opener

Jun 24 Crowns dismal tournament by missing penalty in shoot-out defeat by Portugal.

1:49 AM
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BECKS HELL

DAVID BECKHAM has admitted for the first time he may be ready to quit Real Madrid.

The England captain's miserable season ended when he missed a penalty in the Euro 2004 exit against Portugal.

And now he has revealed that he has found it hard to adapt to life in the Spanish capital.

Becks says his future will lie away from the Bernabeu if wife Victoria and sons Brooklyn and Romeo fail to settle in Madrid over the next few months.

The news is bound to alert admirers Chelsea.

Beckham said: "I want my children to enjoy their lives but sometimes during this last year it has been intolerable.

"We didn't send Brooklyn to a school in Spain last year.

"That was because Zinedine Zidane told me that when he had sent his children to one, there were people filming them in the playground.

"If we go over there as a family and that kind of thing happens, then I would have to take a long look at it again.

"We have now got Brooklyn into a school over there and I want to be a Real Madrid player, but I have always maintained that I would never put my children in that kind of situation."

Beckham, 29, has been forced to endure a torrid 12 months since his £25million departure to Real from Manchester United last summer.

He enjoyed some brilliant early performances at the Bernabeu.

But the Spanish giants suffered a dramatic collapse in the La Liga title race, an early exit from the Champions League and were beaten in the final of the Copa del Rey to finish the season empty-handed.

Off the field, Beckham has been dogged by rumours that his marriage to pop star wife Victoria is on the rocks and allegations of an affair with PR girl Rebecca Loos.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich wants to bring the Leytonstone-born midfielder back to London.

And the Russian billionaire may now get his wish during the January transfer window if Beckham's fortunes in Madrid fail to improve.

EURO 2004: DAVID HAD SECRET INJURY

DAVID BECKHAM needed constant treatment on an ankle injury suffered in the opening Euro 2004 win over France.

Beckham has been criticised for his below-par performances for Sven Goran Eriksson's side.

But a senior FA insider said: "David had to receive intensive treatment for the ankle injury throughout the tournament. To his credit he never attempted to use the injury to deflect criticism of his performances for England. He got kicked in the ankle twice in the France game and after he was treated by England's medical staff he got another blow to the same ankle against Switzerland.

"It was nasty and other players might have been tempted to pull out of a game. He never moaned or complained."

EVERTON WILL LET WAYNE GO

EVERTON have conceded defeat in their attempts to hold on to Wayne Rooney.

An imminent bid from Manchester United is set to spark his departure.

Rooney, 18, will NOT submit a written transfer request. He met his agent Paul Stretford yesterday.

But a fee between £25m and £30m should secure his services.

United want him to move this summer but Everton hope to keep him until the January transfer window.

Goodison supremo Bill Kenwright is expected to meet with Manchester United chief executive, David Gill in the next 10 days.

Rooney will start cycling and swimming within four weeks after breaking a bone in his foot at Euro 2004.

OWEN'S NEW DEAL

MICHAEL OWEN will sign a new £65,000-a-week, two-year deal at Liverpool.

Owen has one year left on his present contract and could begin talks with foreign clubs in January under the Bosman ruling.

However he will give new boss Rafael Benitez a chance to improve Liverpool's fortunes.

But his Anfield team-mate Steven Gerrard could seal a move to Chelsea within the next 10 days.

The two clubs are aiming to meet this week to thrash out a £36million transfer.

Gerrard is under pressure from fans and friends to stay in Merseyside.

But he still seems certain to join Roman Abramovich's Stamford Bridge revolution.

1:47 AM
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Becks penalty lands in Spain

LISBON, June 27 (Reuters) - England captain David Beckham's wayward penalty in the European Championship quarter-final against Portugal has ended up in northern Spain.

England's first attempt in the shootout which followed Thursday's 2-2 draw landed in the hands of a 25-year-old Spaniard who said he was taking it home to Galicia.

'I play basketball and when the ball came in my direction, I jumped, caught the ball with one hand and put it under my shirt,' Pablo Carral told the Portuguese sports daily A Bola on Sunday. 'I'm keeping it as a great trophy.

'We were sitting in row Q. So you can imagine how much that shot missed by.'

1:46 AM
t.r.a.c.y

How Real regime hurt Becks

All of England is looking for a scapegoat after another major tournament disappointment, but captain David Beckham is not the man they should pinpoint. He is a sad victim of circumstance.

Instead, there is good reason to direct plenty of flak towards Florentino Perez and Jorge Valdano, the president and sporting director of Real Madrid last season, for Beckham's troubling fitness levels at Euro 2004.

It was Perez and Valdano who directed transfer operations at the Bernabeu in the 2003/04 season, with coach Carlos Queiroz's hands tied, and Madrid were damned from the first whistle of last season when they began the campaign with a bare-bones squad.

Beckham's surprise that much of last season's training was spent focusing on ballwork, rather than the fitness and physical element of the game, was revealed after England's Euro 2004 elimination.

He said: 'I don't think we do as much conditioning work in Madrid as we did at United.

'That is the way it is in the Spanish league. I didn't feel as fit in the second half of last season.

'Maybe it has spilled over into this tournament but I am not going to make excuses.'

Queiroz asked for additional players to bolster his squad, and upon his dismissal at the end of a trophyless season, the coach admitted that he almost walked away from the club in January when Perez and Valdano failed to act on his requests.

'I said to the club, let's think about the squad in December and take the key decisions,' said Queiroz.

'You can't have a squad of 21 players and have Real Madrid's ambitions. I said at the start of the season we needed 23 or 24. I was very worried about a squad as short as that and with so little experience.'

As a result, Queiroz's training sessions often constituted very little more than warm-up routines, and technical exercises.

He could not afford training-ground injuries to any of the `Galacticos', the club's superstar element.

So important are the likes of Beckham, Ronaldo, Raul, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos, that Queiroz would not risk any strains, twists or muscle tears in training.

They were not pampered, because these players were playing every match, often two per week given the club's Champions League and Copa del Rey commitments,

But there were no suitable replacements, and a direct consequence of the star sextet playing hard but being short on fitness training was that their performances tailed off to disastrous effect over the closing three months of season.

Beckham was not the only Euro 2004 flop from Real Madrid.

If you blinked, you missed Raul, while Zinedine Zidane scored three goals but was just two minutes away from a massive French media backlash in their opening game against England.

He showed genius with the free-kick equaliser and then thumped home the winning penalty, but Zidane was fortunate that such set-piece opportunities presented themselves at an opportune moment.

Ivan Helguera and Raul Bravo were anonymous as the Spaniards bowed out in the first round, while Luis Figo has so far flattered to deceive, even though Portugal are semi-finalists and still alive in the competition.

He has been outshone by Cristiano Ronaldo and was even hauled off in the quarter-final against England, with coach Luiz Felipe Scolari revered for that brave decision.

The long-time hero was sacrificed for some short-term success, as Scolari recognised that Figo's fellow midfielders were starting to `carry' their team-mate, and Portugal were suddenly more threatening for the change.

It might be recalled how Madrid were leading the Primera Liga by eight points in early March, and how they were preparing for a Copa del Rey final against a struggling Real Zaragoza and a Champions League quarter-final against Monaco.

Embarrassing setbacks followed in both cup ties, and with their momentum halted, the league lead evaporated.

Madrid finished fourth, seven points adrift of champions Valencia, and also behind both Barcelona and Deportivo La Coruna.

There was collective burnout in the squad, training sessions saw exhausted players trot through the motions, and the strain told on everyone.

Beckham was sent off in Madrid's penultimate match of the season, Zidane was red-carded two games earlier, Figo the game before that, and defender Francisco Pavon in the previous contest.

March's champions-elect slumped to five straight defeats at the end of the campaign, prompting Queiroz's sacking and Valdano's resignation.

Beckham took a physical and mental beating in 2003/04, and suddenly it seems an age since those days at Manchester United, where Sir Alex Ferguson would astutely let his key men sit out games on a rotational basis.

He might have had his run-ins with the fiery Scot, but as a United player Beckham rarely looked as tired in an England shirt as he did in Lisbon on Thursday.

1:46 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Sunday, June 27, 2004

Becks: Ads aren't to blame

David Beckham has insisted his commercial activities were not responsible for his low-key performances with England during Euro 2004.

The England skipper is constantly in demand and the fruits of his labours were recently demonstrated during a half-time break in one England game when he appeared in three different adverts.

But Beckham has rejected the suggestion his various off-field roles had taken their toll and played a part in leaving him drained as England bowed out at the quarter-final stage to Portugal on Thursday.

The Real Madrid star certainly failed to demonstrate the kind of sparkle which, in the past, has rescued his country when the going has been tough.

Beckham said: 'People say about the commercial activities. I do one or two every month and that's how it is.

'The commercial side has never got in the way of my football and never will do. Obviously there are adverts and people have said about that this summer but that's the way it is.

'That part of my life and my career has never come in the way of my football and I will stand by that. The tiredness is down to the football, not to the commercial activities.

'I've got a launch of a soccer school now, but apart from that, that's it now for the summer.'

Beckham admits England have to improve if they are to end their four-decade wait for a trophy at the 2006 World Cup.

He said: 'I'd like to think we have improved since the last World Cup as I always look for improvement and that's what we'll carry on doing. Everyone wants to improve in their game and their job.

'For the 90 minutes and the extra-time against Portugal, we maybe defended a little bit too much but you can't have any regrets after the game.

'Obviously we can all look at the things that could have happened and would have happened if situations had changed. But we can't go out of this competition and have excuses.

'We look at ourselves as a team and what we can do better and what we can change. That's what we have to look at. If other things, like Sol Campbell's disallowed goal had been allowed, we would have won. But it didn't.

'This team walked off that pitch with a lot of pride. It's not enough, I know, but we can't regret things.

'It might not be the right answer for some people and it might not be enough for some people. But I believe that the players gave everything.'

Beckham is hopeful he will still be wearing England colours at the time of the next European Championships in 2006 although he and several other members of the current squad will be into their 30s.

He said: 'I'd like to think there will be two more tournaments for me but I'm not sure, so we'll see. Hopefully we will end up winning something but who's to know?'

2:37 AM
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Beckham brands year in Madrid 'intolerable'

David Beckham admitted his life in Spain and coping with his superstar status became 'intolerable' at times last season.

The England and Real Madrid star has already committed himself to his club for next season despite a turbulent and trophyless first campaign with the Spanish giants and a disappointing Euro 2004 which ended with a quarter-final defeat to Portugal.

Wife Victoria and sons Brooklyn and Romeo will join him in the Spanish capital, and the Beckhams have enrolled five-year-old Brooklyn in a school in the city.

However, Beckham revealed that he was being hounded so much at times last season that he could no longer go outside his front door and warned that if his son suffers the same treatment as Zinedine Zidane's children - who were filmed as they played in the school playground for up to two months when the Frenchman joined the Spanish giants - then he will have to review his family's situation.

'The intrusion and the invasion into my life is tough because I've got children and I want them to enjoy their lives but people will just say `why's he complaining?',' said Beckham.

'I'm not complaining but of course it's tough. It's tough on any family. Has it become intolerable? I think it's reached that a few times this year because the move to Spain is a new environment,' admitted Beckham, who missed two penalties at Euro 2004, one in the 2-1 defeat against France and the other at the start of the fateful quarter-final shoot-out against Portugal.

'People are not used to me there. In Manchester I was able to go to the Trafford Centre and walk around with my family.

'That's not possible in Spain. I can't go out of my front door and people know that.

'It takes time and energy thinking how you are going to get to the supermarket without being photographed. You've got to think and plan every time you go out the front door. That's the tough part.'

The attention is unlikely to get easier following a season of failure in which Beckham was blamed by some fans for Real Madrid's loss of their Spanish league crown. The team exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage against Monaco, were beaten in the Copa del Rey and lost five successive matches for the first time in their history.

The fans largely blamed Beckham for the distractions of lurid newspaper headlines and for constantly travelling back to Britain to see his family.

However, in the wake of the disappointment of Euro 2004 he is clearly looking forward to being a stable family again when his wife and sons join him in Spain.

And Beckham insisted:'I had them around me more than people realised last season. My wife was there most of the time apart from when Brooklyn was at school. It's always nice to be with your family and we finally have got Brooklyn in a school.

'One of the reasons why Brooklyn didn't go in a school (in Spain) was because of the press attention.

'I was told by Zidane that his children were in school and for the first two months there were people filming his kids in the playground.

'I'm personally not prepared to put my children in that situation. If that's the situation I will take a long look at it. I'm very protective over my children.

'People say I do photo-shoots with my children. I've never done a photo-shoot with my children and never will and as far as I'm concerned I will protect them as much as I can.

'Some situations I've been pushed into, some I've taken of my own accord. I don't regret that because I feel I can protect my children. Unfortunately, this is mine and my wife's life and you either lie down and let everyone batter you or you come out fighting and that's what we'll do as a family.'

Beckham's mind clearly has been a swirl of uncertainty but despite the obvious distractions he maintains that once he crosses the white line on match day he is able to focus entirely on his football.

'I think situations always affect you,' he said.

'To have pressure on a person day in and day out, whether it is good or bad, it does come to a point where you've got to say enough is enough.

'Unfortunately that is my life. It's full of four and five cars following me every day everywhere I go, to the park with my children. But when I'm on that football pitch nothing comes into that scene.

'Do my commercial activities come in the way of my football? No. People might think they do and people might think I'm doing something day in and day out but I do one or two things a month and that is it.

'I don't do as much as people think I do. Yes, there's adverts out there and photographs of me but people stick pictures of me on magazines week in and week out and say `Exclusive' and people think I've done an exclusive.

'I've come to terms with the fact that that's the way my life is and I will overcome this.

'Once I'm on that football pitch I blank everything out. When you have tough times on a football pitch occasionally you think about what's going on but I never ever want to regret anything and I never will.

'It has been tough this season on and off the pitch because of certain situations but I'm a strong enough person.

'I've got to be strong enough because I'm a father, I've got to look after two little boys and look after a wife.

'When I'm down they pick me up, and when they're down I pick them up.

'My family are number one, my football is number two and that's the way it will always be.'

2:34 AM
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Saturday, June 26, 2004

We have the young talent to take that next stride forward

By Gary Neville

YESTERDAY was one of those days when you wonder whether it will always be like this; whether you will ever be good enough to win a big trophy. But ask me again in August and I will say that we have the players and manager to make one leading tournament go our way.

I am just gutted that it was not Euro 2004, because we were totally sincere when we said we could win it. It is never easy talking the day after departing a tournament because it sounds like you are trying to make excuses, but I do believe that we were only just on the wrong side of a thin dividing line.

I am not saying we deserved to win or that Portugal deserved to lose but, just once, it would be nice to get those close calls that decide a big game. We had the disallowed goal from Sol Campbell and even the circumstances of the penalties were unbelievable. David Beckham slipped and John Terry was actually aiming for the other corner with his. That’s the third shoot-out I have lost as an England player.

Then there was Wayne Rooney going off with his broken bone, which was a big lift for them. Portugal looked all at sea in that first 20 minutes every time Michael Owen and Wayne got among the centre backs. Wayne was looking unstoppable and he was filling that gap between midfield and attack, which gives the team a different dimension. Who knows if we might have scored the second goal if he had stayed on. Wayne has made an incredible impact but, as Michael showed after 1998, that doesn’t mean your life has to change.

I know these are all ifs and maybes but it is hard not to believe we came close to something special. As Sven-Göran Eriksson reminded us when he sat us down yesterday, we have lost only three competitive games. One of those was against France when we let in two goals in the last few minutes, one a penalty shoot-out and the other to Brazil, who went on to become world champions.

There will be the big debate now about whether we are good enough; whether we were fooling ourselves when we said we could win the competition. Portugal did keep the ball well and put us under amazing pressure but I don’t think we should beat ourselves up about our passing after every tournament. I watched Portugal dominate Spain in just the same way.

This team has passed the ball as decisively and confidently as any of the England teams I have been involved in. We are at our best with a different style and we just need to keep taking the strides forward that we have already made under Sven, who is the best England manager I have known.

We always seem to have to find a scapegoat when we go out of any tournament but no one can point to any individuals. Nobody deserves to be nailed.

There are positives such as the impact made by Wayne and Thursday night’s performance from Ashley Cole, which was one of the best defensive displays I have seen. Watching him against Cristiano Ronaldo was a match in itself. Ashley must have tackled him 30 times in the 120 minutes and Cristiano still kept coming back at him.

This is certainly not like four years ago, when we left Euro 2000 wondering where on earth we went from there. Sometimes you think your time is up but what is so gutting is that we felt there was more to come from us. There was a real feeling that we were not ready to go home.

We have a good squad, with young talent like Scott Parker, Glen Johnson, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Jermain Defoe coming through, and we have a manager who brings the best out of his players. I am not going to say that the 2006 World Cup is our best chance of success because I said a few weeks ago that we had to turn it on here, in Portugal. But going out on penalties is not a cause for despair.

8:49 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Neville: No-one to blame for exit

Gary Neville insists England should not look for any scapegoats for their Euro 2004 exit and has lent his support to coach Sven Goran Eriksson.

England tumbled out of the competition after an agonising penalty shoot-out defeat to hosts Portugal in Thursday's enthralling quarter final.

Eriksson's side had a seemingly legitimate winner by Sol Campbell ruled out in injury time but Neville is not looking for someone to blame for England's defeat, either in terms of referee Urs Meier or penalty villains David Beckham and Darius Vassell.

Instead, the full back has backed Eriksson and hailed his impact as coach despite England's defensive tactics, and inability to keep possession, appearing to play a key role in their downfall.

"It is hard not to believe that we came close to something special," Neville told his column in The Times.

"There will be a big debate now about whether we are good enough, whether we were fooling ourselves when we said we could win the competition.

"Portugal did keep the ball well and put us under amazing pressure but I don't think we should beat ourselves up about our passing after every tournament.

"This team has passed the ball as decisively and confidently as any of the England teams I have been involved in.

"We are at our best with a different style and we just need to keep taking the strides forward that we have already made under Sven, who is the best England manager I have known."

The Manchester United defender does not feel there is a need to hold a prolonged inquest in to England's failure to progress beyond the quarter finals of the European Championship.

Neville prefers to look to the future and the promising group of players at Eriksson's disposal, rather than dwell on the heartache of losing on penalties.

He continued: "We have a good squad with young talent like Scott Parker, Glen Johnson, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Jermain Defoe coming through and we have a manager who brings the best out of his players.

"I am not going to say that the 2006 World Cup is our best chance of success because I said a few weeks ago that we had to turn it on here, in Portugal.

"But going out on penalties is not a cause for despair."

8:45 PM
t.r.a.c.y

UEFA: 'No official England pitch complaint'

LISBON, June 25 (Reuters) - England made no official complaint about the penalty spot in Lisbon's Luz stadium before Thursday's match with Portugal which England lost in a shootout, UEFA said on Friday.

England lost 6-5 on penalties after captain David Beckham skied the ball over the bar, pointing at the spot afterwards as if blaming the state of the pitch for his mistake.

England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson later said he had complained twice to UEFA before the match about the state of the penalty spot.

UEFA communications director William Gaillard told a news conference: 'I don't think there was an official complaint as far as I know.

'The state of the pitches has been outstanding here. One player had a particular problem with it but not the others. Everyone can draw their own conclusions.' Meanwhile, the pitch has been described as 'unacceptable' and 'embarrassing' by sports ground expert Dave Saltman.

Saltman, a former head groundsman at the Millennium Stadium and Molineux, runs www.pitchcare.com, an online magazine for groundsmen.

He was taken aback at the state of the pitch at the Stadium of Light as he watched the game which saw England eliminated in a shoot-out after extra-time.

The penalty spot had disintegrated during the match with David Beckham and Rui Costa badly miskicking on the sandy surface.

'I would say it was unacceptable,' he said. 'It's embarrassing for the groundsman.'

The surface at the stadium is sand-based, like most modern pitches, with the turf made up of 70% sand and 30% soil laid on eight inches of more sand.

This means the chances of the mudbaths seen at grounds 20 years ago has been greatly reduced but the pitch does need regular watering with most ground in this country watered up to kick-off.

And Saltman is confident the Lisbon groundsman would have been well aware of the damage to the pitch before the game started and should have transplanted new turf into the problem area.

'Most of the groundsmen in this country would have known about it and would have dealt with it,' he said. 'It's just not worth chancing it.'

Last season's play-off final between West Ham and Crystal Palace presented Saltman with a comparable problem as he had to perform emergency surgery before the Second Division final the following day.

He said: 'We had a firework burn just outside the centre circle. We took out the burnt area and transplanted in new turf.'

8:44 PM
t.r.a.c.y

POSH COULD RUIN BECKS

By Oliver Holt

AWAY from the cameras, David Beckham sat in a small side-room at England's training camp yesterday and held his shaven head in his hands.

He looked like a broken man. A man who is gradually being stripped of his reputation on and off the football pitch. A man who doesn't know how to stop the slide.

His image as a doting husband and father was tarnished before Euro 2004 when he was accused of conducting a string of extra-marital affairs since his transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid.

Then Wayne Rooney emerged with a series of mesmerising performances to steal away Beckham's status as the nation's footballing icon - and take the spotlight he craves.

And finally, yesterday, he had to sit and listen as reporters suggested to him that he had lost the confidence of the country as England captain and that he should quit.

In that small room, a few of us asked him what was wrong.

Why had he played so poorly during England's doomed participation in the European Championship?

What had happened to the player who used to dominate matches so completely? What had happened to the Captain Marvel who once could do no wrong and now can do precious little right?

Beckham didn't have any answers.

He looked too weary and too disillusioned to even try too hard to provide any. His eyes glistened with suppressed emotion. Occasionally, he snapped back at one of his questioners.

At the end of the questions, someone chuckled bitterly at one of Beckham's rare attempts at optimism. "What are you laughing at?" Beckham hissed at him.

Nobody's laughing now. Not where Beckham's concerned. Everybody just wants to know whether he can ever get back to where he once was.

To do that, he will have to make some tough choices.

Choices that involve his private life and his commercial activities for a long line of sponsors headed by adidas, Pepsi, Vodafone and Police sunglasses. Beyond all Beckham's denials, it is clear that by the time he arrived in Portugal, he was drained of energy.

There was nothing left in the tank. He was running on empty.

Mentally and physically, the England captain is exhausted.

HE is caught in a slowly closing trap of trying to satisfy his sponsors, save his marriage and salvage his reputation as a world class midfielder.

Beckham wasted a rare chance for a summer break last year by chasing around the world trying to boost his wife's career in America and promote his own endorsements in the Far East. The high-profile trip to the States, in particular, lent more weight to arguments that Victoria Beckham's thirst for publicity was undermining her husband's football career.

Her obsessive need to be in the public eye constantly is at odds with a footballer's need for rest and recuperation whenever he can grab it. The reality is that their worlds do not complement each other.

If she does not start to make compromises, she risks being seen as the Yoko Ono. The woman who split Beckham from his domination of the game he loves.

After 10 days in America, he spent another fortnight in Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam, shooting adverts on beaches and promoting a range of products, from Japanese chocolate to beauty products and Japanese Vodafone.

When he returned from that trip, he joined up with Madrid and then promptly flew back to the Far East for a debilitating tour of the region that many later blamed on the team's disastrous end to last season.

He had hoped that his wife and children would join him in Spain but Victoria changed her mind about enrolling their sons Brooklyn and Romeo in schools there and ensured they remained at their base in Hertfordshire instead.

As the season wore on, Beckham commuted between England and Spain on an almost daily basis, another factor in his steady demise as a footballer.

THE problem is that a large part of Beckham's effectiveness as a player was his incredible work-rate.

He relied on his fitness, not natural talent, to make him the player he was. Even by his own admission, that fitness has been eroded.

The England physios noticed it immediately when he joined up with the squad at the end of May.

Without that fitness, he is only half the player who became such a hero.

This summer, he said yesterday, he is finally going to try to get some rest. "I have got the summer off," he said, although he did add a worrying caveat. "I have got the launch of a soccer school but apart from that, that is it."

I hope his sponsors are worried. I hope adidas and Vodafone can see what's happening. I hope they can seen David Beckham shrinking before our eyes. I wish they could have seen him holding his head in his hands yesterday.

I wish they had the intelligence to realise they are killing the goose that is laying their golden eggs.

HIS ACTION-PACKED YEAR

JUL 2003: Leaves Manchester United for Real Madrid for £25m. Signs four-year deal.

JUL-AUG: Three week pre-season tour of Asia with Real Madrid. Back to England to play in 3-1 friendly win over Croatia.

SEP: Two European Championships qualifiers for England in four days. Scores in win at Macedonia. Captain in win over Liechtenstein.

OCT: Misses penalty in England's European Championship 0-0 draw in Istanbul. Out-parties rock star Robbie Williams at Calle Serrano 41 club in Madrid following Champions League game against Partizan Belgrade.

NOV: Leaves Spain to play in England's 3-2 friendly defeat at home to Denmark. Flies back to London to collect OBE from the Queen. Book signings in Manchester and London.

JAN 2004: Filmed in London with a host of top footballers for Pepsi's Dare for More campaign. Films Beckham's hotshots in Spain for CBBC with eight contest winners from England.

FEB: Filmed sleeping for 67 minutes by video artist Sam Taylor-Wood.Training in England before 1-1 friendly draw in Portugal.

MARCH: Travels to adidas HQ in Germany to reveal personal logo and contract extension.

APRIL: Joins wife Victoria for crisis talks on a skiing holiday in Verbier, Switzerland, amid allegations of affair with Rebecca Loos. Launches adidas Predator boots.

MAY: To London to play three minutes of Martin Keown testimonial 24 hours after being sent off at Real Madrid's 2-1 loss against Murcia. Announces Gillette sponsorship deal reportedly worth £40m.

JUNE: FA summer tournament games against Japan and Iceland despite injury fears over an old ankle problem. Fails to impress at Euro 2004, missing crucial spot kicks against France and Portugal.

8:23 PM
t.r.a.c.y

A MISTAKE? NEIN!

By Paul Byrne And Jeremy Armstrong In Portugal

THE Swiss referee blamed by England fans for ruling out Sol Campbell's last-minute winner said yesterday: "I was right."

Urs Meier, 45, added: "I was about 10 metres away and there was a foul on the goalkeeper."

Meier's girlfriend Nicole Petignat - herself an international referee - agreed with him. "It was a clear foul, I don't know why people are complaining," she said.

Nicole added that Portugal deserved to win and England players were "looking for an excuse".

Meier's decision cost England a 2-1 quarter-final win over Portugal in Euro 2004 - and ultimately condemned the nation to more shoot-out agony after 30 minutes extra-time.

As defender Campbell headed home in the last minute of normal time, Meier spotted what he thought was a foul on goalkeeper Ricardo by Chelsea's John Terry.

Yesterday, with supporters still furious at his judgment, Meier said: "I have seen the replay and I think it was John Terry who put his shoulder around the goalkeeper, which meant that he could not jump.

"He had no chance to get the ball. It was not a foul by Campbell, nein, but the other player, Terry I think - I am not sure if he was the player.

"But I am sure that I made the right decision. You should have another look at the TV replays to check, if you do not believe me."

Meier, a father-of-two who runs an electrical hardware shop at home, was spoken to after the Lisbon match by Sven Goran Eriksson. Talking from the officials' hotel at Espinho near Porto, Meier said there was a problem with the penalty spot, from where Beckham and Darius Vassell missed two spot-kicks.

Meier - who booked 10 players and sent off another in the group game between Russia and Spain - said: "It was not because the pitch was especially dry with the sun on the field, but it was more down to the soft sand around it.

"I felt sorry for Beckham taking the first kick. I did not decide which end to use. That was decided on the toss of a coin." Girlfriend Nicole, 37, who blames Beckham for England's exit, said of the Campbell ruling: "It was the right decision. I'd have blown for the goal to be disallowed myself."

She added: "I think the real reason for England's defeat was David Beckham. He didn't play well and I couldn't believe he was taking the first penalty. Why, I asked myself, he's under a lot of pressure and has missed two earlier penalties for England."

Nicole, the first woman to referee a UEFA Cup match, is a medical therapist who lives with Meier on the outskirts of Zurich. She was once married to a Moroccan footballer.

Nicole said Meier had changed his image to be more recognisable for Euro 2004. He swapped his normal haircut for a bleached goatee beard with highlights in his gelled hair.

"I like it," said Nicole. "It's more like a player, like Beckham."

England fans can log on to a protest website about Meier, set up by Romania supporters after the referee's handling of their game with Denmark in a Euro 2004 qualifier. It already has 17,000 comments.

Rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward, a World Cup winner now on tour with England in Australia, saw the Portugal game from 4.45am local time.

He called defeat "gut-wrenching" and said: "I can't believe the referee didn't give the goal."

Irish Premier Bertie Ahern said at a Westminster press conference: "I honestly believe the Sol Campbell goal was a goal." Tony Blair agreed with him. Bookmaker William Hill will still pay out to anyone who backed Campbell to score at 8-1 and to those who had a 33-1 wager on him scoring the last goal of normal time.

Spokesman Graham Sharpe said: "We are convinced it was legitimate. This makes our feelings public." It will cost the firm up to £100,000.

8:05 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKHAM IS UNRE-PEN-TANT

By Oliver Holt

FOR a moment, it seemed David Beckham was about to cry. Tears of anger as much as of disappointment and misery.

Instead, he blinked them back and settled for a show of defiance in front of those who were questioning his fitness to remain as England captain.

He was not repentant. He said he did not see any need to feel regretful for any aspect of his own or England's performances in Euro 2004, despite the failure to progress beyond the last eight on Thursday night.

"I was proud of the team against Portugal," he said.

"As we sat in the dressing room afterwards, I was proud to be their captain. I don't think we have let anyone down."

As the inquests into England's defeat to the hosts began in earnest, Beckham did not budge an inch.

He rounded on his persecutors. He spat out his disgust that anyone might even think he should consider resigning as the team's leader.

He even said he would carry on taking the penalties. Forget the miss against France and the horribly botched attempt in the ill-fated shoot-out against Portugal. It would still be his job.

"Do you think I can't inspire the team any more?", he snapped at the man from Channel 4 News. "Do you think that? If people want to question that, then fair enough.

"But I will not be resigning as England captain unless the manager wants me to. I want to stay as England captain.

"As long as the players and the manager want me as England captain, it doesn't matter what anybody else says.

"Those kind of questions offend me because I am proud to be England captain and I will carry on until I am relieved of that duty. I am proud to wear an England shirt.

"I don't know if there's anyone in the team who thinks they could do a better job as captain. You'll have to ask them.

"I think there are leaders throughout our team but I am still the captain.

"And as far as the penalties go, if there was a Cup Final tomorrow, I would take it. I would have no hesitation taking a penalty. No problem."

If Beckham's insistence on remaining England penalty-taker is bordering on the bizarre given his recent record, his determination to hang on to the captaincy is entirely justified.

His performances at this tournament have dipped way below the high standards expected of him but he did not let anybody down. He was merely mediocre.

Once our best player, he turned into an average Joe in Portugal but even though Wayne Rooney grabbed all the headlines, Beckham still retains the respect of the rest of the squad.

The captaincy is a figurehead position anyway. Gary Neville is more of a leader than Beckham and Steven Gerrard.

Sol Campbell and Frank Lampard have become more influential but Beckham remains a legitimate captain.

Those who underestimate his strength of character do so at their peril and Beckham's struggles in this competition only mean he will be more determined than ever to bounce back when England begin their qualifying campaign for the next World Cup in the autumn.

"Every time someone criticises me, I will come back fighting," Beckham said.

"That is me. Right now, I can't put my finger on why I haven't had the same impact on matches at this tournament. You will go and write what you want to write. Some people will say it is fair criticism. I don't believe it is. I can only give my best and I believe I have given my best in every game.

"I will never have any regrets. I believe I will have no regrets at the end of my career. I always give as much as I can in games and that is good enough for me. If it is not good enough for other people, then that won't affect me.

"People talk about my commercial activities and how they affect my game but I only do one or two every month. And that is the way it is.

"The commercial side has never got in the way of my football and it never will. There are adverts and people have talked about them this summer. But that part of my life has never got in the way of my football. I will stand by that. The tiredness is down to my football, not down to my commercial activities."

Some have even begun to suggest that Beckham is no longer worth his place in the England team but that is a flawed argument.

Even diminished, he is still the best right-sided midfield player England has. Shaun Wright-Phillips, of Manchester City, is probably his closest challenger and he was not even included in the squad. "I agree I have not put that many crosses in, in this tournament," Beckham said, "but that is because we have played different football and that is the way it has been.

"Sometimes, you do look back on things and think 'maybe I could have done that different'. I like to be able to look at myself in the mirror and believe that I have done my best."

And for the first time, Beckham even began to contemplate the end of his football career. Now, 29, he is beginning to sense his own mortality as an international performer.

"The World Cup in 2006 might be my last tournament," he admitted. "If my legs hold up, then there might be another one. I would like to think I have got two more left in me." Beckham was asked at that point what mark he would give himself out of ten over the course of the competition. "What would you give me?" he countered.

Six. That was the reply. Which was probably just about right. Maybe even a fraction too generous.

Beckham had a different idea. "I would give myself a seven," he said, "for effort."

8:02 PM
t.r.a.c.y

I WAS RIGHT

CONTROVERSIAL ref Urs Meier last night said he was right to rule out Sol Campbell's last-minute goal against Portugal and accused Sven Goran Eriksson of making him a scapegoat.

The Swiss whistler's blunder cost England a place in the semi-final of Euro 2004 and also wrecked his own hopes of taking charge of the final.

But Meier was defiant last night, insisting that England centre-half John Terry had fouled Portuguese keeper Ricardo.

"It was a clear foul. The keeper was in his own goal area and must be protected," he said. "If the same thing happened again then I would do exactly the same. England are looking for a scapegoat and they are looking to blame me.

"But England should remember that we are at Euro 2004 and not playing in the English Premier League. What is allowed there is not allowed here. There are different rules here and I applied them."

UEFA chiefs have decided not to give Meier the honour of taking charge of next Sunday's Euro 2004 final showpiece because of his controversial decision to disallow Campbell's 89th-minute header that would have put England in the semi-final.

England coach Eriksson revealed he had made his frustration clear to Meier shortly after the final whistle in Lisbon. He said: "I went into the dressing-room of the referee after the game to say what I had to say but I think it should stay between him and me.

"Sitting on the bench I thought it was a goal and looking at it again on television I still thought it was a goal. But when the referee says it's not a goal it's not a goal and you can't do anything about it."

While Meier stood by his decision, UEFA's refereeing committee privately admitted he got it wrong and he is almost certain to miss out on the final as a result, despite being one of UEFA's most respected officials.

Italian referee Pierluigi Collina, the people's favourite, also seems unlikely to come into the reckoning after being overlooked for a quarter-final tie.

Collina and Germany's Markus Merk will referee the semi-finals which effectively rules them out of the final. No referee has ever taken charge of a semi-final and final at a major tournament.

The four quarter-final referees are Meier, Anders Frisk (Sweden), Valentin Ivanov (Russia) and Lubos Michel (Slovakia).Traditionally UEFA select the ref for the final from those on duty at the quarter-finals.

Frisk took charge of the Euro 2000 final so that rules him out this year while UEFA are unlikely to reward Meier for his dramatic blunder.

Ivanov was the referee when Manchester United played FC Porto in the Champions League knock-out stage when a perfectly good goal by Paul Scholes was disallowed. The linesman concerned was dropped from the Euro 2004 list.

8:01 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Beckham to stay captain

By SUN ONLINE REPORTER

DEFIANT David Beckham today defended his position as England captain after last night's Euro 2004 quarter-final defeat to Portugal.

The Real Madrid man missed the first spot-kick in the 6-5 penalty shoot-out loss - but felt he had not lost the ability to lead Sven-Goran Eriksson's team.

Asked if he was still as inspirational as he was, Beckham turned the tables on the reporter and asked: "Do you think I can inspire the team as I did in the past?

"I am England captain. I will not be resigning my position. I am proud to be England captain. I love to be playing football and I am England captain.

"I won't be resigning unless someone wants me to, and that will be the manager. I believe this team can go far."

Beckham conceded he felt tired but admitted: "You will feel tired at end of a game like that. It does get to players, with extra time and penalties. You will always be tired at the end of a long season - but you don't let it get to you."

The captain also backed manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, claiming "I respect Sven as a person and a manager - and we all want him to stay as manager."

And he paid tribute to Wayne Rooney, who limped out of last night's match with what has since been diagnosed as a broken bone in his foot.

"It was disappointing for Wayne because his performances have been amazing," he said.

"It was a sad end to an amazing few games and an amazing few goals. We are very proud of him. We are very lucky to have him as an England player."

Returning to his theme of remaining as England captain, he declared: "I am a strong person. Every time anyone criticises me I will come back fighting. That is the sort of person I am."

He added: "The players have no regrets. We can't look back. We could have kept the ball better and we could have attacked more. But who knows what might have happened then?"

9:10 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Becks not up to this

By SHAUN CUSTIS

SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON was warned before Euro 2004 that David Beckham was not fit.

England's fitness guru Ivan Carminati revealed Becks had dropped way below his usual performance level.

But coach Eriksson ordered the medical team to get his skipper into shape as he would be playing in Portugal come what may.

Beckham, 29, went on to start in all four of England's games and was never substituted - even though he was clearly struggling.

The Real Madrid ace missed a spot-kick against France and sliced his penalty high and wide in the shootout with Portugal on Thursday night.

An FA source said: "Beckham was always going to play. But he knew - and Sven knew - that he was below par." Italian Carminati, who was also the fitness coach at the 2002 World Cup, keeps detailed records of player performances in the gym, on the training pitch and from matches.

He and the rest of England's backroom staff were shocked by Beckham's lack of speed and stamina during training and during games.

But they could not fully explain why - and now the FA medics plan to analyse their records to get to the bottom of the problem.

They are determined to make sure Becks is fighting fit for the World Cup qualifers.

Beckham has dismissed claims he was hampered by an ankle injury.

But he admitted last week: "I was surprised how much my fitness had dropped between finishing the season at Real Madrid and joining up with England."

FA insiders believe the stress of the last year with his move from Manchester United to Real Madrid and allegations of extra-marital affairs may have contributed to his decline.

The FA source added: "It has been a puzzle throughout the tournament. Some people on the FA staff think it could be a mental thing as well as a physical problem.

"David has suffered an injury to his ankle but even he doesn't feel it was a major factor.

"He has put on a brave face publicly but has been concerned."

The pressure began to tell yesterday when Beckham reacted angrily to suggestions he may no longer warrant his place as Sven's captain. Asked whether he can still inspire the other players like he used to, Beckham snapped: "What do you think? I am England captain and I will not be resigning my role unless the manager wants me to."

Eriksson also insisted Becks was still the man to lead England to the 2006 World Cup.

9:06 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Pitch was a shocker

THE controversial Stadium of Light pitch has been blasted as "unacceptable and embarrassing" by an expert.

England's David Beckham and Rui Costa of Portugal badly miskicked in the shootout as the penalty spot disintegrated.

Beckham skied England's first penalty and immediately looked accusingly at the clump of turf that his standing foot had pushed up.

Sportsground expert Dave Saltman was shocked by the state of the sand-based surface in Lisbon.

The former head groundsman at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and Wolves' Molineux said: "It was unacceptable. It's really embarrassing for the groundsman."

The surface was sand-based — turf made up of 70per cent sand and 30per cent soil laid on an eight-inch bed of sand.

England boss Sven Goran Eriksson complained before the quarter-final after the squad had practised penalties but nothing was done.

Saltman added: "Most groundsmen in this country would have known about the problems and dealt with them.

"They needed to transplant new turf to the damaged areas.

"It's not worth chancing it for such a vital match."

9:05 AM
t.r.a.c.y

I'm worth 7 out of 10

By MARK IRWIN

DAVID BECKHAM reckons he deserves seven out of ten for his Euro 2004 campaign despite his failure to lead England to glory.

The Real Madrid superstar was still insisting he was happy with his impact on the tournament as Sven Goran Eriksson’s squad returned home following Thursday's quarter-final KO by Portugal.

Beckham missed two crucial penalties, did not test the keeper with a single free-kick and, by his own admission, hardly delivered a cross of note in four games.

By most people's reckoning that would be regarded as a disappointing contribution from the world's most famous footballer.

"But Beckham was having none of it and maintained: "I can still look at myself in the mirror and believe I've done my best.

"If I had to give myself a mark out of ten for this tournament I'd award myself a seven for effort."

The England skipper seemed stung by criticism of his contribution in Portugal, although he accepted he was below his best.

He snapped: "I can't put my finger on why I've not dominated games, but whatever I say you will write whatever you want, whether it's fair criticism or not.

"I can only give my best in every game.

"If that's not good enough for some people, so be it. But I believe in my own ability.

"I have had to play a different role for England lately.

"I've never been a player that has gone past defenders but I agree that I haven't put over that many crosses during this tournament because we have played a different style of football.

"Sometimes you can look back on games with disappointment and think maybe you could have done things differently.

"But at the end of my career I won't have any regrets.

"I'll give as much as I can in every game and that's good enough for me. If it's not good enough for others, it won't affect me."

Beckham also insisted he will not be standing down as England captain and reacted angrily to suggestions he may no longer warrant his place as Eriksson's team leader.

Asked whether he can still inspire the other players like he used to, Beckham barked: "What do you think?

"I am the England captain and I will not be resigning my position.

"I am proud to be a part of this team and I love playing for my country.

"As long as the manager and the other players want me as their captain it doesn't matter what anyone else says and I find questions like that offensive because I am proud to be England's captain.

"I don't know if any of the other players think they could do a better job.

"There are leaders throughout this team and every one of them could wear the armband. But I will carry on doing the job until the day I'm relieved of it by the manager."

As he prepared to fly back to England last night he was quick to knock down rumours that his game has suffered since his move from Manchester United to Spain because he has become sidetracked by his pursuit of global fame.

He said: "People talk about my commercial activities but I do one advert every month, maybe two. That's the way it is.

"The commercial side has never got in the way of my football and never will.

"Any tiredness I might have been feeling is purely down to the football I play."

The unrepentant Madrid ace also insisted he had no regrets about his decision to take another penalty despite missing his last two England spot kicks against Turkey and France.

He said: "I'll definitely take another penalty.

"If we were awarded one tomorrow in a cup final I'd take it."

But he did confess that it was the disgraceful state of the penalty spot at the Stadium of Light which forced him to balloon his shot disastrously over the Portuguese bar.

He explained: "We had been practising penalties at the other end on the eve of the game and every shot we tried our feet were giving way.

"The manager made an official complaint to UEFA about both penalty spots.

"They said they were going to do something about it but I'm not sure they did.

"I planted my foot down and the ball just lifted. I'm not sure I could actually hit the ball to that position striking it from 12 yards.

"It was a lonely walk back to the centre circle after that miss.

"Everyone needs an arm round their shoulder at times and I've got people to do that for me.

"We can all look at things that went wrong for us and talk about what might have been.

"But we don't want to go home making excuses.

"We'll look at ourselves as a team and see what we can do better in future.

"But I don't believe we've let anyone down. The players gave everything and I was very proud to be walking off the pitch as part of that team.

"Of course I'm disappointed to be going home because I love being on the big stage in big competitions.

"I believed we could go a long way at this tournament.

"I've got two more international tournaments left in me and hopefully it will end in success."

9:05 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Eriksson: You're winners

By SHAUN CUSTIS

SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON called his shattered England stars to an emotional meeting before they flew home and told them: "Let's go and win the 2006 World Cup."

Eriksson was determined that the penalty shootout defeat against Portugal should not be seen as the end of an era.

He sounded the rallying call and announced the start of a two-year campaign to bring home the big one.

England fans may roll their eyes to the heavens having heard it all before but Eriksson will never lose his belief in this squad.

The Swede said: "I think we can win in 2006. I had a short meeting with the players and one of the things I told them was that in 3 and a half years we had lost three competitive games.

"I said that the way we lost all of them shows the difference between winning and losing is nothing.

"That gives me the confidence that we can beat anyone. I talked about 2006 and that I was committed to taking this team through.

"We are close to winning. We have shown that we are very close.

"At the last World Cup we lost to Brazil and they won the tournament. In this tournament I still think we should have won against France. We made stupid mistakes.

"I hope we can go on playing as we are playing and have a bit more luck on our side next time."

Eriksson will not be sacked, nor will he quit unless the country decides it wants him out.

There is no bloodlust at the moment, though there could be if the qualifying campaign gets off to a bad start.

Eriksson added: "I want to stay as manager. Then it depends if the English people want me or not. I've no other plans, absolutely not. I haven't asked the players if I have their support - but I'm quite sure I do."

England will go into the qualifiers with David Beckham leading the side and Eriksson will not listen to calls for him to be axed as skipper.

He may even keep taking penalties - despite missing three in a row.

The coach said: "Maybe I've seen David Beckham play better. But I can clearly say that he will be picked and he will be the captain for England in the next game and the one after that.

"I am quite sure of that. He is very important for us. Even if we have seen David play better than he did against Portugal, I have no doubts about him. I talked to him and asked him 'If there was a penalty today, who should take it?' He said 'Me, of course'.

"But I have until August when we play a friendly to decide."

Eriksson was clearly hurting at England's exit and felt Sol Campbell's last-minute header, which was disallowed, should have stood.

He added: "To overcome this will take more than 24 hours, much more. It's always hard to lose important football matches and losing like we did is extremely hard.

"The players and the squad did what they should do but it was not enough to win the game and I'm sorry about that, very sorry.

"What I had to say to the referee in his dressing room will stay between him and me. Were we robbed? That's a very strong word in football.

"People in football make bad mistakes and maybe that was one of them. I've seen it on TV now and my opinion hasn't changed. I thought it was a goal sitting on the bench and I still think it is a goal now.

"But when the referee says no, then it's not. You can't do anything about it. I think we did ourselves justice, losing on penalties after extra-time.

"The players should be proud of themselves and I hope the fans are proud of our team as well."

Eriksson refused to accept England were technically inept at keeping hold of the ball compared to other countries. He believes we are every bit as good, even if the evidence against Portugal suggests otherwise.

Instead he preferred to focus on the future and the World Cup campaign.

He added: "It's difficult to be positive after what happened - but I am positive. I think we've shown many times that we are one of the best teams and that we can beat any team.

"We have some new players coming through which is always good. Jermain Defoe is one for sure and maybe Shaun Wright-Phillips.

"Defoe is interesting, he's a goal-scorer and he's quick. Rio Ferdinand will be coming back and I hope goalkeeper Chris Kirkland will come and be fit at the beginning of the season."

And, of course, there is Wayne Rooney, the 18-year-old who took Euro 2004 by storm.

Eriksson said: "Rooney has had a fantastic tournament. Unfortunately he is now supposed to be out for six weeks. It's more or less what happened to Beckham before the World Cup.

"In the first game we played, against France, he surprised me. I didn't expect him to have that fitness level after seeing him in training.

"He is a man, not only for training, but a man for the big games. He has something extra inside him."

After all the drama of Portugal, England have a less than mouth-watering friendly against the Ukraine in Newcastle on August 18.

It feels like a jail sentence.

9:05 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Thursday, June 24, 2004

Voeller quits Germany role

Germany coach Rudi Voeller has resigned after his team's early exit from the European Championship in Portugal.

His side were eliminated from the Euro 2004 tournament following a 2-1 defeat to the Czech Republic on Wednesday.

Voeller had insisted he wanted to stay after the defeat, but the former World Cup-winning striker changed his mind.

"After long consideration, I have decided to step down," said Voeller, who had a contract until the World Cup in 2006 which will be held in Germany.

The 44-year-old Voeller said the national side needed a new start before the 2006 World Cup.

"I have the feeling that only someone who is untarnished and has a certain credibility - like I had four years ago - can do the job over the next two years," he said.

Voeller told team officials overnight and they asked him not to make a hasty decision.

"He told us it was not a spur-of-the-moment decision taken just after the game. We regret this decision very much but we have to accept it," said German federation president Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder.

Germany needed to beat the Czech Republic in their final Group D game.

But despite the Czechs resting the majority of their side Germany went down 2-1.

Afterwards Voeller said: "I'm realistic. You have to be when you exit in the first round.

"I've a contract until 2006 and assume I'll continue, but as I said a year ago, I'm not going to cling to my job. In principle, I'd like to continue."

Asked about speculation he would be sacked, he added: "It's all part of the business. I know I have to accept it."

Germany missed a host of chances against the Czech Republic and Voeller pinpointed his side's poor scoring record in all three Group D games - the Germans managed just two - as the reason behind their Euro 2004 exit.

He added: "Only in the second half we played the way I wanted. The only thing missing were the goals. We only scored two goals (in the tournament), that's too few."

Voeller had hoped to lead Germany into the World Cup on home soil in two years' time.

He was part of Germany's World-Cup winning side in 1990.

He took over as Germany coach from Erich Ribbeck following a disastrous Euro 2000 - when Germany failed to win a match.

He guided his country to the 2002 World Cup final before losing to Brazil in the final.

Germany struggled to qualify for Euro 2004 and suffered a poor run-up to the tournament including a 5-1 thrashing by Romania.

The leading candidate to replace Voeller is believed to be Ottmar Hitzfeld, who was sacked as Bayern Munich coach at the end of last season.

Vorfelder added: "It is clear that the name of Ottmar Hitzfeld will figure in our thinking."

5:41 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Portugal v England preview

England chief Sven Goran Eriksson has no fresh injury worries ahead of Thursday's quarter final with Portugal.

The Three Lions' thrilling win over Croatia set up a last eight meeting with the host nation, but it appeared to come at a cost as John Terry and David Beckham left the field as walking wounded.

However, England skipper Beckham says he is fit and Chelsea powerhouse Terry is expected to take his place alongside Sol Campbell at the heart of the defence.

"I've got a knock on my ankle but it's not a problem," Beckham said on Wednesday.

Eriksson has all of his squad available for the game, aside from knee injury victim Nicky Butt, and he is almost certain to start with the team which kicked off the win over Croatia.

"They are fit, all of them," said Eriksson. "Only Nicky Butt (is out) so it is very good.

"No yellow cards and no red cards and everybody is fit, so it is perfect."

England have looked full of verve going forward and Eriksson will demand a similar display against Portugal, but he will be mindful that the Croats exposed aerial flaws in his rearguard.

Portugal are unlikely to batter at the England door with long balls, rather focusing on the craft of Deco, Luis Figo and Rui Costa.

Pauleta is suspended for the game, which is likely to see coach Luiz Felipe Scolari start with match-winner against Spain, Nuno Gomes.

There are sure to be a number of mini battles all over the pitch, with Gary Neville's clash with Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo one of the most intriguing.

The two teams have a recent meeting to draw on for clues, a 1-1 draw in February, but England will not have to worry about goalscorer Pauleta as he is suspended.

Portugal have tightened up defensively since their opening day loss to Greece, but the likes of Ricardo Carvalho and Jorge Andrade will have a new threat to contend with in the form of Wayne Rooney.

The Everton starlet has netted three times in the competition and if he can continue to produce the goods he could lead England to the semi-finals and beyond.

5:31 PM
t.r.a.c.y

MAN UNITED 2004/2005 FIXTURES

Manchester United open the new season with a blockbuster against the team that pipped them to second place last term - Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge date is followed by a home game against newly-promoted Norwich City before Everton come to Old Trafford - the question some mischevious Red Devils fans will be asking is what team will Wayne Rooney be playing for on August 25?

Boxing Day sees a clash with Bolton Wanderers and the last day presents a trip to the South Coast to tackle Southampton.

The dates are provisional and are subject to change.

August
14 Chelsea (A)
21 Norwich (H)
25 Everton (H)
28 Blackburn (A)

September
11 Bolton (A)
18 Liverpool (H)
25 Tottenham (A)

October
2 Middlesbrough (H)
16 Birmingham (A)
23 Arsenal (H)
30 Portsmouth (A)

November
6 Man City (H)
13 Newcastle (A)
20 Charlton (H)
27 West Brom (A)

December
4 Southampton (H)
11 Fulham (A)
18 Crystal Palace (H)
26 Bolton (H)
28 Aston Villa (A)

January
1 Middlesbrough (A)
3 Tottenham (H)
15 Liverpool (A)
22 Aston Villa (H)

February
1 Arsenal (A)
5 Birmingham (H)
12 Man City (A)
26 Portsmouth (H)

March
5 Crystal Palace (A)
19 Fulham (H)

April
2 Blackburn (H)
9 Norwich (A)
16 Chelsea (H)
20 Everton (A)
23 Newcastle (H)
30 Charlton (A)

May
7 West Brom (H)
14 Southampton (A)

5:21 PM
t.r.a.c.y

PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES RELEASED!

The opening day Premiership fixtures have been confirmed and the undoubted pick of the bunch is Manchester United's trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.

New coach Jose Mourinho will have been hoping for an easier introduction to Premiership life, but it will give him another chance to pit his wits against Sir Alex Ferguson - after they clashed in the UEFA Champions League last season.

Mourinho guided his Porto side to victory over United with a draw in Manchester, but he will now begin his tenure as Blues chief with the ultimate match.

Chelsea then face trips to Birmingham and Crystal Palace, before their second home clash with Southampton.

The task for United looks to get easier following their game in London as they are then scheduled to play Norwich and Everton at home before travelling to Blackburn.

Champions Arsenal open their account with a trip to Goodison park to face Everton, before squaring up to Middlesbrough in their opening home match, which is followed by a Blackburn visit to North London and an away trip to Norwich.

Another mouth-watering opening day encounter is Liverpool's trip to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham.

The game is seen as one of the biggest in The Premiership calendar and the fact that both Jacques Santini and Rafael Benitez will be in charge of their respective teams for the first time, adds even more spice to the match.

Following Liverpool, Santini then faces a daunting trip to the North East to face Newcastle - after which he faces West Brom at The Hawthorns and Birmingham at home.

After his trip to Spurs, Benitez will take charge of his first game at Anfield against Manchester City, before another home clash with Portsmouth.

The fans in the North East have been given a showpiece fixture to open their seasons as Newcastle visit Middlesbrough for a Tyne-Tees derby.

After his trip to Teesside Sir Bobby Robson's men the face Spurs before facing Norwich and Aston Villa.

After facing Newcastle and Arsenal in their opening two matches, Boro then face London duo Fulham and Crystal Palace.

There is a clash of the new-boys at Carrow Road on the opening day as Norwich entertain play-off winners Crystal Palace.

The Canaries then face a horrendous looking run of matches against Manchester United, Newcastle and Arsenal.

Runners-up from Division One West Bromwich Albion face Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in their first game before hosting Aston Villa and Tottenham.

After their clash with The Baggies, Blackburn face trips to Southampton and Arsenal - before a home clash with Manchester United.

Aston Villa - last season's surprise package in The Premiership - open their account against Southampton at Villa Park. They then travel to West Brom and Charlton, before another home game with Newcastle.

After their trip to the Midlands, Paul Sturrock's Saints entertain Bolton and Blackburn at St Mary's.

Birmingham City open their Premiership account at Fratton Park against Portsmouth.

Steve Bruce's men then host Chelsea and Manchester City, before facing a trip to Spurs.

Pompey will travel to Charlton and Liverpool after their opening day game, before returning to the South Coast to play Fulham.

Charlton Athletic travel to Bolton Wanderers to kick-off their campaign, before hosting Portsmouth and Aston Villa at The Valley.

Bolton travel to Fulham and Southampton after their opening match.

Manchester City begin the new season with a home match against Fulham, after which they face a trip to Anfield against Liverpool - followed by another away day at Birmingham.

After their game at The City of Manchester Stadium, Fulham remain in London to play Bolton and Middlesbrough.

5:20 PM
t.r.a.c.y

JOSE'S PORT SIDE

NEW Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho admitted he hopes his native Portugal will leave his adopted homeland in stunned silence.

Mourinho will watch tonight's quarter-final clash between England and Portugal in Lisbon at his new luxury home in west London.

And the Blues manager said: "At the end of the game, I will open my windows on to the streets of London and hopefully - I will hear the silence of frustration and sickness of England fans after they have lost."

He added: "There will be some of my old players from Porto playing against some of my new players at Chelsea, which will be interesting to watch.

"There will be elements of my football style against the type of football I will be coaching when I start work with the Chelsea players."

5:14 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKHAM: IT'S A GREAT CHANCE FOR US

By Oliver Holt

RAIN fell on Lisbon for the first time since the tournament began yesterday and wisps of steam rose up from the parched roads circling the Estadio da Luz.

Inside the stadium, England completed their final preparations for tonight's quarter-final showdown with Portugal knowing that their part in this tournament is reaching boiling point.

Wayne Rooney is the man of the hour, some even say the new Pele, and even though the hosts and their own wonderboy, Cristiano Ronaldo, lie in wait, English optimism is running wild.

They know that Portugal will not be easy prey. They know their opponents' team is packed full of FC Porto's Champions League winners and that Luis Figo, one of the game's superstars, is thirsting to end his international career with a trophy on home soil.

They know that danger lurks on both flanks of the Portuguese side and that Deco could destroy them down the middle if he is allowed the time and the space.

But at England's hilltop hotel to the west of the city, the mood among the players is still that they are within touching distance of this country's first major football triumph for 38 years.

Rooney's astonishing impact on the tournament, the discarding of the flawed diamond and signs that Michael Owen is clawing his way back to form have helped to convince Sven Goran Eriksson's side they finally have what it takes to go all the way.

David Beckham explained it best yesterday. The England captain said that for the first time in his memory, there was no fear within the squad. No complacency, either. But an expectation of triumph.

"We realise this is a great chance for us," Beckham said. "The players are walking around the hotel with confidence oozing out of them.

"We really believe we can win games and compete with the best and a lot of that confidence is coming from the young players. To have that air of expectancy is a big bonus.

"I have never known this kind of belief before in an England squad. There is no negativity at all in our hotel. Even from the young players.

"It is 'We're going to beat them - we're going to win this game'. We watched the Portuguese beat the Spanish and they played well. But we know what their players can do and we are ready.

"At the hotel, a lot of lads spend a lot of time in the massage room because it's a place we can all go and we can all have a laugh and watch the games and there is a lot of banter in there.

"Sometimes, in the past, there has been negativity in the squad but in this tournament there has not been one player that has been worried about any game we have gone into.

"That is the freshness the young players have brought into the squad. I have not heard any player talking about any other team apart from ours. I haven't heard them talking about other team's players. We are not in awe of anybody any more."

Beckham received another sobering lesson in playing second fiddle to Rooney yesterday. "How's Wayne today," a television reporter asked him at a packed press conference.

But Beckham insisted he welcomed the fact the obsession with the young Everton forward had taken some of the attention away from him.

And he shrugged aside concerns that his own subdued form may yet be the biggest impediment to England's progress when they face up to Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Nuno Gomes, Deco and the rest tonight.

He said he had been playing a more defensive role because he was happy to sacrifice his own attacking runs to cover for midfield colleagues Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes.

"I know I have had criticism of my performances out here," Beckham said, "but I am a strong enough man to take that. People can keep saying that until the end of the tournament if it means we get to the final. As long as we keep winning, I don't care.

"I feel that I have been sitting in in midfield more than usual. The three other midfielders are very attack-minded.

"If that means sacrificing some of the things I can do so the other players can continue going forward and setting up chances and scoring goals, then I will carry on doing it.

"I think I have been improving with each game of the tournament. I have felt a lot fresher with every game. People will always talk about my form, good or bad. But it is not all about me. It is about the team.

"Last-minute free-kicks and important goals is what I have been about for the last ten years so when I don't produce that, people ask questions.

"As long as I carry on working hard for the team, that's what is important to me. I want to be able to wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and say I have given 100 per cent in every game."

Beckham talked, too, about Ronaldo and how strange it had seemed when he first saw him wearing the Manchester United number 7 shirt that had once been his.

He talked about how much help Real Madrid team-mate Figo had given him and his family as he tried to settle in in the Spanish capital. He talked about 'a certain arrogance' the right winger carries with him on the pitch.

He talked about how the only game he had felt nervous going into was the 1999 European Cup Final.

And, of course, he was asked about Rooney and whether it feels strange to him that he has been replaced as the country's footballing icon by a teenager from Croxteth.

"I'm not jealous of him at all. I'm not a jealous person. Wayne deserves the attention," said Beckham. "I just hope he will be left alone to enjoy his football because he is 18 and he has a long career ahead of him."

And to show that he meant it when he said there were no egos in this squad, Beckham added a touch of self-mockery before he left.

Someone began to ask him a question about all the players he had been compared to when he first burst on the scene. Beckham smiled wryly and interrupted him. "Never Pele," he said.

5:13 PM
t.r.a.c.y

I won't bottle shootout

By MARK IRWIN

DAVID BECKHAM insists he will not go into hiding if England need him to step up to the penalty spot again tonight.

Captain Beckham has missed his last two penalties against Turkey and France and knows the Euro 2004 quarter-final clash with Portugal will go to a shootout if the scores remain level after extra-time.

England practised spot-kicks at the end of training yesterday. And the Real Madrid superstar said: "I don't think penalties are a nice way to settle a game but, if that's the only way of making it to the next round, that's what we need to do.

"There is always a certain amount of pressure when I step up to take a free-kick or penalty because I'm always expected to hit the target.

"But there is even more anxiety involved at this stage of the tournament because the entire outcome of the game could depend on you.

"The divide between success and failure is minute.

"Once you put the ball down you must be certain where you're going to hit the shot before you begin your run-up.

"But it's harder than ever taking penalties these days because keepers are a lot better and they are now allowed to move all the time.

"The most important penalty I ever took was against Argentina in the World Cup two years ago.

"It was 0-0 at the time and that goal eventually won the game for us.

"It was a huge moment for me, especially with my history against Argentina in the '98 World Cup.

"I'm not sure what would have happened if I'd missed that one."

Frank Lampard will be one of the first to volunteer if the game goes to a shootout.

The England midfielder said: "I'll be very excited if I'm involved. I'll definitely be trying to take one. I won't mind at all.

"When I was younger I watched England players miss in tournaments. David Batty, Chris Waddle, Stuart Pearce, Gareth Southgate, I remember them all.

"They were very brave men to stand up and take a penalty in those circumstances.

"And I think the public do understand the great pressure a player is under because a lot of great players have chosen not to take them.

"You have to block out the eyes of the nation, the millions of people watching back home and keep as cold and calm as possible.

"Make up your mind exactly what you're going to do and stick to it. If you hit the target and the keeper makes a great save, there's nothing you can do.

"But if you approach it with real confidence, you have every chance of scoring.

"I'd like to think I could handle it if comes down to penalties."

4:06 PM
t.r.a.c.y

We're not finished yet

By SHAUN CUSTIS

DAVID BECKHAM has never known the England flag to fly so high and proud.

Beckham has been in the England squad for eight years but believes the optimism and determination being shown in Portugal is unprecedented.

As Sven Goran Eriksson's side prepared for tonight's quarter-final showdown against hosts Portugal in Lisbon, Beckham spoke of the incredible belief within the camp.

He said: "When the players talk, it's just 'we're going to beat them, we're going to play this game and we're going to win this game'."

According to skipper Beckham, the influx of youth has helped extinguish nerves. He said: "The players are walking around with an amazing confidence.

"We really believe we can win games and compete with the best.

"That's coming from the young players. To have that air of expectancy is a big bonus.

"I've never sensed a belief like this, never. There is no negativity in our hotel at all.

"We have a manager who takes each player and game as it comes. He's very relaxed round the hotel and that affects the whole team.

"There are no egos. We are all players who want to play well, play for our country and win. There is no nervousness going into a game.

"A lot of lads spend time in the massage room - a place where we can go, have a laugh and watch other games. There's a lot of banter in there.

"Sometimes in the past there has been negativity in the squad.

"There has not been one player who has been worried about any game we've gone into. That's the freshness a lot of the young players have brought into the squad.

"We realise this is a great chance for us. We have to be ready. There's no complacency, no excuses."

Beckham's own form has been questioned.

He is not as fit as he could be and has been struggling with an ankle injury - but, publicly, he insists he is happy with his performances.

His game has become more restricted and defensive, he says, to allow fellow midfielders Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes to attack.

He said: "I feel I have been sitting a lot more because the three other midfielders are very attack-minded.

"If that means me taking more responsibility on the defensive side, which I haven't had to in recent years, then I'll do it.

"It's worked so far so I'll carry on doing it. I felt a lot better in the second game and again in the third.

"People will always talk about my form, whether I'm playing good or bad. But it's not all about me, it's about the team.

"For the last 10 years what I've been about is scoring free-kicks and scoring important goals. When I don't do it people ask questions, but as long as I keep working hard that's the most important thing.

"I want to wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and say I've given 100 per cent in every game.

"Wayne Rooney's performances have helped take the pressure off, but that goes for every player.

"It helps to have someone like Steven Gerrard - the way he runs at players and takes on responsibility, that takes some of the responsibility away from me."

Against Portugal, Beckham will face Cristiano Ronaldo, the man who replaced him in the No 7 shirt at Manchester United, and his big Real Madrid pal Luis Figo.

Beckham added: "It was strange seeing someone else wearing seven at United but it has to be worn by a player the fans will like and they definitely like Ronaldo.

"He's one of the best young talents around and deserves that number.

"Luis has got a great character and a great aura about him. He is massive in Portugal and loved by their fans. It being his last competition, he is determined to go out on a high.

"He's had criticism but he's one of best right-wingers in the world.

"Luis has rung a couple of times while we've been out here and we've wished each other luck - but we won't for this game."

Four years ago England played Portugal in their opening game at Euro 2000 and somehow managed to lose 3-2 after being 2-0 up. Figo's sensational strike brought Portugal back into that game.

Beckham was involved in angry exchanges with England fans afterwards. And he admitted: "My memories of that match aren't good.

"At 2-0 we were cruising then Figo ran through the middle of us, put one in the top corner and it was all downhill from there.

"You look at memories like that and you don't want them again.

"You don't want that feeling walking off that pitch or the fans' reaction after that game. I wouldn't want to experience that again."

Neither would we, David. Neither would we.

4:05 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Tuesday, June 22, 2004

some pictures from the croatia vs england match.... enjoy it...

8:48 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Rooney scores twice vs. Croatia

COIMBRA, Portugal -- Defending champion France and England reached the quarterfinals of the European Championships on Monday, joining Portugal, Greece and the Czech Republic.

France defeated Switzerland 3-1 in one Group B game, and England beat Croatia 4-2 in Lisbon in the other. France finished atop the group with seven points and England had six.

"It's not a relief but we had to go for this victory. These three games weren't easy," France coach Jacques Santini said.

Zinedine Zidane gave France the lead with a header in the 20th minute, before 18-year-old Johann Vonlanthen tied it for the Swiss in the 26th minute to become the youngest scorer in European Championship history.

Thierry Henry scored the go-ahead goal with a 76th-minute tap-in after being set up by substitute Louis Saha, then added his second with a superb solo run and finish eight minutes later.

Vonlanthen scored after taking a pass from Ricardo Cabanas and slotting past Fabien Barthez. He became the youngest scorer in the competition, beating the mark set earlier in the tournament by Wayne Rooney, who scored two more goals for England on Monday. Vonlanthen, who plays for Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, was born Feb. 1, 1986, about three months after Rooney.

Vonlanthen played alone up front, while fellow striker Alexander Frei sat out the match. UEFA suspended Frei for Euro 2004 on Monday for spitting at England midfielder Steven Gerrard in an earlier Group B game.

In England's match, Rooney led the way for the second straight game, increasing his goal total to a tournament-leading four. Croatia jumped out to an early lead after England captain David Beckham conceded a free kick out on the left.

Milan Rapaic drove in a curling cross, which hit Ashley Cole at the far post. England goalkeeper David James managed to stop the ball from going in with a one-handed save but, in a crowded area, Niko Kovac stuck out a foot as John Terry tried to clear and scored.

Paul Scholes scored to tie the game, and Rooney added his two goals to put England up 3-1. The Everton star was taken out of the game to a standing ovation from the English fans with 19 minutes to go.

"When you see him perform, you know nothing phases him," Beckham said. "He deserves all the praise that he is going to get."

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said Rooney is more than just a goal scorer.

"I don't really know what to say - he is absolutely fantastic," he said. "He is not only scoring goals, he plays football. He seems to be a complete football player."

Croatia scored again when Cole gave away a free kick on the right side and Igor Tudor leapt to head the ball in the net at the far post.

The English fans started to get nervous, but a fourth goal came in the 79th minute when substitute Darius Vassell fed Beckham, and the ball was passed on to Frank Lampard, who launched a low left footed shot past Tomislav Butina from the edge of the area.

In the quarterfinals, host Portugal faces England on Thursday, and Greece plays France on Friday.

Portugal and Greece advanced Sunday from Group A, and the Czechs booked their place Saturday in Group D.

The quarterfinalists from Group C will be decided Tuesday with Denmark, Sweden and Italy in the running. The final spot will come Wednesday from Group D between Germany, Latvia and the Netherlands.

7:55 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Portugal will fear us - Gerrard

Steven Gerrard believes that Portugal 'will be fearing England' as another man-of-the match display from Wayne Rooney clinched a Euro 2004 quarter-final clash with the host nation.

Rooney followed up his two goals against Switzerland with a brace at the expense of Croatia in the Estadio da Luz as England recovered from an early setback to run out 4-2 winners.

Gerrard is confident that 18-year-old Rooney can go on to become 'one of the best players in the world' if he maintains his current remarkable rate of progress.

But England as a unit appear to be growing in strength and the Portuguese can expect a battle royal at the same venue on Thursday.

Gerrard said: 'If we keep performing like we did on Monday, then I don't think that many sides will want to meet us in this tournament.

'Portugal is going to be tough. They have got some great individuals - but so have we and we are confident we can get over that hurdle.

'They are the host nation but I don't think we are the underdogs. Portugal will be fearing us if they look at that performance. They'll be quite worried playing against us on Thursday.'

Inevitably Rooney will again capture all the headlines after two vastly different goals - an instinctive 25-yard strike and a cool finish when sent clear of the Croatian defence.

And Gerrard believes that the Everton starlet can provide that little extra ingredient which could inspire England to their first major trophy in 38 years.

Gerrard said: 'I definitely think that Wayne can help us win it. If you look at his performances over the last three games, he has helped us to get into the quarter-finals.

'I am sure he will help us progress even further. I feel there is no better player in Europe at the moment than Wayne Rooney.

'If he keeps on putting in performances like that then one day he can also become the best player in the world.

'His performances in this tournament have been so mature. Everything he has done has been spot on. But the whole team is doing well.'

Rooney also kept his temperament in check and avoided the second yellow card that would have ruled him out of Thursday's clash along with David James, Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard, who will all have the slate wiped clean for the knockout stages.

A major plus for England was the return to the goal trail of Scholes, who had last been on target for his country against Greece in June 2001.

He scored the all-important equaliser five minutes before half-time to end a drought spanning 30 internationals with his 14th goal in an England shirt.

Skipper David Beckham said: 'Everyone has been talking about his goals record but Paul has always had this knack of producing in the big games and he's done it again.

'He does more than score goals. He plays balls through to other people and sets them up, although to get one himself was of great relief to him.'

Beckham praised England's overall showing after they had conceded an early goal and said: 'It was the type of performance we wanted to produce.

'We played well. We didn't deserve to be 1-0 down but we kept on playing our football and we will go into the Portugal game with a lot of confidence.

'The good thing was that we passed the ball around well and kept it a lot better than in the Switzerland game.'

7:53 PM
t.r.a.c.y

UK media hail Rooney

LONDON, June 22 (Reuters) - Wayne Rooney was hailed as the 'new Pele' by British newspapers on Tuesday after the 18-year-old's stunning performance in a 4-2 Euro 2004 win over Croatia.

Taking their cue from a remark by England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, who said the forward's impact could be compared to Pele's for Brazil in the 1958 World Cup, the media heaped praise on Rooney in a welter of front and back page banner headlines.

'The New Pele' trumpeted the Daily Mail above a picture of the Everton player celebrating his second goal on Monday.

The Sun, Britain's biggest-selling daily tabloid, followed suit with 'Pele II'.

The broadsheets ran pictures and stories back and front to capture the growing belief in the country that England could win their first major soccer tournament since the World Cup of 1966.

'WE'RE THROO', screamed the front page of The Sun, which devoted more than 10 pages to the victory that set up a last-eight encounter against hosts Portugal on Thursday.

'Once more the teen wonderkid inspired England to victory with a sensational double and secured a place in the quarter-finals,' the paper said, while commending the player for setting up midfielder Paul Scholes's opener.

The Daily Star was as abundant in its praise of Rooney, describing the tournament's top scorer as possibly the best ever player to don an England shirt.

'Confidence, arrogance, a beautiful touch, awareness, passing ability and an eye for goal that comes with being the best,' the paper noted. 'He's the player who can turn these championships into something special.'

Under the headline 'Fearless shooting star brings down the house', The Daily Mail likened the teenager to Popeye flexing his muscles.

'Rooney may look like a loveable cranky cartoon character but he is now the most feared footballer in Portugal. It is the absence of any such trepidation in his own personality which has given England lift off,' it said.

After two convincing victories since an opening defeat by champions France, England appear to be hitting form at just the right time and the Daily Mirror was just one paper trumpeting the team's chances.

'Bring any of them on now. Any of them. The Czechs, the Italians, the Swedes, even the French again,' it said.

'We don't need to be afraid of any of them any more. With Wayne Rooney in this rampant mood and other, older men picking up the lead, inspiration is filling this England team and ridding it of inhibitions and its uncertainties.'

7:51 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Croatia v England: Report

Wayne Rooney smashed home his second consecutive Euro 2004 double as England stormed into the quarter-finals with a 4-2 win over Croatia in Lisbon.

The 18-year-old's stunning strikes sealed a fine fightback after Croatia had provided an almighty early scare.

Needing just a draw to progress, England were stunned when Niko Kovac stabbed home an opener with less than five minutes on the clock.

Paul Scholes' first England goal in three years settled nerves for England five minutes before half-time before Rooney continued to add to his skyrocketing reputation.

He whacked home his first goal from 25 yards on the stroke of half-time - then burst clear of the Croatian defence in the 68th minute to virtually seal England's place in the quarter-finals.

Frank Lampard's late strike confirmed England's place in the last eight as the Croatians threw men forward in a desperate search for a miracle.

England's four-goal show seemed a long way off after a tentative opening spell which hinted at a nailbiting night in store.

When Milan Rapaic took a free-kick David James could only parry after Ashley Cole had clipped the ball goalwards under pressure from Boris Zivkovic - and Kovac stabbed the loose ball home after a slight deflection off the unfortunate John Terry.

But England responded by keeping cool and producing some of their finest football of the tournament as they chased an equaliser.

Scholes ought to have ended his international goal drought earlier but he shot straight at goalkeeper Tomislav Butina in the eighth minute after being put through by Rooney.

And Steven Gerrard came agonisingly close in the 24th minute with his shot held by Butina after the goalkeeper had parried Sol Campbell's initial header into the Liverpool man's path.

Butina proved equal to Rooney's header as England continued to press forward with aplomb.

But Croatian dangerman Dado Prso served a timely warning about his side's continuing threat when he forced his fine low save out of James from the edge of the box.

Two minutes later Rooney played a vital part in England's equaliser when he flicked a loose ball back across goal after Butina parried Owen's shot.

Scholes was waiting at the far post to head the ball home and end his goalless streak at the most vital of times.

England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson would have been happy with a draw at half-time - but the audacious Rooney had other ideas.

He was teed up by Scholes on the stroke of the interval and hammered a powerful low shot past Butina from 20 yards.

The Croatians' unwillingness to respond with all-out attack after the interval began to take the pressure off England.

Scholes in particular revelled in the space afforded him in midfield with two shots which tested Butina.

And Owen should have made the game safe in the 55th minute when he burst clear down the right only to see his attempted chip beat Bulent and land on the roof of the net.

Croatian substitute Ivica Olic tested the England back-line before Rooney sealed victory with his second stirring strike.

The 18-year-old burst over the halfway line and coolly fired past Bulent in the 68th minute seal England's place in the quarter-finals.

Igor Tudor headed home a Croatian consolation shortly before Lampard's strike rounded off a fantastic night for England.

7:50 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Briton stabbed to death in Lisbon

A Briton was stabbed to death in Lisbon early today after England's victory over Croatia at Euro 2004.

Portuguese police said a Ukrainian man was being held in connection with the killing, which is believed to have happened during an attempted robbery.

The Foreign Office in London confirmed that a British man had been killed but was unable to give any further information.

The stabbing happened at about 4am in Rossio Square in the Portuguese capital, police spokeswoman Isabel Canelas said.

She said the suspect was likely to appear in court later today charged with causing death by stabbing.

The injured fan was taken to Lisbon's Sao Joseph Hospital after the stabbing but died from his injuries.

Ms Canelas said: 'At that time in the morning there is not much nightlife in Rossio and we are investigating what the situation was.'

Earlier reports suggested a Croatian man had been arrested over the attack.

But police sources later confirmed the man was from the Ukraine, who do not have a team in the tournament.

The sources stressed the incident was not thought to be football-related.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: 'Until next of kin have been informed, we cannot confirm any personal details at all.

'We are confirming that a person has been taken into custody in connection with the death and we are in touch with the Portuguese authorities.'

The spokeswoman said she could not confirm the name, age or home town of the British man until his family had been contacted.

7:50 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Monday, June 21, 2004

SCHU SHINES AFTER RALF SMASH DRAMA

Byron Young Reports From Indianapolis

MICHAEL Schumacher was gifted victory in an accident-packed United States Grand Prix by his brother's horrifying 200mph smash.

The world champion's younger brother hammered the concrete safety wall after losing control of his BMW-Williams on the 10th lap.

Unaware his sibling lay dazed in his wrecked race car the Ferrari race ace made the decisive move of the day to win for the eighth time in nine races - and extend his World Championship lead to 18 points.

He dived into the pits when the pace car was called out and refuelled in split seconds without losing his lead.

Team-mate Rubens Barrichello was forced to wait behind him, losing precious seconds, and was caught in the chaos as the rest of the grid speared off the track, slipping to sixth for the re-start.

At that moment Jenson Button and Takuma Sato lost any chance of victory when their BAR-Honda team decided not to make a stop.

It was another difficult and expensive lesson for the emerging BAR outfit but Sato charged back up through the field to equal the best result by a Japanese driver as he finished third behind the two Ferraris. At the head of the field Schumacher put his emotions aside as he ground out the 78th win of his career while Ralf was lying in hospital.

Earlier he had faced heart-stopping minutes behind the pace car. After his decisive stop he circled to see his brother's race machine surrounded by three medical cars and an ambulance.

"The worst thing was seeing Ralf sitting for so long in the car. I was hoping it was not anything bad," said Schumacher.

"They kept telling me that things were not too bad and he was looking all right. But I have heard that many times in the past and it has turned out differently.

"But he is all right and that is all that matters. It was one of the worst moments of my career."

The BMW-Williams driver had lost control of the car on the fastest part of the circuit as he negotiated the banked final bend and spun twice, smoke pouring from the tyres, before hammering into the barriers backwards.

The car slithered on its belly for another hundred yards before coming to a halt, not far from his start position on the grid, facing back down the track. The carnage almost multiplied when Mark Webber nipped from behind David Coulthard - who ended up seventh - and almost hit the crippled car.

A blanket of fearful silence descended on the circuit as the German made no attempt to get out of the car. Eventually his head moved slightly.

F1 top doctor Sid Watkins worked for 15 minutes to free the German before he was strapped into a special stretcher and rushed to hospital by ambulance.

Team boss Frank Williams was looking on: "Ralf is obviously in a lot of pain. Everything is working but his stomach is pretty upset, pretty bruised but basically sound.

"My interpretation is that he will probably be in hospital for a few days."

A Michelin spokesman said carbon debris had caused his tyre to deflate.

Just eight of the 20 cars finished, there were accidents, the pace car came out twice, pit-stop drama, plus disqualification.

Juan Pablo Montoya was disqualified for the second race in a row after not leaving the grid in time as he jumped into the spare car.

5:59 PM
t.r.a.c.y

SCHU WINS CRASH-STREWN US GP

Michael Schumacher made it eight wins out of nine at a US Grand Prix that was punctuated by three big accidents.

The most serious of the three involved Schumacher's brother Ralf, who crashed heavily at the banked final turn.

The Williams hit the wall at close to full speed and there were fears that the German had been badly hurt when he failed to climb out of the car.

Mercifully, it quickly emerged that Ralf had escaped serious injury, although he was concussed in the impact. He was taken to the Methodist Hospital in downtown Indianapolis for a precautionary brain scan.

Ralf's shunt was the third in the first dozen laps, as the race got off to an action-packed start.

The first incident came just seconds in. Christian Klien ran into the back of Cristiano da Matta on the exit of turn one after the Toyota appeared to slow with gearbox problems.

The Jaguar speared across the track, leaving Felipe Massa, Giorgio Pantano and Gianmaria Bruni with nowhere to go. All four cars were eliminated on the spot.

The safety car was brought out for four laps, and Schumacher took his chance to get past pole man Rubens Barrichello at the restart. The German timed his run to perfection to drag past his team-mate on the way down to turn one.

Three laps later, there was another accident, this time involving Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard had made a blinding start to go from ninth to third but crashed out on lap eight after his right-rear tyre failed under braking at turn one.

That incident was cleared up without resorting to the safety car - but it was definitely needed when Ralf crashed a couple of laps later.

It took some time for the medical car to arrive on the scene, but when it did, F1 doctor Sid Watkins transferred Ralf to a stretcher and a neck brace was fitted.

The field spent nine laps under the safety car, with leader Michael Schumacher understandably glancing right every time he passed the incident for any indication of his brother's condition.

Crazily, the safety car led the field through the debris of the accident for lap after lap, rather than going through the pitlane.

Schumacher, Raikkonen, Barrichello and Trulli all stopped under the safety car but a number of other runners, including the BARs of Button and Sato, did not.

This turned out to be a big blunder as both cars were forced to stop just a handful of laps after the restart.

Button's race ended soon after with gearbox problems but clearly Sato could have been a contender for victory had his team not botched his strategy.

By Button's estimation the BAR was the best car on the track and Sato set a scorching pace in the middle of race.

The Japanese driver eventually finished third, his first ever podium, but it could have been so much better.

Not surprisingly for such an incident-packed race, there was an exceptionally high rate of attrition. Only eight cars made it to the finish.

Aside from those cars eliminated in the early crashes, a number retired with mechanical failures.

And Williams suffered their third disqualification in the space of a week when Juan Pablo Montoya was black-flagged in the closing stages of the race.

The Colombian's race car would not start so he abandoned it on the grid and switched to the spare. Unfortunately, he was just seconds too slow in his efforts to get off the track so was thrown out.

The upshot of this was that, as in Canada, there were a few unexpected points scorers.

Jarno Trulli, who had started last after suffering a mechanical problem in qualifying, moved all the way up to fourth place while Olivier Panis celebrated his 150th race with a strong fifth place.

Remarkably, for a race in which there were so few finishers, McLaren managed to get both cars to the chequered flag. Kimi Raikkonen was sixth, despite having to make two unscheduled stops due to an engine problem, while David Coulthard was seventh.

Few people could begrudge the fact that the final point went to Minardi's Zsolt Baumgartner.

It was the team's first point for more than two years while Baumgartner becomes the first Hungarian ever to score.

Minardi's celebrations - and the positive news over Ralf's condition - meant one of the most dramatic races in years had a happy ending.

5:54 PM
t.r.a.c.y

RALF 'COULD MISS FRENCH GP'

Williams will let Ralf Schumacher decide for himself whether he races in the French GP in a fortnight's time.

Ralf escaped unhurt from a massive incident in Sunday's US Grand Prix at Indianapolis.

However, the Williams driver spent the night in hospital and is expected to remain there for the next few days.

Asked if Ralf would be fit to race at Magny Cours, BMW boss Mario Theissen said: "There is clearly a question mark.

"I cannot tell now what it will be but it has to be his own decision.

"He will stay here overnight in the hospital just as a precaution and tomorrow he has to decide what to do."

Theissen visited Schumacher before he was transferred to hospital.

He said: "I went to see him in the medical centre, I talked to him.

"He said he could move all his bones, he reported a back pain so he was quite okay talking to me.

"I cannot really judge on the impact of such an accident.

"I think if the racing driver is ready to race, it is obvious that he will race. If not, we have to see what to do."

5:53 PM
t.r.a.c.y

MICHAEL'S RELIEF

Michael Schumacher admitted he was shaken by brother Ralf's US Grand Prix crash.

Ralf crashed out of the race on lap 11 at the fastest point on the circuit.

While marshals and medics helped Ralf, Michael led the field around behind the safety car.

And every time he passed the scene of the crash, the world champion could be seen to take an anxious glance to the right.

He said: "I was shocked when I saw it was Ralf. I saw the way he hit the barriers so I was very concerned."

Eventually Schumacher’s Ferrari team radioed him to inform him that Ralf was unhurt. He was then updated on his brother’s condition at the end of the race.

He said: "I just got the info that Ralf is okay and that's all that matters."

The crucial moment of the race was when Schumacher managed to pass team-mate Rubens Barrichello at the end of the first safety car period.

He said: "I managed to slipstream Rubens and get past. We had a flexible strategy, Rubens on a longer first stint and me on a longer second one.

"In the final stint, Rubens was quicker than me as he had fresher tyres which is why he pushed me very hard for a couple of laps and we had a very close fight.

"I had to manage my tyres, which were marginal on blistering, getting better once they had worn down a bit, so allowing me to push again."

Barrichello, who started from pole, added: "I am happy to leave North America with sixteen points, but a little bit disappointed as I felt I could have won both here and in Canada.

My car was excellent today, but when the safety car came in, my tyre pressures were too low and I got wheelspin at the final corner, which is why Michael was able to slipstream me and get past as I could not close the door.

"I am now keener than ever to win a race as soon as possible."

5:53 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKS: WE WANT THE FEEL-GOOD FACTOR

Martin Lipton, Chief Football Writer

DAVID BECKHAM recalled the agony of England's last European Championship campaign and vowed he will not feel the same way tonight.

Sven Goran Eriksson's team need only a draw against Croatia in Lisbon's Estadio de Luz to ensure their place in the quarter-finals.

Four years ago, though, that was exactly the same position Kevin Keegan's side found themselves in ahead of their last group game with Romania, after throwing away a lead against Portugal and then beating Germany.

What happened next is still a sore point, as Phil Neville's mistimed challenge on Viorel Moldovan gave the Romanians a last-minute penalty and sent England heading for the plane home after a 3-2 defeat.

Tonight, after that horrible ending against France and a bounce-back win over the Swiss, the parallels are worryingly similar. But for Beckham it is time to put that memory to bed forever with a performance and display that will lay England's 2004 cards on the table.

Beckham said: "The dressing-room after the Romania game wasn't the best place I have ever been.

"There were a lot of strong characters there, people like Alan Shearer and Paul Ince and losing a game like that, especially after we had just beaten the Germans after so many years, was such a shock.

"I don't know whether we became complacent or we just expected to go through but it wasn't a nice situation and I wouldn't like another memory like that.

"There was a lot of frustration in the dressing-room after the Portugal game because we were 2-0 up, cruising, then all of a sudden they came back into the game and beat us.

"There was frustration with what had happened on the pitch and what had gone on in the stands."

That last point is a reference to the disgusting slurs aimed at Beckham and his family by a handful of English yobs as he walked off the pitch in Eindhoven.

Beckham rose above the taunts to lay on Shearer's winner against Germany but the skipper accepts that the situation facing England tonight is almost identical.

He added: "There are similarities with Euro 2000 but you have to forget about all those things in competitions and not worry about what went on in the past.

"We played so well against France and lost. We didn't play as well against Switzerland but won. Now the timing is right. The stadium is going to be great. We are going to have nearly all the fans in the stadium and there will be no excuses.

"What happened four years ago is in the past. We have to move on and make sure it doesn't happen again by winning against Croatia."

Beckham's determination to turn this campaign into one that ends in glory back in the Estadio de Luz on July 4, was only intensified by the events last Sunday against France.

But he also feels that the end of the heatwave that descended on Portugal for the first week of the tournament will allow England to go out and show their real selves.

After playing in 100 degree heat in Coimbra on Thursday, the temperature at kick-off time tonight will be nearer 70 degrees.

"Playing in that sort of heat is very hard," Beckham added. "There's an unbelievable difference between the 5pm and 7.45 kick-offs.

"All the players walked out on to the pitch for the warm-up in Coimbra and couldn't believe how hot it was. We realised then it was going to be tough. You will get more running forward from the midfielders against Croatia because it will be a lot cooler.

"Players become a lot quicker and sharper in the later kick-off games. Now we know it will be evening kick-offs all the way to the final and that's good for us."

Beckham accepts the atmosphere back home is already fevered, despite the heartbreaking set-back at the hands of Zinedine Zidane but insisted the players are in the mood to turn those hopes into reality.

He said: "People at home are always like that. If we had beaten the French, we would have been in the final already in their thinking.

"Maybe, in a funny way, it was good the first game went like that because the expectations were 'we know what we have to do now'.

"People at home will say England should beat Croatia - and we should do - but football is not like that. It's going to be tough.

"After the first game we heard the way the French team were celebrating but teams will do that.

"The day after the game, a lot of the players were down, including myself. But the day after that, the players couldn't wait to get into the Switzerland game.

"That is what this team is like. We have a lot of experienced players and we also have young players who just want to go out there, play football and enjoy it like they did when they were 10-years-old over the park.

"We are not concerned about what the French were doing. It doesn't offend us. But it is one of those things you don't want to hear again. Hopefully we will not hear that again." Especially tonight.

Then

EURO 2000, FIRST STAGE England 2 Portugal 3: England were ahead and cruising in their opening match against Portugal but blew a two-goal lead and were unable to reply when the Portuguese took over.

England 1 Germany 0: Alan Shearer's goal revived morale when his header gave England their first competitive win over Germany since the 1966 World Cup Final.

England 2 Rumania 3: Kevin Keegan's side faced eastern European opposition in their final game, needing only a draw to go through and in the stadium where they had beaten the Germans.

There were just two minutes to go when Phil Neville tripped Viorel Moldovan and Viorel Ganea stroked the spot-kick past stand-in keeper Nigel Martyn.

NOW

EURO 2004, FIRST STAGE England 1 France 2: England looked to have done everything to start with a win after Frank Lampard's first half header. But Zinedine Zidane had other ideas with a late free-kick and an even later penalty

England 3 Switzerland 0: Make-or-break second match and this time Wayne Rooney was the hero as Switzerland were smashed 3-0. Michael Owen has struggled to show his quality as he did in the opening Euro 2000 games. Eriksson will hope a goal tonight will not be the same false dawn as his strike against Romania.

Once again, England need a draw with eastern European opponents to go through and in a stadium they are visiting for the second time. But Eriksson's side negotiated similar hurdles against Nigeria in the World Cup and Turkey to reach the finals.

5:45 PM
t.r.a.c.y

I WILL GET BECK TO MY BEST!

By Andy Dunn

DAVID BECKHAM has admitted for the first time his fitness levels were LOW before the start of Euro 2004.

And while he claims to be happy with his form, the England captain vowed to get BETTER as the tournament goes on.

The SP understands Beckham, usually among the top-scorers in Sven Goran Eriksson's rigorous fitness tests, had dropped down the ladder when he was put through his paces at a pre-championship get-together.

And last night he said: "I didn't realise just how much fitness I had lost since my last game for Real Madrid at the end of the season. My fitness was not as high as it usually is.

"But as each game comes, I feel a lot better. My fitness level is getting higher. I am happy with my fitness now despite someone saying the other day I wasn't fit at all."

Beckham says he has not been hurt by suggestions his own game has slipped below the required standard from an England captain.

Or by sly digs that suggest the biggest impact he has made at Euro 2004 has been on the billboards.

The claims go: Becks is the face of adidas but hasn't earned his stripes; the face of Gillette but hasn't cut it; the face of Pepsi but hasn't sparkled.

During the defeat by France, Beckham featured in THREE half-time commercials, earning him an estimated 750,000pounds from adidas, Gillette and Pepsi.

But he said: "I'd play football for free. I've never questioned my form and contribution to the England team. I was all right against France and my positional play was a lot better against the Swiss. And without doubt, I will get better.

"Obviously it's different for me having played in the middle for all of last season, but I did play on the right for ten years before that. And if you are a player at a high level, you should be able to move from the middle to the right. It's not nice when you are criticised, but I never doubt my own ability."

Beckham supplied the cross for Frank Lampard's goal against the French, though virtually everything else he tried went awry.

But he insists his performance against the Swiss in Coimbra showed he is getting back in the zone.

Beckham explained: "My passing in the Swiss game was back to what I know it can be. I always work on my passing if I think it hasn't been what it should be."

The Real Madrid star is aiming to peak, now the business part of the Euro 2004 has really started.

And he says England, seemingly wracked with nerves in the first half against the Swiss, will go into the showdown with Croatia full of confidence.

Beckham said: "We played well against the French, but the heat didn't help our performance in Coimbra. The result has brought this side even closer together. We got a lot of confidence from it.

"We are not going into the Croatia game thinking we just want a draw and just want to get through .... we want a win and we want to finish with six points."

And in Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, Beckham thinks England have a combination that can destroy anyone at the finals. Beckham added to the avalanche of praise for Rooney by saying: "He is a special talent. The players knew that, a lot of England fans knew that .... now the whole of Europe is finding out about Wayne Rooney.

"And I'm not worried about Michael's form. He needs a good chance and then he will score and then the goals will come. It's just a question of believing in your own ability and Michael does that.

"I have got full faith in Michael Owen."

And he has full faith in Eriksson's tactics, taking the opportunity to nail the rumour of a players' revolt over the midfield formation prior to the victory over the Swiss.

"It was nothing like that," he laughed. "Mr Eriksson called the midfielders to a meeting and asked for our views and then made his own decision. That is how it should be and that is how it is."

Beckham again declared England ''don't fear anyone'' but he reassured the nation there would be no complacency against the Croats.

"We have been in this situation before and it has backfired," he said. "We are not taking the Croatian team lightly, we can't afford to. But we won't go out there with a fear of losing either."

Beckham says the players have been boosted by the presence of their families during allocated times over 48 hours away from a game.

He joked: "Chasing the kids around the swimming pool certainly boosts your fitness!"

But Beckham knows the fun stops tomorrow when England walk out in the Estadio da Luz ... a game away from a quarter-final or the plane home.

"It is time for us to deliver in a major tournament," declared Beckham. "With this team and with these players, it is unthinkable that we will go out at this stage."

5:45 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Posh's Peru heartache

VICTORIA BECKHAM reveals her heartache at meeting orphans in Peru in a moving three-day diary.

She broke down in tears after working with the poverty-stricken children for a TV documentary.

Posh, 30, admits she felt ashamed of her pampered lifestyle with hubby, England skipper and Real Madrid ace David, 29, and sons Brooklyn, five, and 21-month-old Romeo.

She also tells how she grew close to Dinah, an 11-year-old girl scratching a living from a rubbish dump in Peru's capital, Lima.

Victoria visited South America to make a Sport Relief documentary, A Mile In Their Shoes, to be screened on BBC1 next Sunday at 5.45pm.

It also features TV presenter Nick Knowles in Zambia and comedian Patrick Kielty in India. Here is Victoria's account in her own words.

Sunday, May 16

VERY early start. Leave Brooklyn and Romeo in my bed cos have to be out by 4.30 and they’re asleep. Said goodbye to them last night - told them I'm away for "two sleeps."

Arrival at airport, check-in and filming all go well.

In my luggage are the boys' sweets - went to the Makro store yesterday to stock up.

Spent most of last night with Brooklyn and Romeo sitting in a row like a little factory line sharing them out into hundreds of bags to give the kids I meet.

Also looked in Brooklyn and Romeo's boxes of toys. Tried to explain to the boys that the children in Peru have nothing.

Short flight to Madrid where we have to change for Lima. Talk to camera during long flight to Peru.

Hope that this trip helps out Sport Relief and does some good.

Arrive Lima, usual security. Check in, do a bit of filming then hit the sack. 6am start tomorrow.

Monday, May 17

UP before the sun. Grab a quick breakfast in my room. Spoke to David last night. He's also filming for Sport Relief today.

Drive out to the community. The only smart places in Lima seem to be petrol stations for some reason.

Turn off main road into a barren area that looks like a lunar landscape. There are scattered ramshackle shacks, some built on the side of steep hills, and skinny dogs.

Dead dog in the road. Feels a bit like I imagine the world to look if there was a nuclear attack.

I'm here over the next two days to see the world through the eyes of a little 11-year-old girl called Dinah. I start the day with her.

First is breakfast. Dinah collects water from a drum at the gate. They have to buy this at 50 cents a time from the water truck.

The meal is a kind of porridge, the same as they'll have for dinner tonight - if they're lucky.

Dinah's house. They are trying to grow a garden but are really struggling because it's just so dry. Dinah is gorgeous, very outgoing, full of love and enjoys having hugs.

Her dad, Alfonso, is very dignified. Her mum died of cancer three years ago. It's common here.

Dinah gets wood fire going, boils water. She's so hard-working but has so much responsibility. Their house is so tidy yet it's just stuff stuck together with plastic sheeting for a roof.

Try to help while Dinah goes through daily routine. After half an hour, meal is ready.

Awful taste with flavour of the wood fire. But it's all they've got.

I think about taking Brooklyn and Romeo home from hospital when they were born and the hopes I had for them. I think about Dinah's mum who died and how she must have loved her child.

My kids went home to a totally clean, sterilised, safe environment. Dinah went home to a house with danger and disease all around her. But the families here just have to get on with it. There's no choice.

How can there be such huge differences in how people live? Why? Here I am surrounded by plastic bags, oil drums, scraps of this and that. All representing something of value to them.

The house has brick walls but it's built on rubbish. The smell is strong and unpleasant. No one should have to live like this.

Dinah spots my painted nails, says they are beautiful.

The next four hours are some of the strangest I've ever had - I dig up scraps of rubbish from the ground alongside Dinah. I have a knife, she uses her bare hands like she does every single day.

With an experienced eye, she sifts aluminium, plastic, glass, tin, paper and bones. All are laid in neat piles before being taken to the house and added to sacks before selling on.

Everything here is worth something and often gets sold on. All kids help their families to work.

Organisations such as the ones helping Dinah have tried to help the people to recycle, showing them how to do it better to make as much money as they can, which is still a miserable amount.

It's not fair, the difference between her life and that of a kid her age at home. When I think of my kids and their rooms and what they have and I look at Dinah it breaks my heart.

I know people may criticise me for doing this, saying it's just for publicity. But nothing could be further from the truth.

If I can do some good by being here, that's why I'm doing it - to show people what it's really like.

You can't help but be moved, overwhelmed and compassionate - this is really emotional stuff.

The rubbish picking goes on. The sun's high and the stench is intolerable. We find bits of bone, tweezers, toothpaste tubes, squashed cans.

Dinah's looking for the right shapes of glass, not too straight but a bit curved. Perhaps the shaped stuff gets a better price.

Felt it was important to really get stuck in to show her that I could at least do for a little while what she has to do all day, every day.

The last bit of madness today is with "fresh" rubbish. The stuff picked up from middle-class homes in Lima. Trucks pass through with it on the way to the tip. Kids work in teams diving into the rubbish, looking for stuff that could be useful. The bags are covered in flies and bugs.

I met a brother-and-sister team aged just eight and six. He throws stuff out and she collects it. They take it home to their parents.

I met four kids, Joheyard, Ines, Pilar and Pracely. They're great. Lively, interested, a bit cheeky and great fun - if David was here he'd feel like taking them home too.

I'm having a hug with a little girl called Brigid. She looks like a lost soul, then her mum scoops her up and we all follow the truck.

I spot a little boy called Roy wandering around, unaware of the filming and noise. He reminds me of Romeo - a bit distracted, everything going over his head.

I hand out some signed pictures of David that I brought with me and entertain the kids briefly with a few snatches of the Spice Girls hit Wannabe - seemed to go down well!

I've brought a picture story in Spanish with me, which I read with Dinah when she's in bed. She clocks that my Spanish isn't up to scratch so decides to give me a lesson. We head back to town.

Believe it or not, the council are watering the central reservation, which has the only grass for miles. Where the poor have to buy water!

Someone has got their priorities wrong, big time.

Tuesday, May 18

PROJECT people from organisation ChildHope are teaching the kids how to sow seeds so they can grow stuff to supplement their diet. The kids work hard and seem to like it.

Chat with David trying to explain what it's like - hard. He's planning to take the kids to the circus. Tell him to make sure Brooklyn does his spellings and say hi to Romeo too.

Drive back to main community. Pass a few tiny shops with things like oil, sugar. Not much on offer.

Go to medical centre. See a range of kids with the doctor who are full of energy. Keep asking me to sing.

Next we look at some of the positive work being done with the kids.

We head to a fertile valley ten minutes away. I meet a cute little boy, Giovanni. I've heard his mum is dead. He has a wound over his left eye, which we dress. For the first time I lose it when I'm at doctor's.

There's a woman and a bundle of stuff on examination couch. Only when the bundle moves do I realise it's a baby girl.

She has respiratory problems. She's such a tiny thing, it's awful and really gets to me and shakes me up. I feel so sad and so helpless and yet I really want to help. People shouldn't have to live like this.

Everything I've seen today has made me emotional. It gets to me like it would to any mum. Though I'm tearful, I feel I should be strong, like the people here.

The problem is that the humid, hot climate causes breathing problems here, plus women are undernourished and their breast milk doesn't give immunity. The result can be pneumonia - a killer.

Houses are not insulated, kids live in damp rooms with dirty floors and work in rubbish every day.

After returning from the medical centre, I take my leave of Dinah. She's been a star. In her house I paint her nails, like I promised, and leave everything I have, including a few books.

It's only been two-and-a-half days but it has felt like a lifetime. I'm so pleased I came.

The kids in Lima who have to work picking rubbish all day really deserve better.

They deserve to go to school, have a safe home and enough food and health care.

What they do have is plenty of love and spirit. And Sport Relief is trying to help with local projects. I urge you to watch the documentary.

5:37 PM
t.r.a.c.y

STRAWBERRY MEALS FOREVER

From Shekhar Bhatia In Portugal And Susie Boniface

VICTORIA Beckham has gone on a bizarre diet of just strawberries.

She has been snubbing healthy meat-and-salad dishes at the Portuguese hotel where the wives and girlfriends of the English soccer team are staying during Euro 2004.

Friends are concerned that already stick-thin Posh, 30, could end up wasting away if she carries on with her strawberry diet.

Ironically, her husband David's former PA Rebecca Loos revealed how he hand-fed her strawberries during their steamy affair.

A fellow footballer's wife staying with Victoria at the luxury Penha Longa Hotel and Golf Resort told the Sunday Mirror: "She just eats strawberries and turns away all the great breakfasts and salads that everyone else tucks into. Most days she has only one meal and that is strawberries.

"Sometimes she just sits there drinking mineral water while we all tuck in. It is a bit strange."

Health experts have also warned that her rigid diet - which can perk up the libido - could lead to diarrhoea, loss of energy and irritation of the gut.

Nutritionist Zoe Tebbutt said the vitamin C, fruit and anti-oxidants in strawberries would clear up Victoria's notoriously spotty skin and have some health benefits.

But she also warned that she was dicing with danger if she stuck to the diet for more than a few days - and might even threaten the possibility of having a third child if she persists with it.

"A two-day detox eating a mixture of fruit and vegetables, and plenty of water and multi-vitamins, would probably be quite good for you," she said. "But in this case she is not getting any protein, so her cells will not be able to regenerate and she will feel very weak."

Victoria is staying at the hotel with sons Romeo, 18 months, and Brooklyn, five, along with Beckham's mum Sandra. David and the other players are allowed to associate with their partners only occasionally during the championships.

ZILLI RECIPES

WE asked celebrity chef Aldo Zilli (above) to come up with some strawberry recipes that might tempt Posh's palate...Deep fried strawberrieMIX sparkling water, black pepper and cornflour until they form a smooth batter. Dip strawberries in mix then deep-fry for two minutes or until light golden brown. Serve with chutney or sweet chilli jam.Strawberry pizzaTAKE a pizza base and layer the sliced strawberries on it like a flan. Sprinkle them with sugar and lemon juice and bake for eight minutes.Strawberry risotto MELT butter in pan and add rice, stirring until it begins to glisten. Slowly add sugared water so it is absorbed by rice. Two minutes before rice is cooked, add pinch of nutmeg and sliced strawberries. Cook for two minutes and serve.Strawberries with spaghettMELT some butter in a pan, add chocolate and a bit of milk so that sauce is not too thick. Add the strawberries, with some sugar and lemon juice, stir until they are covered. Toss with cooked spaghetti and serve immediately.

5:34 PM
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EURO 2004

Becks: I'm not jealous

By MARK IRWIN in Lisbon

DAVID Beckham last night insisted he is NOT jealous at being shunted from the limelight by new idol Wayne Rooney.

England skipper Becks, 29, has become accustomed to being the centre of attention as the world's most famous footballer.

But Roomania has exploded since the 18-year-old striker's sensational performances against France and Switzerland.

On the eve of tonight's Group B decider against Croatia, Becks said: "I'm happy Wayne is getting the attention - he deserves it.

"Wayne has been the most impressive player of the tournament."

Rooney got a dressing-room ovation for becoming the Euro Championships' youngest ever scorer.

Becks continued: "He's coped really well with all the praise and attention. He just treats the whole thing as though nothing has happened."

Rooney may be unlikely to become a Becks-style fashion icon, but the Real Madrid midfielder joked: "Is he going to turn up with tattoos and an earring? You never know! I think he's got a couple of tattoos already."

Rooney is looking so rampant bookies Ladbrokes are giving odds of 6-4 on him getting stunning girlfriend Colleen McLoughlin PREGNANT during Euro 2004.

5:31 PM
t.r.a.c.y

US GRAND PRIX TERROR ALERT

From Byron Young At Indianapolis

JENSON BUTTON was being protected by armed guards as today's United States Grand Prix went on terrorist alert.

Hundreds of armed officers as well as agents from the FBI, CIA and state police have been called in to protect the Grand Prix stars and the expected 100,000 crowd.

Fears of an attack have escalated in the last few days following rising tension in the Middle East over terrorist atrocities, and police foiling an alleged plot to blow up a shopping centre in Columbus, Ohio.

Airliners have been diverted and will not be allowed to fly over the track, and a helicopter is being used in the 250,000pounds security operation.

Concerns have increased across the United States after al-Qaeda threatened revenge over the killing of their Saudi cell leader Abdulaziz al-Moqrin in a shoot-out with Saudi Arabian security forces.

That was in response to the beheading of American Paul Johnson near Riyadh.

An Indianapolis Speedway official said the circuit would be on orange alert, the second-highest level of risk.

Hundreds of armed police officers have been stationed around the sprawling 559-acre site for the last three days.

Bomb squads with sniffer dogs are operating in the grandstands and car parks, and specialist armed response teams are on standby.

Random searches will be carried out of beer coolers and bags, as fans flood in to the track for the ninth round of the world championship.

Inside the paddock, armed undercover officers kept an eye on the sport's top stars including BAR's Button, world champ Michael Schumacher, Juan Pablo Montoya and David Coulthard.

They also have orders to protect the sport's billionaire ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone, one of the world's richest men, and the circuit's millionaire owner Tony George.

"Officers and agents are looking out for behaviour that doesn't fit the environment," said Peter Beering, head of the state's anti-terrorism force.

In May, US officials obtained "highly credible" intelligence of plans for a major summer offensive by al-Qaeda within the US.

Schumacher's mind though is on his bid to win a record seventh world title. The champion slated Grand Prix bosses for penalising him for being so successful.

He criticised the new points system, used for the last two years, which has cut the winner's points advantage in half.

"If I don't finish here and Rubens Barrichello wins, my lead would be only six points. I am not sure if that is right," said Schumacher.

But rising star Mark Webber said: "He has made a rod for his own back. It was set up to keep the championship alive for longer after he buried it quite early a few years ago."

5:21 PM
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BECKS: I'M FIT AND ON TOP FORM

Anthony Clavane Reports From Lisbon

DAVID BECKHAM has hit out at the moaning minnies undermining England's Euro 2004 campaign.

The skipper's own form and fitness have been questioned and, despite Sven's men needing only a draw against Croatia to get through to the quarter- finals, critics have laid into them for a lacklustre display against the Swiss.

Becks is also incensed about being depicted as an Arthur Scargill figure, supposedly leading a players' revolt against the Swede's tactics before Thursday's game.

And he can't believe critics are calling for Michael Owen to be dropped.

Beckham fumed: "I have never questioned my own form and contribution to the England team.

"It's all about believing in your own ability, and I never doubt my own ability.

"I'm happy with my performances, especially my passing against the Swiss.

"It's not nice when you're criticised but it doesn't hurt me. I think I've done quite well.

"Someone said the other day that I wasn't fit at all. But I feel good.

"I didn't realise how much fitness I'd lost since the end of the season.

"Since my last game for Real Madrid my fitness wasn't as high as it should have been, but it's much better now."

And he added: "Some people have been critical of the way we performed against Switzerland but we got the job done and that was the most important thing - we got the three points."

Talk of player power is, he insists, way off the mark.

Pundits have suggested Beckham, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard told Eriksson to change from a diamond midfield formation to a flat four against Switzerland.

Beckham said: "When you've got a manager who sits down and listens to the team it's really good.

"It was never like a trade union delegation visiting him. He came to me and said: 'Let's have a meeting with all the midfielders and talk about it.'

"It wasn't players knocking on his door saying we wanted to play a certain way - we respect him too much.

"I had no influence at all. The final decision was always the manager's.

"The relationship we've got with him is a good one. We had a meeting about the diamond and the flat four but it was his final decision.

"As captain, the manager always comes to me and asks how players are feeling."

As for Owen, he is convinced the out-of-sorts striker will bounce back against Croatia. He said: "Michael's been doing it at a high level for years now. He's still young. When he gets a goal they'll all come.

"It's all about confidence, and he got a lot of confidence from setting Wayne's goal up the other day.

"Hopefully that'll give him a boost to get his first against the Croats. I've got full faith in Michael Owen."

The Real Madrid star is still haunted by the way England were knocked out of Euro 2000.

They went into the last match needing a point - but lost and went home early.

"Everybody was so up about beating the Germans and confident we were already through.

"I remember Gary Neville going round the team and saying, 'This is not over yet, let's get back in the changing room and prepare for the next game'.

"But we didn't play as well against Romania and they knocked us out. I've got very bad memories of that night and we can't let it happen again. So we are not taking the Croatian team lightly.

"We can't afford to be complacent, otherwise we're out of the competition.

"We played well against the French and lost, we didn't play as well in the Swiss game but we won. It was probably good for us, in a funny way, to lose to France - if we'd beat the champions in the first game people would have got carried away.

"My message to fans is to keep supporting us like they are doing.

"Some of the scenes at home are incredible - carry on supporting us like that and the boys will do their best. It's time England delivered."

Qualification Rules

IF TEAMS end up level on points, the first criterion to decide which finishes higher is the result of the group match between the two.

So, if England and Switzerland finish with the same number of points, England will take precedence because of Thursday's win.

If the group match between the teams was a draw, the nation with the better goal difference is placed higher.

If the teams are still equal, the team with most goals scored has the edge.

And if they are still level, it goes to the toss of a coin...

Players with a single yellow card will have the booking wiped off their record before the knockout games start.

Knock-out matches level at 90 minutes can be decided by the 'silver goal'. If one side score in the first half of extra time and are still ahead at the end of that 15-minute period, the game is over. Likewise, if a side score in the second half of extra time and hold the lead, they are the winners at the final whistle. If the teams are still level, they go to penalties.

5:13 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Becks' 14 years of hurt

From MARK IRWIN

DAVID BECKHAM wants to win Euro 2004 - and end a 14-year wait since he last lifted a trophy as a captain.

The Real Madrid superstar is desperate to prove himself as one of England's greatest captains.

He revealed: "The only trophy I've lifted as a captain was when I was a 15-year-old kid playing for Manchester United’s youth team.

"We won a competition in Ireland called the Milk Cup. I can't remember the name of the team we beat in the final but I think Ben Thornley scored the winner. Scholesy, Gary Neville and Nicky Butt were also playing.

"That was 14 years ago and it would be nice to lift another trophy on July 4.

"I've achieved a great deal and have been lucky to win the European Cup, the Premier League and the FA Cup.

"I was also voted runner-up in the World Player of the Year but to win something with my country would top it all off.

"Winning the Treble with United is probably the highlight of my career and it would be hard to top that. But winning the European Championship with England would be an amazing achievement.

"I'd love to win Euro 2004 for the whole country. We deserve it as a nation and our fans deserve it as well. The support we get is incredible. No other country enjoys the backing we get as England players.

"We've walked out against France and Switzerland and the stadium has been three-quarters full with our fans. I'm sure it will be the same against Croatia.

"It's like playing a home game and that's what pushes the lads through the tough times. The supporters have done their job and now it's up to us to do ours.

"The euphoria after England won the Rugby World Cup was phenomenal and something like 750,000 people turned up when they paraded the trophy.

"But there would be a lot more than that on the streets of London if this team could win something.

"I never want to have any regrets in my career and so far I don't have any.

"But if I was to finish playing without winning a trophy with England there would be a real feeling of something missing."

Beckham and Co have been asked by coach Sven Goran Eriksson to produce the resolve they showed in getting a gutsy 0-0 with Turkey in Istanbul to qualify for these finals.

Eriksson said: "We must have the same attitude and focus against Croatia we had there.

"If we don't go into this game in that way, then it will be difficult for us.

"We need only a point against Croatia but it would be far better for us to win. A draw is enough to go to the quarter-finals but I don't think we can play or think that way.

"We have to go out looking to win, as we always do."

Eriksson's job is safe even if England come unstuck tonight.

FA chief executive Mark Palios said: "Whatever happens, there is no question of Sven not being retained."

5:10 PM
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Friday, June 18, 2004

BECKS LEADS DIAMOND REVOLT

From John Cross

ENGLAND skipper David Beckham led a show of player- power, forcing coach Sven Goran Eriksson to abandon his plans to play a diamond formation against Switzerland last night.

England's senior stars had ameeting with Eriksson and persuaded him to ditch his midfield plans for the Group B clash and stick with a 4-4-2-2 formation. Beckham revealed the players believe the formation is the winning formula and can help them go on to win Euro 2004.

Reviving memories of the 1990 World Cup when senior players convinced boss Bobby Robson he should change tactics, Beckham said: "We all decided and the manager decided 4-4-2 was best.

"The most important thing was that he sat all the midfielders down and asked 'what do you feel best doing?' "He told us 'I'm the manager and make the final decision but I will listen to you as well.' We felt more comfortable in a 4-4-2.

"When you play a system you get used to it and that's what we did tonight.

"We played some good football in that system and so why change it when we need to carry it on now."

England's tactics worked in the searing heat of Coimbra.

They struggled in the heat early on before Wayne Rooney grabbed a first-half header and then hit a stunning second-half shot which rebounded off the post and in off keeper Jorg Stiel, before Steven Gerrard grabbed a third.

Switzerland are writing off their Championships, even though a victory over France on Monday could see them go through to the last eight.

Coach Kobi Kuhn said: "It will be hard and very difficult to beat against European and a former world champion. We will try to make a good match to show a good performance and we will try our best."

Part of the problem is in attack and Kuhn admitted the absence of injured forwards Marco Streller and Leonard Thurre was a factor.

"We don't have a lot of good strikers in Switzerland and two of our best strikers were injured during the preparations so we have not too many offensive players to lead play," he said.

Switzerland opened the tournament on Sunday with a 0-0 draw against Croatia when Johan Vogel was sent off in the 50th minute also for a second caution and again finished with 10 men after Bernt Haas was dismissed. For the second time we played in the second half with 10 players only.

"That's very hard under t this heat," said Kuhn. "The second goal of the English team, there was a foul against Patrick Muller, as everybody has seen. We would just like to play once 11 against 11."

6:45 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EURO 2004

Lose, and dad's on plane

Air we go ... Brooklyn, wearing an England T-shirt,
shows off his drawing of a plane at match

By JULIE MOULT

BROOKLYN Beckham had a plane message for his dad at the match: "Good job you won, or you'd have been flying home on one of these!"

That's cheating! ... Swiss fans with a
saucy plea to Posh to put off Becks

The footie-mad five-year-old sat on mum Posh's knee during the match - proudly clutching a picture of an aeroplane it looked like he had just drawn.

Fortunately it was the only draw we got last night and Brooklyn sat transfixed as dad David led the team to a convincing victory.

Swiss fans even tried to put Becks off his stride - by calling for Victoria to cheat on him.

They held up a banner during the game with the message: "Victoria betray him with me ... And me."

But Becks and the England team are not safe yet.

Cross looks ... England lad cheers on team

They could still find themselves in a right mess if they lose their match against Croatia on Monday.

So Brooklyn's next drawing for his dad might be of a POTTY.

4:41 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Euro-Beckham praises maturity of two-goal Rooney

By Trevor Huggins

COIMBRA, Portugal, June 17 (Reuters) - David Beckham paid tribute to the maturity of record-breaker Wayne Rooney on Thursday after the teenager fired England to a 3-0 victory over Switzerland at Euro 2004.

The 18-year-old struck twice to become the youngest scorer at a European Championship and put England's Group B campaign back on the rails after their sickening 2-1 loss to France.

"He's the youngest ever scorer in the championships and he deserved it tonight because he worked hard and played well," the England captain told reporters.

"He's one of the players tonight who showed maturity.

"There was a spell in the first half when he was getting kicked from behind.

"After he scored, a few players went over and said 'that's the way to show your frustration -- by scoring goals' and that's what he's done."

Rooney was booked shortly before scoring his first goal and was clearly struggling to keep his volatile temper in check.

"Sometimes when you're 18 and that happens, you can either drift out of the game or you can fight back," Beckham said. "And he was fighting back tonight."

Beckham was upbeat about an England performance which started unconvincingly and finished strongly only after the dismissal of Swiss defender Bernt Haas on the hour.

"I think we paced ourselves well," said the skipper.

NERVOUS ENGLAND

"Maybe for the first 20 minutes we were a bit anxious, a bit nervous, but once we got the ball down and spread the play, we were always going to go through them.

"We've got a young team and even experienced players get anxious at times and maybe that was the case tonight.

"But a lot of young players showed a lot of maturity and that's what got us through."

Though a huge boost to England's battered morale after Sunday's stoppage-time defeat, victory still leaves them with a job to finish in Monday's final group game against Croatia.

"It settles us down a lot because now we've got points on the board and we've got a wind behind us," Beckham said.

"But we've still got to go and do it against Croatia."

Beckham also revealed a show of player power in Sven-Goran Eriksson's decision to stick with their 4-4-2 formation, rather than revert to a diamond-shaped midfield used during qualifying.

"He sat all the midfielders down and asked what we felt best doing. He said 'I'm the manager and I'll obviously make the final decision, but I'll listen to you as well'.

"We said the final decision was up to him but we felt more comfortable in a 4-4-2 formation.

"When you play a system, you get used to it and that's what is happening," Beckham said.

4:38 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Eriksson hails 'fantastic' Rooney

Wayne Rooney was tonight hailed as a 'fantastic talent' after becoming the youngest player to score in a European Championship finals.

The Everton star scored England's first goal in their 3-0 victory against Switzerland through a first-half header and then saw his fierce second-half shot cannon off a post, hit Swiss goalkeeper Jorg Stiel on the back of the head and go in.

Not surprisingly he was later claiming that one too. Steven Gerrard notched a third as England eventually eased to the three points they needed to keep alive their hopes of progressing from Group B after Switzerland were reduced to 10 men for the second successive game after West Brom full-back Bernt Haas was sent off for two bookable offences.

But it was Rooney, aged just 18 years and 237 days and who broke the record of Yugoslav Dragan Stojkovic by some seven months, who picked up the man-of-the-match award and all the plaudits.

'It's always great to break a record,' he said. 'But it's the team that matters. We played well but could have played better.

'It was a big day for us and we came through it in the end. It's a bit of a relief as we could have been out of the tournament if we'd lost.

'There's not much to say about the goals, Michael Owen put the ball on my head and I couldn't miss really.

'And for the second Darius (Vassell) held the ball up well and I hit it as hard as I could and luckily it went in. I'll be claiming it though. The second one finished the game off.

'When they were down to 10 men we passed the ball a lot better and went on to win the game with ease. It was a relief after the French game and we are back in it now.'

Eriksson admitted England had been nervous after their dramatic injury-time defeat against France and that Switzerland played better than his side for much of the match.

The England coach was just thankful for the striking quality which Rooney brought to his side.

Eriksson said: 'He is a fantastic player and a fantastic talent. He played very well against France and he scored two today, one more beautiful than the other.

'He's incredible. I hope he goes on like that for the rest of the tournament and after the tournament.

'I am very happy. You never know the reaction when you lose a game in the way we did the first game.'

Eriksson, however, did not shy away from criticising his players for again squandering possession on a sweltering afternoon.

'We started so-so and we didn't keep the ball well in the first-half,' he said. 'Our midfield should have kept the ball much better. It was important to do that with the heat today.

'Players without the ball didn't move well and we were a bit nervous. It was a must-win game but we went on to relax in the second half.

'Switzerland were better than us in the first half but with every minute in the second half we got better and better and the second goal killed the game. We needed that victory.'

Eriksson saluted the contribution of Gerrard, for whom speculation over his future at Liverpool has been a distraction over the past week.

'Gerrard played very well,' said Eriksson. 'He made and scored a goal. But Gerrard is nothing new for me. He is a complete player. He can sit or he can push on. He will do everything for you. He has everything as a football player.'

Eriksson substituted Michael Owen for the second game in a row in the 75th minute but insisted he had faith in the Liverpool striker, whose partnership with Rooney is one of the smallest in international football.

'It's not a classic partnership with one tall and one small and quick, but they play well together,' maintained Eriksson.

'Owen played well against France and he will be better on Monday. We'll see goals from Michael Owen in this tournament.'

Eriksson, however, warned against taking anything for granted against Croatia.

'We have to win that game as well,' said Eriksson. 'We hope to make another good performance or we will not go through. People thought it would be easier against Switzerland than it was against France but it wasn't at all.

'I always have said we are one team who can win the tournament but there are four or six teams who can win the tournament and that's good for football.

'We have a lot of good footballers and we have showed that many times in the past.'

4:35 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Beckham happiest in 4-4-2

David Beckham has revealed how England's midfield quartet asked Sven-Goran Eriksson to abandon any plans to play a diamond formation against Switzerland in today's victory in Coimbra.

Eriksson had been mulling over whether to switch formation back to a diamond system from the 4-4-2 line-up which came so close to defeating France.

But rather than placing Paul Scholes at the apex of the diamond, with Frank Lampard as the holding midfielder and Steven Gerrard exiled on the left, Eriksson instead listened to his players.

As a direct result of yesterday's meeting, the England coach kept faith with the central midfield duo of Lampard and Gerrard, with Scholes on the left and Beckham on the right.

The England captain revealed: 'The diamond formation was mentioned before the game, but we all decided and the manager decided that 4-4-2 was the best thing.

'The most important thing is that the manager listens to us. He sat all the midfielders down and asked what we felt best doing.

'He said 'I'm the manager and I'll obviously make the final decision, but I'll listen to you as well'.

'We said the final decision was up to him but we felt more comfortable in a 4-4-2 formation.'

Eriksson had used the diamond system for almost 18 months after switching to it with successful results at half-time in Slovakia in October 2002.

However, it failed to sparkle in the penultimate warm-up against Japan and Eriksson experimented with a normal English-style flat midfield quartet against Iceland in his final preparation match.

That was retained against France and, despite indications to the contrary from within the camp ahead of tonight's kick-off, Eriksson did not switch against Switzerland in the 3-0 victory.

'When you play a system, you get used to it and that's what is happening,' explained Beckham. 'We played some good football against the French in that formation so we felt, 'Why change it?' as we needed to carry it on.

'There might be another game where we will play the diamond, but we'll have to wait and see.'

Beckham, meanwhile, played down any concerns over his own fitness even though he was limping slightly as he left the ground.

'It's just blisters, like some of the other lads, but it's not a problem,' he maintained ahead of Monday's final group game against Croatia.

4:32 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Eriksson salutes 'good job done'

Sven-Goran Eriksson hailed a 'good job done' as England beat Switzerland 3-0 in Coimbra today.

The goals came from Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, either side of an own goal by Swiss goalkeeper Jorg Stiel, who was unfortunate as Rooney's shot rebounded back off a post and into the net via his head.

The results gives England renewed hope of qualifying for the quarter-finals and erases the memory of Sunday's last-gasp 2-1 defeat to France.

And Eriksson said: 'It's a good job done. When you lose as we did on Sunday you never know what the reaction will be. I thought the reaction would be very good - and it was. We were nervous at the beginning, it was difficult to keep the ball.

'But we've done the job and the three points are the most important thing today.'

Eriksson praised the contribution of Everton striker Rooney, who became the youngest player to score in the European Championships at the age of 18 years and 237 days.

The Swede said: 'He worked very hard and congratulations to him - at 18 that performance at this level is wonderful. The heat affected both teams but I'm happy because our fitness level is much better than it was in the World Cup in 2002 - so that's good for the future.'

Rooney claimed England were now back on course after their disappointing opening defeat.

The Everton striker said: 'It was a good result out there. It was a big day for us and we have come through in the end. It is a bit of a relief - a defeat and we would have been out of the tournament. 3-0 is good for us.'

Rooney said he would be claiming the goal which deflected in off Stiel's head.

He said: 'I just go out and play the game and I was lucky enough to score two goals. The first one Michael (Owen) put it right on my head and for the second I just hit it hard enough and luckily enough it went in.

'It's a relief after the France game. We're back on track now and we've got to go on and win the next game. It was not the best performance but when they had a man sent off we took advantage.'

2:49 AM
t.r.a.c.y

England 3-0 Switzerland

Wayne Rooney became the youngest player ever to score in a European Championships finals as England beat Switzerland 3-0 in the sweltering heat of Coimbra.

Rooney, aged 18 years and 237 days, struck midway through the first half to prompt England's recovery from the disappointment of the France defeat, and was also responsible for forcing Swiss keeper Jorg Stiel into conceding an own goal.

England though were far from convincing and it was only when Switzerland were reduced to 10 men for the last 30 minutes that they looked comfortable as Steven Gerrard wrapped the game up.

Both sides made just one change from their opening Group B games with John Terry replacing Ledley King after recovering from a hamstring injury while the Swiss had Fabio Celestini in for Johann Vogel, who had been red-carded against Croatia.

Eriksson did spring one surprise in that, unlike the Swiss, he opted not to play a diamond formation and the players spread out in a traditional 4-4-2 line-up.

The Swiss started the more brightly though with several Hakan Yakin set-pieces causing some discomfort in the England ranks - from one of which Gerrard nearly flicked a header into his own net.

Apart from a couple of Ashley Cole runs down the left, England made little headway in the opening 20 minutes with the strikers having barely a touch.

Terry made a good block to intercept Alexander Frei's 20-yard drive before there was finally a positive move by England. Frank Lampard's neat chip nearly put in Rooney but the Everton teenager managed only to pick up a caution for following through on keeper Stiel.

But in the 23rd minute England went ahead with their first decent move of the match. Celestini lost the ball in the middle of the park, Gerrard surged forward purposely before knocking a pass back to Beckham.

The England skipper picked out Michael Owen with a beautiful pass and he paused before dinking a short cross for Rooney to thump a close-range header past Stiel for his sixth England goal.

Murat Yakin's tackle stopped Owen from adding to the score then Paul Scholes had a 15-yard shot blocked.

England threatened again as Cole fired in an excellent cross, then David James was forced into a save by Stephane Chapuisat after Terry was guilty of conceding possession.

As the half drew to a close, the Swiss began to press England again and Murat Yakin tried his luck from 25 yards but was foot too high, then from a 20-yard indirect free-kick missed the post by an even closer margin.

Swiss boss Kobi Kuhn replaced Chapuisat with Daniel Gygax at the break and the 22-year-old almost made an immediate impact, heading past the angle with David James in no man's land.

Raphael Wicky drove a yard wide after a dangerous run from midfield then England wasted a promising situation when Sol Campbell won a header from a free-kick but tried to pick out Owen instead of going for goal.

Another Beckham cross ricocheted off Owen and Rooney but bounced out, then England's task was made much easier when West Brom full-back Bernt Haas was sent off for a second yellow card with 30 minutes left.

Rooney threatened again after another searching Beckham pass, then Owen bobbled a shot to Stiel from a great position.

Scholes and Owen made way for Owen Hargreaves and Darius Vassell as Eriksson attempted to shut up shop, and almost immediately it was 2-0.

Hargreaves launched a mighty clearance downfield, Vassell did excellently to win possession and find Rooney who blasted a shot against the near-post, the ball then bouncing off Stiel's back and into the goal.

Gerrard ended the contest when Gary Neville squared the ball and the Liverpool midfielder beat Stiel at the near-post from 10 yards.

2:19 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Rooney double guides nervy England to 3-0 win

By Trevor Huggins

COIMBRA, Portugal (Reuters) - Two-goal Wayne Rooney became the youngest scorer in European Championship finals history as England put their Euro 2004 campaign back on course with a 3-0 win over 10-man Switzerland.

The striker, 18 years and seven months old, headed home after 23 minutes and scored a second goal in the 75th minute of a nervous display by his team rounded off by a late Steve Gerrard strike.

Still bearing the scars of a 2-1 stoppage time defeat by France in their Group B opener on Sunday, England only settled in the closing stages after Swiss defender Bernt Haas was sent off.

Rooney's third international record after becoming England's youngest player and youngest scorer last year as a 17-year-old threw them a lifeline before their final group game against Croatia.

Faced with a match they could not afford to lose, England were a bag of nerves in the early stages, over-hitting passes forward for Michael Owen and conceding a flurry of free kicks and corners to a composed Swiss side.

Unable to build any rhythm, England's frustration showed after 19 minutes when Rooney followed through on grounded Swiss keeper Joerg Stiel.

The 18-year-old conceded a free kick two minutes later for a barge, showing all the signs of a player about to get a red card.

Instead, he made history when David Beckham picked out an unmarked Owen at the far post and the striker's chip across the goal gave Rooney an easy close-range header.

A disappointing Owen could have added a second before the break had he been able to connect properly with Ashley Cole's raking low ball across the face of the goal.

Switzerland kept plugging away at an England defence in which Sol Campbell was again imperious, this time partnered by John Terry on his return from a hamstring injury.

Though England got forward more easily after Haas's dismissal for a second booking on the hour, Owen failed to make the most of the opportunities and it needed Rooney's second and Gerrard's strike to finish the job.

2:15 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Thursday, June 17, 2004

Scholes fit for England

COIMBRA, Portugal, June 16 (Reuters) - England midfielder Paul Scholes has recovered from an ankle injury and is set to face Switzerland at Euro 2004 on Thursday, coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said on Wednesday.

'I'm almost sure 100 percent that he will be fit for tomorrow,' Eriksson told a news conference before the Group B game.

'He did everything today, even shooting at the end, so he seems okay.'

Scholes picked up the injury during England's 2-1 defeat by holders France in their opening match, and his return gives Eriksson's men a major boost in Coimbra.

Though he has not scored for England for three years, the midfielder's passing and vision are key to England's attacking strategy.

'Paul Scholes has always been important for us,' Eriksson said. 'He's been criticised for not scoring goals for a long time but he makes things happen around him.

'He makes the all midfield play with his one-touch, two-touch, long passes, short passes and switching the play.

'He's a big player.'

Scholes should return to England's problem left midfield slot, a necessary sacrifice to allow goal-getting Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard to play in the centre.

Skipper David Beckham will complete the quartet on the right.

England head into the game in desperate need of a win to get their campaign back on track before their final match against Croatia, who drew 0-0 with the Swiss in their opener.

10:20 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Eriksson's timely reminder

Sven-Goran Eriksson has warned several of England's stars that Euro 2004 could represent their last chance of glory on a major international stage.

But he is confident they will avoid the pitfalls of complacency against underdogs Switzerland on Thursday after their superb display against France despite a 2-1 setback.

Eriksson hinted that the sands of time may start to soon run out on some members of his squad which is now close to hitting its peak.

In two years time at the 2006 World Cup David James will be 35, Sol Campbell 31, David Beckham 31, Nicky Butt 31, Paul Scholes 31 and Gary Neville 30.

Eriksson said: 'I think we will win tomorrow because they are very professional in the job they are doing and that they know this is a golden opportunity to have a very good tournament.

'They know that if we don't do very well this time, then they will have to wait two years - and some of them might not be there in two years.

'Many of them will be here next time for the 2006 World Cup - but two years is a very long time in football.'

Eriksson admitted his side are champing at the bit to make amends for the heartbreak suffered against France.

He said: 'I am quite sure they are looking forward to the game tomorrow. They have been waiting too many days to go out once again and show we are a good team.

'I hope it is the worst time for the opposition to play England. We are going to produce a good performance. I am sure of that.

'I think they have to prove that we want six points and that we want to play in the quarter-finals first of all. The desire amongst the squad is enormous to achieve that.'

But Eriksson warned: 'If you think you can only attack with everything you have against Switzerland than it is a big mistake.

'You have to be organised and concentrated, show discipline as against France. Gambling in football is not very good.'

Eriksson's faith in Michael Owen is unwavered despite the player looking below his best against France and being substituted mid-way through the second period.

He said: 'I have faith in Michael Owen and I'm quite sure he will play even better tomorrow than he did on Sunday.

'He is working very hard. He looks happy and sharp and I'm confident about him. I hope he has many goals left in him. The tournament is long.

'I took him off with 20 minutes to go. My job is to try and see 'can I do something better' when sitting on the bench. At that time I thought it was right for a change.

'We will have a chat before the game aand the gist of that will be me showing my faith in him - and he knows that.'

Paul Scholes has recovered from an ankle problem which is a relief to Eriksson given that he feels there is no-one of a similar ilk who could step into his role.

Eriksson said: 'Is Scholes irreplacable? Yes and No. We don't have another Paul Scholes with the same characteristics. It would be impossible to find if he can't play.

'He will play tomorrow but if he couldn't play we will have to find another player but not exactly the same as Paul Scholes because there is no-one.'

10:19 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Wednesday, June 16, 2004

POSH: I'LL STAY HERE FOR BECKS

From Jeremy Armstrong In Portugal

POSH Spice is staying on in Portugal to give husband David Beckham a lift in his hour of need.

She has promised to see Euro 2004 through as long as England are in the competition.

Her parents Jackie and Tony had to return home yesterday but Victoria, 30, and sons Brooklyn, five, and one-year-old Romeo will be there to see England play Switzerland tomorrow.

It had been feared that recording commitments would keep her away and she would only fly to Lisbon if England made the final.

But her spokeswoman said: "Her plan is now to stay on at the tournament to support David and the team. She is going to go to as many of the matches as she can.

"The boys are really enjoying themselves. She would only come back if the children needed to come back for some reason."

Sven Goran Eriksson gave the players yesterday afternoon off after training to be with their partners. And the players headed off to the wives' hotel for fun.

Becks has being going around the Penha Longa hotel near Estoril rallying his players.

He said: "We were all down as a team but it's my responsibility to walk round the hotel with a big smile on my face and not worry about the last game."

6:00 PM
t.r.a.c.y

PENALTIES? OF COURSE I'LL TAKE NEXT ONE

By Oliver Holt, Chief Sports Writer

WHEN Sven Goran Eriksson found David Beckham sitting in the dressing room after losing to France, the England captain was by himself but not quite alone.

He had a shirt for company, the prized shirt of Zinedine Zidane, and sat there clutching it. Yesterday, he told us he was going to frame it and hang it on a wall at home.

Some expressed surprise he would want a constant reminder of the night Zidane destroyed an England dream.

SPARKLER: Captain David Beckham has not suffered any crisis of confidence after the defeat by France

But Beckham strongly disagreed. Sometimes, something jolts him out of his polite monotone and this was such a thing. He said he had no intention of banishing disappointment from his memories.

The story of his life was, he said, about overcoming adversity. He is right. It is the story of a man skilled in the art of recovery. Even resurrection. He might think that a better word.

In his life cycle of boom and bust and hero and villain, Beckham fell back towards the murky depths when his missed penalty in the Stadium of light cost victory on Sunday.

But he's been down there before. Way deeper, in fact. And his determination to recover and to prosper has always brought him back to the surface, ready to scale the heights.

So the missed penalty appeared to have dented his confidence not a jot.

"I'll take the next penalty England get," Beckham said. "And if I miss that, then I will step up and take the next one, too. That's the way I am.

"If I missed the next four or five penalties, I would want to step up and take the next one.

"Even if someone like Frank Lampard came up and said he wanted the next one, I would still want it. If I missed four, I might not get a choice, but my mentality is to carry on until I win.

"Whenever I've missed one for Manchester United or England, I always said I'll carry on. I'm confident enough to overcome anything and I will carry on.

"There's pressure taking penalties for any player in whatever league, whether it's on Hackney Marshes or the World Cup Final."

Whatever you think of his craven publicity-seeking and rampant egocentricity, Beckham remains a man furious to succeed, a man who believes his will can move mountains.

Look at how he turned a red card at a World Cup into solid gold. Look at how he bends, shapes and controls public opinion. Look at how he needs to be seen as the top man.

This England team will need the bloody-mindedness that is Beckham's greatest asset more than ever against Switzerland in Coimbra tomorrow evening. The captain is aware of that.

"Everyone knows there are things in my life and career that I've got over," Beckham said. "I will carry on doing that. Nothing will defeat me.

"I think that's one great thing about being English. People get knocked down and when they respond in the right way, English people like and respect it.

"If this team can do that, then it will be loved even more than it is at the moment. If we can do that in the right way by winning on Thursday, that will be good for us in the future.

"It's been the same with me for the last 10 years. I've either been right up high or way down low. I prefer it to be up there, but don't think I'm right down low at the moment.

"A penalty is a penalty. I held my hands up on the day. If I had scored it, things might have been different. We'll never know. The most important thing for me and the team is we move on from this defeat.

"That's why I've got no problem having Zidane's shirt on my wall. When I look at it, I will have great memories of a great player. Sometimes it is good to have disappointing memories so you can look forward to the better ones ahead of you." If there are some aspects of Beckham's personality that have started to grate on his team-mates, there is no question about his commitment to the cause on the pitch.

He needs to shake himself out of the poor form that has dogged him for six months but he has never been afraid to put himself in the front line.

There is a worry his glory-seeking has started to compromise his team-ethic but when the stakes are at their highest, as they will be against Switzerland, Beckham usually comes to the fore.

"The anger we all feel about what happened in those final minutes on Sunday night is a good part of the team now," Beckham said.

"The English mentality has always been about wearing your heart on your shirt and that hasn't changed.

"But Mr Eriksson brings a calmness to everything that we will still have on Thursday."

Beckham's previous attempt for Zidane's shirt failed when Dennis Wise flattened the Frenchman at Stade de France.

"I don't think he wanted to swap after that," Beckham said.

At least he now has it. One swap achieved, another one still to go: defeat for victory.

5:45 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Becks: We'll go straight for Swiss

David Beckham has expressed his sadness for England colleague Nicky Butt and warned the team will go straight for Switzerland's throats on Thursday.

Butt has suffered medial knee ligament damage and is to miss the remainder of the tournament while there are also concerns over his Manchester United team-mate Paul Scholes's fitness.

Ahead of the Coimbra clash, the England captain claims Sven Goran Eriksson's side want to take out their frustrations on the Swiss after the spectacular late collapse against France at the weekend.

"There's players with blisters," Beckham said after sitting out of training with the problem himself.

"Three of us decided to sit out of training today. Some are quite sore. A couple of players are worse than others.

"The best thing was to go in the gym, do some stretching and have a massage.

"It's upsetting for Nicky, obviously with the way Scholesy is looking as well. Having a player like Butt in the team or squad is very important and it's really sad for Nicky.

"My mood is a lot better than it was after the game. We were all down, some were more disappointed than others, but, as captain, it's my responsibility to not worry about what's happening. I can assure you all the players are in a good mood now."

Beckham stresses Switzerland could feel the backlash from the France defeat, although he is refusing to under-estimate Kobi Kuhn's charges.

"We're not taking any team we come up against lightly," he continued. "We know they are tough games and we need to win them.

"From the word 'go', we're going to try and hit the Swiss as hard as we can. We still feel the frustration from the other night, from our team and, with them drawing, they will be looking to come forward.

"We're definitely going to look forward to this game, as soon as the whistle goes, we want to attack them.

"We're not taking any team lightly, we're going into it thinking we're playing the French again. That's how we're going to prepare for this game."

The Real Madrid icon also confirmed he will remain his country's penalty-taker despite seeing Fabien Barthez save his spot-kick on Sunday.

"There's always pressure taking penalties," he stressed. "Every footballer knows that. Every Sunday League player even on Hackney Marshes.

"Of course everyone feels pressure but I'll put myself up again and take another if so be."

When asked if he was concerned that Switzerland knocked Republic of Ireland out of the qualifying stages, the midfielder gave a straightforward answer.

"Ireland are a tough team to play against," he stated. "They've got a lot of passion about them.

"Maybe it was a surprise, but there are surprises throughout the football world these days."

England fans will be hoping they are not on the wrong end of another one of them this week.

2:40 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Beckham warns Swiss of upcoming storm

By Trevor Huggins

LISBON (Reuters) - Captain David Beckham says England will be pounding Switzerland right from kickoff in Thursday's Euro 2004 clash as they vent their frustration following the agonising defeat by France.

England's 2-1 injury-time loss to the European champions on Sunday has left them in desperate need of three points as they try to qualify from Group B.

"From the word go, we're going to try and hit them as hard as we can," Beckham told a news conference on Tuesday.

"Obviously, there will still be frustration from the other night for our team and with them drawing (0-0 with Croatia), they'll be looking to come forward.

"We are definitely looking forward to playing this game... and to attacking them as soon as the whistle goes."

Beckham said England would treat the Swiss as if they were European champions in Coimbra, aware that defeat would make it very difficult for them to progress in the tournament.

"We're going into this game thinking we're playing the French again," said the midfielder.

"We're not taking lightly any team we come up against. We know every game in our group now is a tough one and we have to win.

"If we don't perform and don't get the result we need we're out of the competition."

England enjoyed huge support in Sunday's game at the Estadio da Luz and Beckham knows that millions back home are counting on his side to show their fighting spirit.

"That's what's good about being English, because the English mentality is to come back straight away and want to prove people wrong," he said.

"If you can do that you're loved in the country. It's what people like to see -- teams bouncing back from things and that's what we're aiming to do on Thursday."

Beckham accepted his role as captain was to rally the troops after Sunday's heartbreak and he insisted that team morale was back to normal.

"As a captain it's my job now to walk around the hotel with a big smile on my face and not worry about what's happened in the last game," he said.

"Players need to feel lifted...and I can assure that all the players now are in good moods."

2:39 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Butt ruled out by knee injury

England midfielder Nicky Butt's participation in Euro 2004 looks to be over after a scan revealed medial ligament damage to his right knee.

The Manchester United star suffered the setback in training yesterday and a visit to the specialist confirmed coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's worst fears.

A Football Association spokesman admitted that such an injury is likely to keep a player on the sidelines for up to a month although no formal decision has yet been made as to when Butt will return home.

It is a second midfield setback for Eriksson as Paul Scholes is rated only 50/50 to be fit for Thursday's game with Switzerland because of an ankle problem.

The FA have contacted UEFA about the possibility of a replacement for Butt but were told that can only happen in 'exceptional circumstances''.

FA spokesman Colin Gibson said: 'Nicky Butt has got medial ligament damage which is normally a three to four-week injury and it is unlikely he will play any further part in the tournament.

'At the moment no decision has been made on whether he will return to England. He obviously wants to stay with the squad as long as possible.

'We have contacted UEFA about the situation of replacing a player.

'But the guidelines say that can only happen in exceptional circumstances after the first match of the tournament.

'We will be holding discussions later in the day regarding the possibility of any formal decision over Nicky's future with the squad.''

Less than a month ago, Butt looked be a certainty for a place in Eriksson's starting line-up at Euro 2004 as the holding midfield player.

But he has been overtaken in the pecking order by Frank Lampard who justified his selection with a splendid goal in Sunday's opening game with France.

If Scholes and Butt cannot play on Thursday, Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves is the leading candidate to step into the side although Kieron Dyer would also be in contention.

8:26 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Zizou's a real pal

From NEIL CUSTIS in Porto

ZINEDINE ZIDANE tried to console pal David Beckham after France's dramatic win.
The Real Madrid team-mates swapped shirts and embraced at the end of the match.

And France captain Zidane admitted it was a difficult moment having struck the two injury-time goals which crushed Becks after his own penalty was saved.

Zizou, 31, said: "At the final whistle I went over to David and put my arm round him.

"I could see he was upset. I had a word and commiserated with him but I could say no more, I was lost for words.

"What can you say in a situation like that. Sometimes when something as dramatic as that has happened you just have to leave people alone."

Fabien Barthez kept out Beckham's second-half penalty before Zidane scored an injury time free-kick and then a penalty.

Zidane added: "If England had gone 2-0 up it would have been very difficult for us to come back into the game and the tournament.

"As soon as the free-kick was awarded I knew it was my moment. I knew how big a moment it was but I prepare myself for such moments.

"It was hard on England but, in a sense, such dramas make this game so beautiful.

"All the players said afterwards that England had caused us problems."

4:05 PM
t.r.a.c.y

We still believe - Lampard

Frank Lampard has insisted England's belief they can beat France when it really matters has not been knocked - even though the next time they could meet in Euro 2004 would be in the final.

Frank Lampard has insisted England's belief they can beat France when it really matters has not been knocked - even though the next time they could meet in Euro 2004 would be in the final.

Lampard was as shell-shocked as everyone else in the England camp after Zinedine Zidane's last gasp double doomed them to a 2-1 reversal in Sunday's group encounter in Lisbon. But once the initial disappointment had dissipated the Chelsea midfielder quickly reverted to adopting an upbeat approach in surveying events in the Estadio da Luz.

Lampard believes England's performance for 89 minutes means they can approach any possible re-match against Zidane and Co without trepidation. Lampard said: "We will use the experience of Sunday to a) get us through to the next stage and b) to go all the way in the competition."

"If we meet France again in this competition, we have to be confident. We were confident before Sunday. We showed them how we can play. We showed a lot of people how we can play. Of course it will be hard initially to pick ourselves up and I should imagine that not many people would have slept very well on Sunday night.

"It is hurting because a win would have given us great confidence and would have put us well on the way to the next stage. We have to dig deep and show a lot of character. We have to be strong and come back from it.

"But the way we performed for large parts of the game against the best side in the world for the last four years is a big positive. We need to use that in our favour.

"We defended well from back to front and gave them few chances, held our own in midfield - and we should do with the players we've got - while we looked dangerous at times when we broke."

1:52 AM
t.r.a.c.y

I owe England - Gerrard

Steven Gerrard has vowed to make amends for his crucial blunder against France in Sunday's Euro 2004 clash - and the England midfielder and his team-mates want revenge in the final.

Steven Gerrard has vowed to make amends for his crucial blunder against France in Sunday's Euro 2004 clash - and the England midfielder and his team-mates want revenge in the final.

Gerrard was devastated after his under-hit injury-time back-pass forced David James to concede the penalty which Zinedine Zidane converted to earn France a 2-1 victory. Gerrard has held his hands up and said sorry for his error which makes it paramount that England defeat Switzerland in Coimbra on Thursday, but there is a steely determination about the Liverpool star to have the last laugh in the final on July 4.

Gerrard said: "I am so disappointed over the back-pass. I hadn't seen Thierry Henry. It was a silly error by me. It really hurts because we deserved the victory and had the game wrapped up but we gave away a silly free-kick for the equaliser and then I did what I did. Two individual errors have been punished."

"It makes our game against Switzerland even bigger now because we need to get three points on the board ourselves and make sure we reach the quarter-finals. We heard the French players shouting and singing after the game but they didn't win the tournament on Sunday.

"We can make massive positives from what happened on Sunday and hopefully we'll meet France again in the final and get revenge. I'll make up for that error. It is also better that we have those kind of mistakes now than later. Hopefully that is all of our bad luck out of the way for the competition in those couple of minutes."

Gerrard added: "It has to be remembered that we came so close to beating the best side in the competition. We've been the better side against the best side in the world and we can take great confidence from that and how we performed against them.

"You can't get more positive than that. It was going perfect for us until the last couple of minutes. It was going really as we had planned. The French had a lot of the ball around the half-way line but they just weren't hurting us. We restricted them to long shots from the edge of the box and that was what we wanted to do.

"It's gone down and we can't afford to be down. It is a clean slate now. We need to go for the Swiss on Thursday and then Croatia next Monday and make sure we are in the last eight. We'll bounce back from Sunday."

1:44 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Neville not bothered by France loss

Gary Neville was the 'least bothered I've ever been after a defeat' as he insisted England could recover from their two late 'sucker-punches' at the hands of France.

Neville played down comparisons of France's late two-goal comeback in Lisbon to the way in which his Manchester United side clawed their way back to Champions League success in 1999.

For while that was a knockout blow to Bayern Munich this, he stressed, was simply the first of three group games and there is still time for England to haul themselves back off the canvas.

Neville therefore called on the England squad to lick their wounds before coming out fighting against Switzerland on Thursday.

He declared: 'We're not dead yet. This is probably the least bothered I've been after a defeat.

'Obviously, losing is a disappointment but we played against the best team in the competition and did well.

'That wasn't a painful experience as we play again on Thursday. It would have painful if this had been in the quarter-final, semi-final or final.

'We've taken a bit of a bash but that's football and, to be honest, I don't think we'll have much of a problem picking ourselves up from this.

'It's not as if we've been ravaged 4-0 or 5-0 and they've opened us up left, right and centre. We did a lot of very good things out there.

'I've played for a club for the past 10 years that has a habit of doing that to teams. They never give in and neither will France, just like England.

'But we're better off having one of those nights tonight, rather than in three weeks' time in the final - and we still hope to be in the latter stages of the competition.

'Does it remind me of 1999? Not really. If it was the final, then maybe it would have done, but we live to fight another day.'

As one of the more experienced members of the squad, Neville, 29, will play a vital role over the next few days in reviving morale, especially among his younger team-mates.

Indeed, he made a point of ensuring heads did not drop too far immediately after the final whistle had sounded on a night of deep frustration in Lisbon.

'Football kicks you in the teeth sometimes as we lost a match that we had played very well in for 90 minutes,' he observed.

'We were two minutes off winning and people would then have said that we could have won this tournament. That would have been silly as well.

'In the last 15 minutes, we had controlled the match, showed elements of resilience throughout and defended well. They weren't opening us up.

'Things were going to plan and then Zinedine Zidane produced a moment of magic before scoring a penalty. Sometimes you can't explain things which happen in football and that was one of them.'

Neville has no concerns that David Beckham, who had a penalty saved, or Steven Gerrard, whose short back-pass led to France winning their late spot-kick, will put their frustrations behind them.

'I feel a little bit for Stevie but he will be prove to be one of the best players that England have had, so I'm not concerned about him in that respect,' he added.

'We will pick ourselves up and so will he. We've taken a punch on the chin and been pushed back onto the ropes but we live to fight another day.'

1:32 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Owen: 'Don't blame Becks and Gerro'

Michael Owen has insisted David Beckham and Steven Gerrard should not shoulder the blame for the heart-breaking Euro 2004 defeat by France and believes the pair will be key factors in reviving England's fortunes in the tournament.

Beckham could have put England 2-0 ahead but saw his second-half penalty saved by his former Manchester United team-mate Fabien Barthez.

Then Gerrard's mis-hit back pass forced goalkeeper David James to bring down Thierry Henry before Zinedine Zidane converted the injury-time penalty winner for the French.

But Owen leapt to the defence of the duo as England look to start to repair the damage in Thursday's clash with Switzerland in Coimbra.

He said: 'You can say things to David and Steven - but they don't totally comfort you. It is something they have to deal with.

'I had to deal with it through last season at Liverpool. I missed penalties and was at fault in certain things.

'It's just part and parcel of being in a team and you always feel like you have let the team down.

'But David and Steven haven't done that. If we are going to do anything in this tournament Steven and David are the players we are looking at to help us progress.

'I see Steven every day and he is a strong character and David has had worst setbacks than that in his career.'

Beckham had also missed his previous England penalty against Turkey in last October's vital Euro qualifier in Istanbul.

But Owen, whose record from 12 yards for Liverpool is less than trustworthy, is not looking to take over the spot-kick duties if the Real Madrid star wants to continue the role.

He said: 'To be fair to Becks, (Fabien) Barthez pulled off a great save from the penalty. I don't think it was a bad penalty.

'These days keepers move so early. Every rule gets changed and they are loaded in the keepers' favour. Will David be penalty-taker now? Yes, if he wants it.'

Owen admitted: 'It's probably the cruellest game I've played in. I can only think of the Manchester United-Bayern Munich European Cup final being similar to that and I was not involved.

'I've never seen anything like it and have never felt so harshly done by at the end of a football match.

'We deserved at least a point but we can't be down for too long. We've not got to feel sorry for ourselves.

'The positive side is that over 90 minutes, we've played the favourites and defending champions and been better than them.

'The frustration is that we've lost but that's football. If we'd played badly and lost then we would have had problems.

'We can't feel sorry for ourselves or blame luck. You need luck to win a tournament and we didn't have it against France but let's hope it evens itself out later in the tournament.

'Everyone can look at each other in the eye and be proud - we gave them a great game.

'There are plenty of players we were proud of - Wayne Rooney, Ledley King - two players who have never played in a tournament before were great.

'Rooney played really well. Everyone expected that because he's a fantastic player. He and Ledley were two of our better players.'

1:31 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Scholes injury adds to England's woes

LISBON, June 14 (Reuters) - England midfielder Paul Scholes is doubtful for Thursday's Euro 2004 Group B match against Switzerland because of a twisted ankle, coach Sven-Goran Eriksson told a news conference on Monday.

'Paul Scholes is a doubt. He won't train today or tomorrow,' Eriksson said. 'We will see on Wednesday if he can play or not. 'Gary Neville has a slight problem but will train today and there are no other problems.'

Eriksson struck a positive tone following Sunday's gut-wrenching 2-1 defeat by France.

'I think we played a fantastic game if you take away the last three minutes,' he said. 'If I could do it again I would do it the same way.

'It's difficult to understand how we lost that game because the game was ours but these things happen.

'If we perform as we did yesterday I think we will go through and have a very good tournament.'

1:29 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Eriksson dwells on the positives

LISBON, June 14 (Reuters) - Sven-Goran Eriksson refused to be downhearted after England's last-gasp 2-1 Euro 2004 defeat by France on Sunday and said the team had played well enough to convince him they can win the tournament.

'I think we played a fantastic game if you take away the last three minutes,' the Swedish coach told a news conference on Monday.

'The players did exactly what we asked them to do, what we had talked about.

'Considering it was France and we gave them very few possibilities in 90 minutes...if I were to do it again I would have done it the same way.'

England looked on course for a morale-boosting start to their Group B campaign when they led through Frank Lampard's 38th-minute header until the 90th minute.

But they imploded spectacularly as Zinedine Zidane lashed in an free kick after a needless foul by Emile Heskey. France then won the game with a Zidane penalty after a woeful Steven Gerrard backpass combined with a rush of blood by goalkeeper David James to leave Thierry Henry sprawling on the turf.

'Of course it's difficult to understand how we lost that game because it was ours,' Eriksson said.

'France ran out of ideas totally, that was the feeling I had, though not in the last three minutes obviously.

'We could have gone 2-0 with the penalty, we didn't do it. Why? Maybe it was fate. I don't want to be negative at all about the performance. We made some mistakes that cost us three points, it happens but it won't happen again.'

The manager said he would not be dwelling on the calamitous finale to an entertaining match and certainly would not be pointing the finger at individuals.

'We will have a meeting today, I will talk about yesterday's game for about two minutes and the future for more than two minutes.

'What do you say to Gerrard, 'don't pass back,'? What do you say to David Beckham? 'Put the penalty in the other corner.'

'If it was a tactical problem then okay but what happened yesterday, as a manager you don't talk about it.'

Eriksson said the game reminded him of Manchester United's similar late turnaround to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the 1999 Champions League final and of France's 2-1 comeback success in the Euro 2000 final.

The big difference, however, was that those games were finals and on this occasion England live to fight another day.

Asked if he still felt England could win the Championship he said: 'Yes. If we perform as we did yesterday I think we will go through and have a very good tournament.

'I think everyone who saw the game will have a lot of respect for England even though we lost.'

England return to action against Switzerland in Coimbra on Thursday and their only major injury worry is Paul Scholes.

The midfielder, who was replaced by Owen Hargreaves late in Sunday's game, has a twisted ankle and will undergo a fitness test on Wednesday.

1:28 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Monday, June 14, 2004

some pictures from the match: france vs england...

5:11 PM
t.r.a.c.y

POSH LEADS WAY AS GIRLS HIT TOWN

From Clare Goldwin With The Wags In Lisbon

RAISING a glass of sangria in the air, Victoria Beckham toasts her fellow England wives.

"Let's start as we mean to go on," she announces with a laugh.

Minutes earlier the exclusive club that is the Wags - the wives and girlfriends of the England squad - had been happily drinking Pimms. But the arrival of Posh Spice changed all that.

It's clear that here in Portugal Victoria is very much in charge.

After downing the traditional Spanish drink, she leads her band from the hotel into the warm Lisbon night for dinner.

Her performance on the eve of England's opening match against France was clearly aimed at quashing rumours she is too aloof to mix with the rest of the Wags.

She had booked into a private villa for the tournament but realising her mistake, her staff begged the manager of the Wags' base, the £350-a-night Penha Longa Hotel and Golf resort, for a room.

There were claims Sven Goran Eriksson's partner Nancy Dell'Olio had been sent to smooth over any bitchiness. But Victoria's performance on Saturday night made it clear she needed no help in launching her own charm offensive.

And, that while on the pitch her husband David is captain, off it, she's clearly the boss of this particular squad.

Earlier in the day Victoria is conspicuous by her absence. In the searing 32 degree heat, the other Wags loll by the pool of the five star hotel, 20 miles outside the Portuguese capital.

On one side Steven Gerrard's fiancee Alex Curran, 21, shows off her svelte post-pregnancy figure in a sequinned bikini as she and her mum look after four-month-old baby Lily under a large sun umbrella.

On the other side, more wives form an alternative line up as they bask on a row of sun loungers in their kit of designer swimwear and summery kaftan cover ups.

Training for them the day before the big game involves nothing more strenuous than rubbing sun lotion on to already bronzed limbs and sipping mineral water.

They don't talk about football but when they are likely to see their husbands next.

Sol Campbell's girlfriend, millionaire interior designer Kelly Hoppen, 44, performs the role of vice-captain in Victoria's absence.

Kelly, who has just discovered Sol, 29, is the dad of ex-girlfriend Janet Tyler's baby boy, is group organiser.

She arranges the night out, helped by Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard's girlfriend, bubbly Spaniard Elen Rives, the social secretary.

When Kelly is unable to book a table large enough at the restaurant of her choice Elen, 27, steps in to translate.

"Tell them we're players' wives," someone suggests. Not surprisingly within a few minutes the problem has been resolved. Next to Elen sits fellow Chelsea wife Toni Poole, 23, the partner of defender John Terry. She looks relaxed and happy, despite recent allegations two women had flings with her live-in lover.

Also there is Wags newcomer, Colleen McLoughlin, 18.

But Colleen, like fiance Everton prodigy Wayne Rooney, has learnt quickly and blends in wearing a blue, green and white designer bikini.

She has a quick swim and Emile Heskey's partner Kylee Pincent dips her toes in the children's pool where her two sons are playing.

Despite the oppressive heat, the other Wags choose not to risk wetting their hair or smudging their make up.

But David Beckham's mum Sandra takes grandsons Brooklyn and Romeo for a swim.

A popular figure, Sandra spends the rest of the afternoon mingling. By 4.30pm all the Wags have left the pool to get ready for the evening.

By 7.30pm the women are quietly congregating in the hotel lobby bar for a pre-dinner drink. Then at 8.15pm Posh sweeps down and it is obvious the real queen has arrived.

Teetering on vertiginous heels and wearing a black Dolce & Gabbana backless dress formed of little more than three scraps of material her tiny wrist is weighed down by a diamond encrusted watch and she clutches a Chanel handbag.

Smoking cigarillos, recent allegations David had an affair with personal assistant Rebecca Loos, seem a million miles away.

It is clear she is determined to party.

There is Dom Perignon champagne but, influenced by her time in Spain, Posh insists on ordering jugs of sangria for everyone.

By 8.30pm the group are on their way in an unglamorous white minibus to Kais, a restaurant in the trendy docks area of Lisbon.

Here Posh holds court at the centre of the table with Kelly by her side.

Afterwards, back at the hotel, which the Wags are sharing with the Czech Republic team, the party sit up for more drinks.

Posh is one of the last to leave for bed at about 1.30am but is up for breakfast with the children at 9.30am.

She walked in wearing a skimpy turquoise bikini top printed with flowers, micro shorts and high heels.

Breakfast over, Victoria and the other wives including Louise Bonsall, partner of Michael Owen and Claire Scholes, wife of England stalwart Paul, head for the pool.

By 2pm the Wags have deserted the heat to get ready for the match nearly six hours later. Hair has to be done and make-up applied and the evening's outfit has to be just right.

But there can be only one winner in this particular game - Victoria.

4:15 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Becks: We'll bounce back

By WILL BARKER

LION-hearted England captain David Beckham rallied the nation last night by saying: We'll bounce back!

The skipper admitted being hugely disappointed after the shock 2-1 injury time defeat by France.

But he vowed to lift the team's spirits for the next match against Switzerland - and make sure victory is OURS.

The Real Madrid star, who missed a penalty which would have given England a 2-0 lead, said: "I'll move on. We'll lift ourselves for Switzerland. We just have to lift ourselves.

"We can take a lot from the 90 minutes that we've played. We played a great game tonight.

"It doesn't help when you lose the game at the end. I do not think we deserved that. We deserved to win.

"We can take a lot from that game - to play against one of the best teams in the world and outplay them for 90 minutes. We had a lot of young lads out there who played as if they had been around for a long time."

Real-ly sad ... Becks and Real Madrid team-mate Zidane hug at end
Picture: REUTERS

Referring to his spot-kick, in which French keeper Fabien Barthez dived the right way and saved, he added: "I've held my hands up.

"I don't think I could have struck it any better but the goalkeeper read it.

"We could have gone 2-0 up and the game would have probably been over, but that's football."

England boss Sven Goran Eriksson was also in defiant mood, saying his lads played well enough to beat Switzerland and the other team in the group, Croatia.

He said: "If we can carry on playing like this I am sure we can reach the quarter-finals.

"It was bad luck. Hopefully we can meet the French again on July 4 in the final and not have as much bad luck as we did tonight."

Steven Gerrard, whose backpass forced David James to bring down Thierry Henry, said: "Individual errors have been punished by the best team in the world.

"I'm very disappointed but I just didn't see Henry when I played the ball. I'll make up for that error and we will bounce back against the Swiss on Thursday."

Bawl boy ... Romeo Beckham sobs his heart out as he sits on Victoria's lap

Beckham's sons Romeo and Brooklyn, who both watched the game with mum Victoria at the Lisbon stadium, were in TEARS during the game.

Romeo, 21 months, could not be consoled by his mum and five-year-old Brooklyn's wails were made worse when he stood on his seat for a better view, slipped off and banged his leg.

Both lads sported England shirts and Victoria wore one emblazoned with the words: "Let's hear it for the boys."

As the game ended Posh spun on her heel and walked from her VIP seat close to tears herself.

Her parents Tony and Jackie - and Becks' mum Sandra and sister Joanne - were also there in the England family section.

Moments before the French equalised, the boys had been excitedly cheering their daddy on to win.

An onlooker said: "They gasped when Becks missed his penalty but were still cheering the team on. Like everyone else they believed we'd done enough to win.

"Posh's face just fell when Zidane got the winner."

Earlier Victoria had patched up her rift with the other England wives by hosting a giggly get-together at a swish Lisbon restaurant.

The meal came after an embarrassing mix-up when Victoria turned down a room at the wives' five-star hotel.

3:57 PM
t.r.a.c.y

England 1 France 2

By SHAUN CUSTIS

FORGET the pain of those penalty shootout defeats at Italia 90 and Euro 96.
When you are talking about sheer bloody agony on a football field, nothing - but nothing - compares to this.

England, thanks to Frank Lampard's 38th-minute header, had this won. Job done.

The country was about to herald a magical night and a magnificent victory that had set us on the road to lifting the Euro 2004 trophy.

To a man, England had given their all - these were our own Lisbon Lions. Heroes all over the place.

David Beckham's penalty had been saved by Fabien Barthez but it was not going to matter. The French cockerel had been rendered mute.

Then came two minutes of injury-time madness and, suddenly, we were plunged into a nightmare.

Emile Heskey, on as a sub for Wayne Rooney - who ran France ragged, fouled Claude Makelele 25 yards out and the reigning champions sensed a glimmer of a chance.

Up stepped Zinedine Zidane and, with one swish of his boot, he curled the ball over the wall and into the far corner.

The French went nuts, they had apparently pulled a draw out of the fire.

It was a shame for England but it was not a disaster. Sven Goran Eriksson's men had done him proud. A point-apiece was OK.

But, with referee Markus Merk examining his watch and the three minutes of added time ticking away fast, Steven Gerrard made a fateful decision.

The Liverpool midfielder hooked a bouncing ball back towards David James and instantly knew it was a dreadful error.

The ball was a yard short of the keeper and, worse still, Thierry Henry was on the end of it.

This was the opening he had waited for all night.

The Arsenal striker got there a split-second before the Manchester City keeper and it was obvious what was coming.

James could not stop and Henry went flying. Penalty, said Merk - and Zidane smacked it into the bottom corner.

Gerrard was a broken man. The player praised as potentially the world's greatest midfielder, who had done as much as anyone to get England the win, was the villain.

England only had time to kick-off again before the ref blew the final whistle.

Les Bleus could not contain themselves. Even they did not know how they had done it.

Eriksson's men stood in the centre-circle absolutely stunned before, inevitably, the tears flowed.

This was the cruellest finish of all and Manchester United fans now know how Bayern Munich felt in Barcelona back in 1999.

The Germans seemingly had the European Cup won before Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer struck in injury-time.

But in the final analysis England had once again thrown away a lead and lost. Just as they did against Portugal and Romania at Euro 2000 and Brazil in the 2002 World Cup quarter-final.

How many more times can this happen? Are England destined for an eternity of anguish?

Lampard's goal seemed a lifetime ago.

After an early struggle when France dominated the first 30 minutes and Sol Campbell and Ledley King held them at bay, England took the lead.

Beckham's free-kick was, as usual, right on the money and Lampard arched his neck to power a header beyond Barthez from just six yards out.

England fans taunted the French, singing Are You Scotland in Disguise? All was going swimmingly.

Henry could not get in the game, Robert Pires had been stifled and Patrick Vieira and Gerrard were cancelling each other out.

Rooney, not a man who respects reputations, was causing mayhem, holding the ball up, bringing others into play and running at the French like a snorting rhino.

Though a disconsolate Michael Owen - who never really got going - was taken off, on came the fleet-footed Darius Vassell and England kept up the pressure.

After 72 minutes, Rooney streaked away from the halfway line leaving Lilian Thuram trailing in his wake and went for broke.

He surged into the box and Mikael Silvestre took him down.

It was a penalty and skipper Beckham grabbed the ball in determined fashion.

Up he stepped to make it 2-0 and put the French in their place but his one-time mate from Old Trafford, Barthez, sprang to his right to push it away.

It was Beckham's second successive penalty miss for England following the horror shot over the bar against Turkey in the final Euro 2004 qualifier. France had a lifeline.

The Gallic supporters, who were outnumbered by England fans four-to-one, sang Barthez's name loudly round the Stadium of Light and his team-mates took inspiration from the former United man's heroics.

He may be regarded as a bit of a clown in England but the French supporters love him.

Perhaps Rooney being substituted also gave France an extra spring in their step.

The Everton youngster still appeared to have plenty left in the tank and it may not have been one of boss Eriksson's better decisions to withdraw the 18-year-old Everton ace from the firing line.

It was his replacement - Heskey - who fouled Makelele and Zidane's free-kick went past James before he could move.

Then Gerrard's error resulted in the decisive spot-kick.

Gerrard could be haunted by his mistake for years but he must rise above it.

There are still two games to go and it is not over. Yes, this was a cruel setback - but it was no disgrace.

They have to dust themselves down, get back on to the training pitch and make sure there are no slip-ups in the other two Group B matches, against Switzerland and Croatia.

Unlike those penalty shootouts, England are still in the tournament.

SHOT OF THE MATCH

ZINEDINE ZIDANE'S 20-yard free-kick for France's equaliser in injury-time.

Zizou's shot cleared the wall and left David James flat-footed.

SAVE OF THE MATCH

FABIEN BARTHEZ'S super penalty save from Beckham made amends for the goal.

He threw himself to his right to push away the powerful spot-kick.

REF'S RATING

A GAME crying out for a strong ref and German Markus Merk was perfect man for the job.

Let players get stuck in but always in control of the match.

Mark (out of 10) 7

HEAD TO HEAD

OWEN v HENRY

NOT an evening either will look back on with personal satisfaction.

Footballer of the Year Henry spent most of the game in the pockets of King and Campbell.

He escaped their grips once - and that was enough to win the decisive penalty.

TACKLE OF THE MATCH

IT might be tough in Spain but Real Madrid ace Zinedine Zidane didn't know what had hit him when Steven Gerrard unleashed a midfield special just after the break.

3:52 PM
t.r.a.c.y

I'm to blame

From NEIL CUSTIS in Lisbon

DAVID BECKHAM was left in tears after England blew their Euro 2004 opener and declared: Blame me.

England's skipper missed a 71st-minute penalty that would have given his side a 2-0 lead.

Then Sven Goran Eriksson's men committed suicide as they gifted Zinedine Zidane TWO goals in injury-time.

Shattered Becks said: "I do not think we deserved that. We deserved to win.

"For 89 minutes we performed well and, maybe, if I had put the penalty away it would have finished them off. I can only hold my hands up for that and take the blame."

French defender Mikael Silvestre, who gave away the spot-kick by hauling down Wayne Rooney, admitted he should have been sent off by referee Markus Merk.

He revealed: "I thought it could have been a red card and when I looked up I was grateful that it was just a yellow.

"I was the last man but maybe the referees are showing leniency."

Beckham added: "We played some great football and couldn't have done much better. Now it's vital we pick ourselves up for Thursday's match with Switzerland."

England looked set to top Group B thanks to Frank Lampard's 38th-minute header.

But Emile Heskey conceded a crazy 91st-minute free-kick which Zidane rattled in from 25 yards.

Then Steven Gerrard's woeful backpass saw David James fell Thierry Henry to concede a penalty that Zidane smashed home.

It left England bottom of the group in the wake of Switzerland's 0-0 draw with Croatia.

Defiant England boss Eriksson said: "We played very good football and after 90 minutes we were all happy.

"Then a free-kick and a penalty destroyed the evening for us.

"Football is tough sometimes. It may be hard to lift the players right now, but I want us to keep our heads up and go on playing football as we did here.

"If we do, I am sure you will see England in the quarter-finals.

"I hope we can meet France again in the final on July 4. I cannot believe we will have the same bad luck as we did in this game."

Eriksson did not want to dwell on Beckham's missed penalty.

He insisted: "That happens in football. I think Barthez made a very good save."

But the Swede now feels England must win their next two games against Switzerland and Croatia to go through.

He stated "I believe we'll have to do that."

Gerrard was desperately disappointed by his backpass blunder.

He said: "I just didn't see Henry when I played the ball."

3:46 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Bartbreak for Becks

From NEIL CUSTIS

THIS is the moment David Beckham's world fell apart - and England's chance of a golden Euro 2004 start crashed.

The England skipper could have given his side a 2-0 lead if he had fired home a 71st-minute penalty awarded after Wayne Rooney was hauled down.

But French keeper Fabien Barthez guessed correctly, dived to his right and superbly pushed away Beckham's fiercely-struck effort.

England - leading through Frank Lampard - found themselves on the back foot after Becks' miss and gave away two cruel goals as the crunch Group B clash went into injury-time.

Now boss Sven Goran Eriksson, his team bottom of the group, must lift his troops for Thursday's showdown with the Swiss.

Beckham admitted: "I think we have to win the next two games to reach the quarter-finals."

3:46 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Rough n' tumble

KEEPER David James comes rushing out in a vain bid to collect a crazy Steven Gerrard backpass in the third minute of injury time last night.

But all the England man can do is flatten striker Thierry Henry - and concede the penalty which Zinedine Zidane converted to give France an undeserved 2-1 victory in Lisbon.

It all happened moments after Zidane had hauled the French back into the game with a free-kick. ZZ and Co had looked down and out thanks to Frank Lampard’s first-half header for England.

Liverpool midfielder Gerrard, 24, admitted: "Individual errors have been punished by the best team in the world.

"I'm very disappointed with my backpass but I just didn't see Henry when I played the ball.

"I'll make up for that error and we will bounce back against the Swiss in our next match on Thursday.

"I thought we played well for 90 minutes and deserved to win."

3:46 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Zidane's late double shatters England

By Trevor Huggins

LISBON (Reuters) - Zinedine Zidane fired two injury-time goals to give holders France a sensational 2-1 comeback victory over England and a winning start to their title defence at Euro 2004.

France were poised to suffer their first defeat in 16 months after Frank Lampard headed England into a 38th-minute lead, and captain David Beckham missed a 73rd-minute penalty that would have almost certainly have settled a pulsating Group B clash.

But England's nerve failed them in three minutes of injury time as Zidane showed why he has been World Player of the Year three times by arrowing home a stunning free kick and nervelessly converting a spot-kick with almost the last kick of the game.

"We've not deserved that, we definitely deserved to win that game. Maybe if I'd put the penalty away it would have finished the game off," Beckham said.

Captain Zidane praised the contribution of Barthez.

"Fabien made the difference and allowed us to stay 1-0 down and gave us the possibility to keep believing in our chances," Zidane said.

"The game was not going our way and in the end it's a very positive result. We suffered but we overturned the situation."

For France, victory will erase the nightmares of their botched World Cup defence two years ago, when they opened with a 1-0 defeat by Senegal and went on to a humiliating group phase exit.

France's victory in an intense and high quality match at the Estadio da Luz also made them runaway favourites to reach the quarter-finals before facing Switzerland and Croatia, who drew 0-0 in an ugly affair at Leiria, though England will also still fancy their chances of progressing.

For England, the manner of defeat will be devastating to Sven-Goran Eriksson's young side, who had been on the verge of the country's first winning start to a European Championship.

But two costly mistakes proved their downfall after substitute Emile Heskey conceded a free kick which Zidane crashed into the left-hand corner of David James's net.

A wayward pass then put a previously subdued Thierry Henry through and goalkeeper David James felled the France striker.

Zidane made no mistake with his clinical spot-kick to send France straight to the top of the group in a heart-thumping finale.

It was cruel on England, particularly Rooney and defender Ledley King, who marked Henry virtually out of the match until the dying seconds after being drafted into the side as a late replacement for the injured John Terry.

Lampard's goal was the first conceded by France in 1,077 minutes.

5:19 AM
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Eriksson choked by England loss

LISBON (Reuters) - England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was left stunned after a Zinedine Zidane double in added time condemned his side to a 2-1 defeat by France in their Euro 2004 opener.

"We were very unlucky," the Swede told ITV. "Tactically we played very well and we were in control.

"I thought they had run out of ideas in the last 10 minutes and they never got beyond our back line. I thought we had won. Then to not even get a draw is unbelievable."

England had led through Frank Lampard's header shortly before halftime and David Beckham missed a penalty before France stole the points.

"Now it's on to the next game (against Switzerland) and we've got to get over this quickly," added Eriksson.

5:19 AM
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Match-winner Zidane praises Barthez

PARIS, June 13 (Reuters) - France captain Zinedine Zidane, whose two goals sank England in their last-gasp 2-1 Euro 2004 victory on Sunday, paid tribute to goalkeeper Fabien Barthez who saved a David Beckham penalty in the second half.
'Fabien made the difference and allowed us to stay 1-0 down and gave us the possibility to keep believing in our chances.

'The game was not going our way and in the end it's a very positive result. We suffered but we overturned the situation. It's in those conditions that you build a team spirit.'

France coach Jacques Santini saw his team recover to steal victory with two Zidane goals in added time, the first from a free kick and the second from the penalty spot.

Santini said: 'More than everything we did tonight, more than the way we fought back, what I want to point out is that the squad is healthy and ambitious. They live well together, and if some had doubts, they gave the best reply on the pitch.

'The thousands of fans who were in a minority tonight kept supporting us. In high level football everything can change quickly, the ball rolled our way tonight.'

5:18 AM
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Beckham: We didn't deserve loss

LISBON, June 13 (Reuters) - England captain David Beckham said England did not deserve to lose after going down 2-1 to France at Euro 2004 on Sunday.
'We've not deserved that, we definitely deserved to win that game. Maybe if I'd put the penalty away it would have finished the game off.

'I hold my hands for that'.

France captain Zinedine Zidane scored twice in injury time after Beckham missed a second half penalty which would have put England 2-0 ahead.

5:17 AM
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France 2-1 England: FT Report

LISBON, June 12 (Reuters) - France captain Zinedine Zidane struck twice in injury-time to ambush England 2-1 in an extraordinary Euro 2004 showdown on Sunday.

England appeared to be holding on for a 1-0 victory before Zidane curled in a free kick in the first minute of added time and converted a penalty with almost the last kick of the game after David James brought down Thierry Henry.

France, who had not conceded a goal in nearly a year, dominated the first half before midfielder Frank Lampard headed a 38th-minute David Beckham free kick past goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.

Beckham, the England captain, should have put the result beyond doubt in the 73rd minute after teenage striker Wayne Rooney won a penalty but Barthez brilliantly pushed the shot away.

Both sides lived up to their billing at the Estadio da Luz with Zidane, the World Player of the Year, and his team mates oozing class while England showed commitment and no shortage of skill.

France applied the early pressure, exploiting the pace and dribbling skills of winger Robert Pires in his battle on the right with Paul Scholes playing in an familiar role on England's left.

Their first real chance did not fall until the 15th minute when Patrick Vieira's cross from the right was met by David Trezeguet but the striker's header whistled just over James's crossbar.

France, with Zidane in inspired form and Pires threading the ball through the legs of his Arsenal team mate Ashley Cole in the England defence, were tying knots with their fluid passing football.

But England came back with no shortage of passion until the two bodyblows as the seconds ticked away.

Lampard's goal was the first conceded by France for 1,077 minutes.

5:17 AM
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"Friends" star Courteney Cox has baby girl

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Former "Friends" star Courteney Cox and her husband, actor David Arquette, have became parents, after years of trying, People magazine has reported.

Cox, who turns 40 on Tuesday, gave birth to a girl in an unidentified Los Angeles hospital on Sunday, according to a report on the Web site for People magazine, www.people.com.

The magazine said Cox checked into the hospital on Saturday, a week before the baby's due date and was in labor through the night. The baby has yet to be named, it said.

Cox and Arquette, 32, have discussed their attempts to carry a baby to term, including in vitro fertilizations and Cox's miscarriages.

Cox has just finished the 10th and final season of NBC's popular sitcom, "Friends." The couple are co-producers of a home decorating show, "Mix It Up."

4:00 AM
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Sunday, June 13, 2004

WE WON'T FAIL YOU

By Andy Dunn

AT 7.40 this evening, David Beckham will look over his shoulder at the team which carries the hopes and dreams of an entire nation.

This is what the England captain will see.

"Ten players behind me who I would trust with my life. They are fearless."

This is what the moment will mean to him.

"One of the best feelings in the world. Putting on that shirt, walking out as England captain and leading this team will be the best footballing feeling you can get."

Say what you like about Beckham - and everyone usually does - but there will be no man flying the flag of St George more proudly tonight.

"The patriotism we have in our country I don't see anywhere else," he says. "At times like this, you will never see anyone like the English in the world."

And Beckham admits it is time the fanaticism and the fervour were rewarded.

"It is amazing that we haven't won anything since 1966. We have had great players and great teams but it hasn't happened. Hopefully, this is our year.

"We definitely need to win something and we need to win it quick."

Beckham, probably more than anyone, knows what it would mean to the country.

And he certainly knows what it would mean to himself.

"I've been a lucky footballer and have got so many good memories," he says.

"Scoring the goal against Greece that got us to the World Cup finals was a big thing, scoring against Argentina was probably even bigger. It wiped out everything that had gone on in the previous four years.

"Winning the treble with Manchester United has been the highlight of my career but winning these European Championships would maybe top it all.

"People have asked me if I will feel a failure if I end my England career without a trophy and I have said no. But that would certainly crown the whole thing off for me."

And once again, Beckham is driven by critics who believe he has never wielded enough influence when it really counts ... at a major championship.

"I feel I have delivered," he claims. "Not in every game but in certain games when I have had to deliver, I have.

"But people still say I haven't and there is added pressure this time to go out and prove those people wrong.

"And this is the best I've felt going into a major tournament, physically and mentally."

And it's the best he has felt about the men alongside him in the trenches ... the ten men who will line up behind him before striding into the cauldron this evening.

"This squad of players is different to any I have been involved in with England," he declares.

"When I first came in, there was a lot of respect for the older players but there was also a divide. Not any more. Nothing fazes these lads."

And as skipper, Beckham thinks his main job will be to keep a lid on their desire. He said: "I will go to every player and shake his hand and if I feel something needs to be said, I will say it. But the players are so hyped up for this game, they will have their own things to think about.

"In fact, the big job will be to try and keep the excitement down. The key will be to keep them eager and ready but not too much beforehand."

And although Beckham wears the armband on the pitch, he relishes the thought that he is surrounded by leaders.

"That's the best thing," he agrees. "I am the captain but we have got players out there with a lot to say.

"There's Sol Campbell, Gary Neville and look at Steve Gerrard ... he is going to be a great captain and is already a great captain of Liverpool.

"Steve has shown great leadership at Liverpool and the captaincy has brought him on as a person."

Beckham has made no secret of the fact that he prefers Gerrard's central role. He won't get it.

But at least Beckham and his team-mates seem to have won the day over the shape of Sven Goran Eriksson's tactical system.

He recalls: "The midfielders came together and said to Sven that we felt more comfortable in the second game in Manchester.

"The manager listens to us but at the end of the day he makes up his own mind."

And Eriksson's mind is settled and almost carefree such is his confidence in the England team.

Both the Swede and Beckham admit that a draw would be a decent outcome. But the skipper says there is no way that the current side can go out and play for stalemate.

He says: "We have got great young players with a great mentality. No matter what the game, they just like to play football ... and want to win."

And Beckham knows the ten men good and true who file out in his wake at 7.40 will do everything they can to make it happen tonight ... in fact, he would stake his life on it.

4:30 PM
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BECKS AND POSH HOST PARTY FOR THE SQUAD

POSH and Becks hosted a lavish pre-Euro party for the England squad at their mansion.

The couple spent thousands on vintage champagne and a sea-food buffet at Beckingham Palace.

The squad were invited to the house in Sawbridgeworth, Herts, last Sunday after their sensational 6-1 win against Iceland.

The party started at around 4pm.

Many of the team turned up, including Joe Cole, Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Ian Walker and Frank Lampard.

Becks's personal butler John Giles-Larkin served the lobster buffet laid out on the long dining room table.

The invitation was extended to partners and family of the squad and soft drinks and children's food was also laid on.

An insider said: "David's sons Romeo and Brooklyn were at the party and were running around excitedly.

"But there weren't too many playmates for the two boys as most of the players who turned up didn't have children.

"It wasn't a big affair like the party before the World Cup two years ago but it was the last chance of a social get-together for wives and families before the start of the tournament."

3:55 PM
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FOOTBALL: EURO 2004: TWO TRIBES GO TO WAR

Anthony Clavane

DAVID Beckham has compiled a CD of the England players' favourite songs to play before tonight's much-awaited clash with the French.

In the spirit of the take-no-prisoners build-up to this showdown, expect the opening track to be Frankie Goes To Hollywood's Two Tribes.

Although his leadership skills have been questioned recently - some pundits going so far as to argue that Steven Gerrard would make a better captain - Becks sees himself as the general about to lead his warriors into fierce battle.

Estadio da Luz tonight will be no place for the faint-hearted - and Beckham would rather have no other set of troops alongside him in the Lisbon trenches.

He said: "When I walk out as England captain against France I know that behind me will be 10 players who I can trust with my life."

Quite a declaration.

Especially from a man accused of alienating a number of his comrades through his so-called attention-seeking antics.

He might wear diamond earrings, be a heartthrob to Portuguese females and promote himself as a glamorous showbiz celebrity.

But out on the pitch there is no one prouder to be representing his country.

Beckham said: "Putting on the England shirt is one of the best feelings in the world. Seeing the 40,000 or 50,000 fans we've got coming over to the game will be incredible.

"The patriotism that's shown in our country doesn't happen anywhere else in the world. The only other country that's close is America. When things happen over there people come together and there are flags outside every house.

"But look at what's happening in our country for this tournament - you've never see anything like it anywhere.

"I'd rather the team win Euro 2004 than me have a great tournament. I have won lots of things in my career but winning this trophy with England would crown everything."

In all his time with the national set-up, Becks has never experienced the tight bonding taking place in Portugal.

In the bad old days there were cliques based on clubs and age-groups, but all that has gone.

Beckham added: "This squad of players is different to anything I've been involved in. When I first came into the team there was a divide between the younger and older players.

"But the young players who have come into the squad are not fazed by anything. They just go out and play the game they love. They are fearless.

"And it's great to have so many experienced players. There are a lot of captains. I'm not the most vocal captain England have had and I never will be.

"But we've got plenty of players with lots to say like Sol Campbell, Steve Gerrard and Gary Neville. We all know Gary's got quite a lot to say."

You'd have thought Beckham would convey a world-weary "been-there-done-that-got-the-tattoo" attitude but he still displays the child-like enthusiasm of any youngster dreaming of footballing glory.

He said: "I'm still like a fan who dreams of curling one into the top corner against the French and running off and celebrating. That sort of thing always goes through my mind."

He doesn't care that pundits are moaning it's about time he delivered at an international tournament - he thrives on that kind of pressure.

Beckham said: "I feel I've delivered in the other tournaments. But there is an added pressure here in Portugal because people are saying I haven't performed recently for Real Madrid.

"So I have to put that right. I have to try and prove people wrong.

"It's been a long journey for me. To think that three years before I was given the captaincy I was one of the most hated men in the country.

"So to go on and win Euro 2004 would be amazing. "

One thing he's learned from his sojourn in Spain is that it's best to adopt a Sven-like calm before a war-like encounter like tonight's. Perhaps another Frankie song - Relax - will be on that pre-match CD.

"The mentality of foreign teams is more relaxed than English teams. The French will be very relaxed and so should we.

"I'll go round to each player and shake their hands. If something needs to be said, I'll say it.

"But the players are so hyped up for this game they don't need me to say anything."FRANCE v ENGLAND

3:53 PM
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EURO 2004: HEADS WE WIN

DAVID BECKHAM goes head to head with Zinedine Zidane tonight insisting that leading England to Euro 2004 glory would be the ultimate moment of his career.

England face fearsome reigning European champions France at Lisbon's Estadio da Luz in their opening Group B match.

The key to success will lie with halting Beckham's Real Madrid team-mate Zidane and the rest of Jacques Santini's star-studded team. Beckham said: "Winning Euro 2004 would top the Treble I won with Manchester United in 1999.

"I have achieved some great things and what happened with United in 1999 is the highlight of my career so far.

"There was also the goal I scored against Greece at Old Trafford which helped England qualify for the World Cup finals.

"And then there was the winner I scored against Argentina in Japan that wiped out the memory of being sent off against them in 1998.

"But if I captain my country to win Euro 2004 it would beat them all because of what it would mean to the country."

Zidane will captain France after Marcel Desailly failed to recover from a knee injury.

And Beckham hit back at French claims that Thierry Henry will destroy Michael Owen in the battle of strikers.

Becks said: "There are no players and no teams that scare me and we are not daunted by the fact that France will have Zidane and Henry.

"It's Henry who makes them tick - but we have Michael Owen. People forget that Michael has been European Footballer of the Year while Thierry hasn't.

"Michael, when he is fit and on form, is as influential in a game of football as Henry. And I'd even say that Michael is even a better finisher."

Sven Goran Eriksson has given Ledley King the job of stopping Henry in only his second start for England - even though John Terry trained at the stadium last night.

Eriksson said: "John did everything that was asked of him in training so he will almost certainly be ready for the game against Switzerland on Thursday.

"There are no other injuries. We are now prepared both physically and mentally."

PHIL NEVILLE has rubbished suggestions that Fabien Barthez is no longer up to the job of being France's No.1 keeper.

He said: "Fabien is quick, agile and brave - he's still a top keeper."

3:48 PM
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We've got French by the Gauls

FRANK LAMPARD last night claimed it's the French who are running scared of England.
The Chelsea midfielder has heard all the talk of how Sven Goran Eriksson's side should be afraid of Thierry Henry & Co in Lisbon tonight.

But Lampard, 25, insisted it's the French who should be worried ahead of the Euro 2004 opener. He said: "We shouldn't worry too much. Yes, we have to respect them and understand how good they are - but we have got to believe we are good enough to match them.

"If we are on top of our game, we can match anyone - and we can certainly win the tournament. And I'm sure the French will be concerned about a lot of our players.

"I've spoken to Arsenal's Ashley Cole. He says he knows from talking to his French club-mates that they are worried about us. That's nice to hear. We need to know that to help us believe we can beat them."

Lampard takes confidence from the blend of experience, talent and youthful exuberance which runs through this England squad.

He added: "We have too many good players through the team. We have top, top players who will perform in the big games and the lads have more belief than ever.

"That's the good thing and we definitely have the players to go out there and make it happen. We have a great mix and a great spirit. We have experienced players who are top drawer and have seen the lot. Then there are the younger players who are fearless in the way they play - like Rooney.

"And then there's Steven Gerrard. He's been a big player for a few years but he really has moved up to another level in his football for Liverpool. He is the modern midfielder - he has everything and I'm sure the French will be worried about him.

"And Stevie won't think twice about who he is playing against - he'll be concentrating on his own game and won't be in awe of anyone. Once you have that mentality it can only help. You just don't worry about anyone else."

And Lampard believes Eriksson's excellence as a coach will prove crucial. The Stamford Bridge star is a big fan of the Swede - and says he doesn't know an England player who isn't.

He said: "Sven has the right balance between listening to the players and being boss. He's tactically aware without over-complicating matters. He treats players like men but you know if you step out of line he will deal with you.

"People see a composed person on the bench and maybe they want to see a bit more life in a manager. But I don't think in modern football you need to be a screamer and shouter.

"He definitely isn't that but he gets his point across. I'm sure he's not worried how people see him from the outside as long as he gets the right results."

Lampard looks nailed on to be the attacking central midfielder alongside Gerrard, who will assume more defensive responsibilities. He admitted: "It is a more natural position for me. A big chunk of my game is getting forward and scoring goals and if I can do that for England, I will certainly start to be more comfortable.

"Just sensing the build-up to the game gives me a tingle. I'm not nervous yet but things will change as the kick-off comes closer. That's how it should be. It means I'm ready and raring to go."

3:46 PM
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EXCLUSIVE: Sven Goran Eriksson

FA robbed me of world's greatest defender

By Jim Keat

SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON last night launched a bitter attack on the FA and left no doubts he blames Mark Palios for depriving his side of Rio Ferdinand at Euro 2004.

The England coach is still upset at being without the Manchester United defender following his ban for missing a drugs test.

And with a defensive crisis further weakening his side as they prepare for tonight's showdown with France in Lisbon, Eriksson has let rip with a blast aimed at FA chief Palios.

Eriksson said: "It's a great shame Rio is not playing. We're talking about the best central defender in Europe, if not the world. That, in my opinion, is without question.

"I feel sorry we could do nothing after the decision was made to ban him because we had no one to talk to about it. That is not right.

"It was a hard verdict on Rio. He was punished by someone independently who did not take other matters into account.

"And nobody could speak out for the player. It isn't good, of course, and something needs to be done. The fact that there are no strict UEFA and FIFA rulings on this matter left this decision open to an individual's judgment which didn't necessarily relate to the action."

Palios decided on the eight-month ban which wrecked Ferdinand's dreams of playing in Portugal, as well as his hopes of starting next season with United.

The 25-year-old England player launched an appeal but the suspension remains and he now has to watch Euro 2004 from the sidelines.

Eriksson has now called for the football authorities to change the rules so that events surrounding the Ferdinand case do not happen again and wants to see a new law that applies across the globe.

Sven said: "There should be specific fines for whoever doesn't attend these tests or is found guilty.

"These rules should apply to all country members involved because at the moment this isn't happening.

"Of course, I believe in Rio's innocence. I believe he simply forgot to take the test and that's it.

"There was another test which proved he was not guilty. In fact, I don't think there are many people in England who don't believe in Rio."

The FA will claim they were left with no choice but to ban Ferdinand and Palios will have plenty of sympathy from within the game.

The 30million United star was at fault for not attending a drugs test and in any other sport would have been banned for far longer than eight months.

But Eriksson feels strongly on the matter and has urged his side to overcome what is a huge set-back tonight.

John Terry's troublesome hamstring has made Ferdinand's omission even more crucial with England having to use their SIXTH choice centre-back to shackle Thierry Henry & Co.

Ledley King, who has played in midfield for Tottenham all season, will partner Sol Campbell in the heart of the defence. He gets the nod ahead of Liverpool's Jamie Carragher.

And Eriksson added: "Rio will be missed massively and, apart from him, we are without Jonathan Woodgate and Gareth Southgate, who are very experienced.

"John Terry is struggling and so we had to bring in less experienced players.

"We just have to hope they take their chances and make sure they don't let their inexperience affect their ability."

Eriksson went on to warn his players that defeat to the French will make it extremely difficult to progress.

He said: "I think we have a good chance against them but, of course, it will be a tough match.

"I don't want to think about the possibility of losing but it is a possibility. And if this happens, we'll find it very difficult to succeed in the tournament.

"Losing the first game makes it so much harder, regardless of our future opposition, but there is a huge rivalry with France.

"We are two football giants with a sporting rivalry that is only the tip of the iceberg.

"The fans sense the hype but the players have a different role and that is to clinch a vital win.

"We need to be good in all departments because they are strong all over.

"I've seen them many times. They have a very deep bench and some of the best players in the world in their positions - like Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry."

But Eriksson's faith in his own players, in particular skipper David Beckham, is also clear.

The Swede admits Becks has suffered a dip in form but insists he hasn't considered resting him, even at a time when stories about his private life seemed set to rattle him.

Eriksson said: "We're talking about the most experienced player of them all, who is a leader as well.

"On a professional note, you can't disregard the fact that David has suffered a dip in form but he is a professional and I have no hesitation in relying on him.

"We'll see him at his best in Portugal, I'm sure of that. I think he will have a great tournament and help us immensely.

"It is now up to the players to see how far they can go."

3:45 PM
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We've got the balls

WE'VE GOT THE BALLS: Becks wants to match World Cup heroes of 1966

DAVID BECKHAM will launch England on the road to Euro 2004 glory tonight insisting: "We will triumph - just like the 1966 heroes."

The Three Lions aim to roar in their opener against France and Becks is sure his 'fearless' side can go on to emulate Bobby Moore's World Cup-winning team.

And in an exclusive News of the World interview, the England skipper declared: "Bobby's team left their indelible mark on our history - but winning Euro 2004 away from home would put us on a par with them."

He added: Being given the captain's armband was - and still is - the proudest moment of my career. Now I want to emulate Bobby by lifting the trophy in a major championship. This is my chance - and it can be our finest hour in football.

"It is amazing we haven't won anything in 38 years because we have one of the best leagues in the world and we've got some great players. Hopefully this will be our year."

The Real Madrid midfield star, 29, added: "I've been a lucky footballer, with so many achievements.

"Probably winning the Treble with Manchester United is the greatest. But to win something with England would top that.

Special

"Playing for England is the most important thing in my life.

"And pulling on the England shirt and leading this team into competition is one of the best feelings in the world.

"This squad is different to anything I have been involved in before. Nothing fazes them, they are fearless - and that's a great thing for our team.

"The players just want to get out there and win it.

"The first game is important, you have to get off to a good start. A draw wouldn't be the worst result in the world. But we want to win it."

EVERY match ball at UEFA Euro 2004 will be specifically personalized for each individual game.

The adidas Roteiro balls will be inscribed with the names of the teams, the date, the name of the stadium - even the longitude and latitude of the centre spot of the pitch.

3:45 PM
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EXCLUSIVE: England Captain David Beckham

The best team in the world

By Antony Kastrinakis

DAVID BECKHAM last night hailed his England side as the best he has ever played in.

On the eve of today's opening Euro 2004 showdown with France, the captain is convinced England will meet the challenge and claim an historic victory.

In an exclusive News of the World interview, Beckham said: "The responsibility doesn't give me sleepless nights but it does fill me with excitement.

"In Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, John Terry and Frank Lampard we have some of the best youngsters in the world, while Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Sol Campbell are world-class players with great experience.

"But we have talent right through the squad, with players like Joe Cole and Kieron Dyer who can give us that extra bit of quality.

"France may have Thierry Henry. But we've got Michael Owen. Maybe we are forgetting that Michael has been European Footballer Of The Year. Thierry hasn't.

"Michael is fit and, on form, is as influential in a game as Henry. He is also possibly a better finisher.

"We are a great team and I am proud to be captaining the best England squad that I have yet been involved with. We have the players to cope in every position.

Talents

"Sure, people say the left flank is a problem but I can tell our fans we will ensure we are solid and we will keep our shape. We will work around any weaknesses we may have, just as we did during the World Cup."

France have not lost an official fixture since the World Cup and won ALL eight of their qualifiers for the finals.

They can call, too, on the incredible talents of Arsenal's Henry and Patrick Vieira plus Beckham's awesome Real Madrid team-mate Zinedine Zidane.

Yet Beckham, who will be hoping for another goal celebration with Gerrard, Rooney and Owen, insisted: "We are not at all daunted by facing Zidane and Henry in our first game.

Mark

"Obviously, they're great players and one of them is my club team-mate. But you always want to play against the best players and the best team. We're definitely going to be doing that in our opener.

"Thierry deserves to be called one of the best forwards in the world. But the fact English defenders, like his Arsenal team-mates Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole, know him so well might be an advantage.

"However, sometimes you can't do anything about those players who are so special. It doesn't matter who is asked to mark them because they are so good and can turn a game in an instant.

"But no player and no team scares me, as we have such great players as well. I've so much respect for Zidane. He is the best player I've ever played with. I'm privileged to be in the same Real Madrid team as him.

"When we come up against him in Lisbon, hopefully he will not show the sort of form he has been in for Real."

Beckham even refuses to accept Henry is the world's best player, insisting that accolade goes to another Real Madrid superstar - Ronaldo.

He declared: "Henry makes Arsenal and France tick. He'd make any team tick. He has proved over and over again he's one of the best strikers in the world. But Ronaldo has proved he's the best striker in the world.

"He has been World Player of the Year an amazing three times and also top-scored in a World Cup finals. In my opinion, Ronaldo is better than Henry.

"I've never played with Henry - though I'd like to - but I believe Ronaldo has the edge. Certainly, they are two outstanding performers."

Beckham reckons England can take on all-comers in the European Championships with their unrivalled team spirit.

He insisted: "No team is unbeatable in this Euro tournament. Some have technical weaknesses and some have mental weaknesses.

"Sometimes there are teams who start as favourites, yet dressing room problems prevent them from going far. This is something we definitely have no worries about in the England set-up.

"We're a bunch of lads who have already been together for a long time and now we are prepared for the big step.

"We are ready and that is our message to the nation ahead of the European Championships."

Proud Becks also assured the millions who will be glued to their tellies this evening that England will NOT let them down.

Yet the skipper warned the clash with France is not the be-all and end-all, pointing to Euro 2000.

Then England won the clash with rivals Germany 1-0 but went out after losing their next two games to Portugal and Romania.

He said: "We have the players, the know-how and the confidence. We have the ability, we have the belief but above all we have the desire and work ethic to do it.

"France will feel confident against us, as we have not managed to beat them since Le Tournoi in 1997.

Belief

"But when the final whistle goes in Lisbon, I'm confident we will be the ones jumping up and down with joy. And if we do win, we must be careful, as we could come crashing down to earth.

"We have not forgotten how we were beaten by Portugal and Romania four years ago, so it's extremely important to make sure we then win when we play Switzerland and Croatia.

"I don't think topping our group will make our lives any easier in terms of our second phase opponents. But winning it will give our confidence a massive boost.

"This is our big chance. I don't think I will be giving the lads a massive, rousing speech before the game. We have players who play for Europe's biggest clubs, like Manchester United, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Chelsea. So do the French.

"It's all about the belief. And I know the England team believe.

"I would rather the team win the tournament than me have a great Euro 2004 and us lose out. To win something with England would crown everything for me."

3:44 PM
t.r.a.c.y

WE'RE HERE TO SEE DADDY!

From Jeremy Armstrong and Paul Byrne In Portugal

VICTORIA Beckham yesterday gave husband David a Euro 2004 boost when she arrived in Portugal to cheer on him and his England team-mates.

The 30-year-old singer landed in Lisbon with excited sons Romeo and Brooklyn, who yelled "We're here to see daddy" as soon as the plane touched down.

Posh arrived at the airport with Steven Gerrard's fiancee Alex Curran and Wayne Rooney's 18-year-old girlfriend Colleen McLoughlin as their other halves prepared to take on bitter rivals France tomorrow in their opening game of the contest.

But she ditched her private jet to join ordinary fans on the British Airways flight from Heathrow with 21-month-old Romeo and Brooklyn, five.

And Victoria told passengers: "I'm really looking forward to the game - it is going to be brilliant. We can't wait to see David."

On the flight she perched next to stunned supporters Richard Barber, and Tracy Draper, both 21, from Croydon, Surrey.

Richard said: "We couldn't believe it. She was really happy and chatty and told us how much she was looking forward to the match. The kids were really excited when we touched down and shouted: 'We are here to see daddy. We are here to see daddy.' They were so happy. Posh was very down to earth."

Richard told how he felt guilty because he was reading about Victoria not being able to get into the players' wives hotel at the Penha Longa resort as the Czech team had taken all the remaining rooms.

But he needn't have worried - she managed to secure a room after a last-minute plea to the hotel management.

At the team's training camp, skipper Beckham was clearly dreaming of Euro glory as he posed for pictures in a replica 1966 England World Cup winning shirt.

The delighted player told football chiefs his family's arrival was "brilliant news". A source at the England camp said: "He loves playing in front of his family.

"It is a massive boost for him for his wife and children to be here, and he is already as pumped up for the match as he can be.

"It will be tremendous if either of the kids can make the game. He will give Posh a wave as he lines up for the national anthem."

Beckham yesterday paid a personal tribute to his wife, who he said had been a "rock" following revelations the Real Madrid star allegedly had affairs with former PA Rebecca Loos and model Sarah Marbeck.

He added: "That is one of the reasons I married her. She has such inner strength. Obviously she is beautiful but she is such a strong person as well.

"She is the one who has kept us together as a family and I know for a fact that she will carry on taking the flak. We both will.

"I have a good strong family, a good strong wife and two great children."

Becks spoke as more of the expected 50,000 England fans poured into Portugal.

Another 2,000 flew into Faro airport. They will make their way to Lisbon's Estadion Luz for tomorrow's match.

But many complained that when it came to buying booze Portuguese bar staff are ripping them off because they are English.

Supporter Brett Cowley, 40, of Lyneham, Wilts, said: "If you ask for a beer in English they charge you 4.25 Euros.

"But if you put on a French accent it is 3.25 Euros. It is a disgrace."

A total of 22 England fans were turned back at UK ports and airports yesterday as part of the crackdown on soccer hooligans.

Tomorrow is a saint's day and there were concerns over all-day drinking by fans in what will be a carnival atmosphere.

But Staffordshire deputy chief constable David Swift, in charge of the police operation in Portugal, said he was "optimistic" the match would be trouble free.

ER, WHO ARE WE PLAYING AGAIN? STEVEN Gerrard's fiancee landed in Portugal yesterday for tomorrow's big match - but had no idea who England were playing.

Alex Curran, 21, said: "I'll see the Switzerland game and the first match...who are we playing in that again?"

Alex, in Portugal with three-month-old daughter Lilly Ella, will fly home before the June 21 game with Croatia. She added: "I'll see Steve in the afternoons after training. Otherwise I'll just enjoy the resort while I can."

Wayne Rooney's girlfriend Colleen McLoughlin, 18, also flew in for tomorrow's clash with France.

She said of the Everton hotshot: "He's fine, very relaxed and I'm looking forward to seeing him. It's going to be a great match."

1:14 AM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKS MARKS THE SPOT

From David Mcdonnell in Portugal

DAVID BECKHAM can be elected an MEP - in this case that stands for Most Exciting Player - in the big decision that really matters this weekend.

England meet France in Lisbon tomorrow night as the Euro election results are announced. And Becks' battle with club-mate Zinedine Zidane will be too close to call, says their Real Madrid colleague Luis Figo.

"David and Zizou are fantastic players and great competitors," said Portugal skipper Figo. "England and France are also great teams, so I wouldn't like to say who is going to come out on top.

"In fact, I think there is so little to choose between the teams the game will probably end up a draw. Neither side will want to lose the opening game, so it will be very tight."

Figo believes both players will be fired up after a disappointing, trophyless season at Madrid and will want to prove a point when they lead out their respective countries at the Stadium of Light at 7.45pm tomorrow.

"All of us were disappointed with the way things went at Real, which is why we are all so desperate to do well for our countries," said Figo. "I know David and Zizou care very passionately about their countries and they will both want to win the opening game so badly."

Figo feels either could determine the outcome of the game with a piece of individual skill.

"David's ability from free-kicks and corners is amazing," he said.

"He has to be one of the best players in the world when it comes to dead-ball situations.

"In my opinion he is also the best crosser of a ball in the world. At Real, he has played in a more central midfield role, but on the right for England his crossing ability is a big weapon.

"He might not be able to go past players, but makes up for that with his ability to pick out team-mates with a long ball. And, more often than not, he makes the final pass."

As proved by France's disastrous World Cup, Zidane, 31, is vital for them. Two years ago he missed their first two games with a thigh injury and was nowhere near fit when he played in their third.

Figo added: "Zizou is currently the best player in the world. He has it all.

"No one else can come close to him for technical ability, vision and inventiveness. He is the complete player in my opinion.

"A lot will depend on how he plays against England. The same goes for David."

1:09 AM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKS: I'VE BEEN A REAL HIT

By Oliver Holt

THE text sex, the personal assistant, the lurid headlines, the wife, the reconciliation, the denials, the protestations, the balcony, the underpants and now, at last for David Beckham, the football and the getaway.

Blinded by the blizzard of details about his personal life in Madrid, there have been times over the past season when it has been easy to forget this is also a man who plays right midfield for England.

A man who spent an hour alone on the training ground in the afternoon sun practising his free kicks on Thursday after the rest of the squad had returned to the hotel.

Easy to forget that this one-man publicity machine was, until he was usurped by Steven Gerrard, his country's inspiration on the pitch and the man who carried us into the 2002 World Cup finals with a performance of staggering energy in the qualifier against Greece.

At times over the past six months, it has seemed that that David Beckham got buried under the avalanche of gossip and scandal.

Yesterday, as England prepared for tomorrow's showdown with France in the Estadio da Luz, we asked him if we could have our Beckham back. The England captain looked surprised. He said he had never been away, he didn't feel he was overdue a better performance and he denied the focus on his private life had affected his form.

"I have had a lot of better games in my career than I have had recently," Beckham said.

"But before I got sent off against Murcia at the end of last season, I had been playing better in that game than I had for a couple of months.

"For some people, I have got a lot to prove against France and I want to play a lot better football than I have played but I definitely don't feel as though I owe anybody anything else. I don't think I owe the team a big game. I want to play the best I can. In every game I play in, I give 110 per cent."

Beckham did admit a surge of relief and invigoration when a torrid season of failure with Real Madrid drew to a close and he returned to the England fold.

For him, even the pressure of a match as big as this one against France is a form of shelter from the storm.

"Nothing affects me on the pitch," he said at the England training camp yesterday.

"I go into a zone. When I am on that football pitch I don't think about what has gone on outside my football career.

"I'm used to it. That is the one thing I have made sure has always happened. I have got a good strong family behind me, a good strong wife and two great children.

"The pressures are part and parcel of my life now but I get away from the pressures when I play. That's where nothing else gets in the way. It's my getaway.

"I was pleased to meet up at the end of the season with England after what happened in Madrid. The first six months out in Spain were the best football I had ever played in my career.

"And then the team tired, I got tired and things went wrong and we ended up winning nothing. It was refreshing for me to meet up with England."

Beckham talked about how he had dreamed of England winning a major competition as Sir Clive Woodward's rugby heroes were lifting the World Cup in Australia.

He talked, too, about how he drew strength from wife, Victoria. "I felt I had to prove a lot of people wrong by going to Spain and proving myself there. I am happy with my performances in Spain, especially in the first half of the season. In Portugal, I will do my best as I always do," he said.

As he talked, Sven Goran Eriksson was in another room, talking about his captain. The man he knows. Not the idol. "He loves the game," Eriksson said. "If you look at all the competitive games we have played in, Beckham has lifted himself.

"Somehow he feels that he is the captain and that he has to do it even more than the other players. I never have to talk to him about it. But he just loves England and the job. And loves doing it for his country."

All that is true. Let's hope he can raise his game again tomorrow. Let's hope we get our Beckham back.

1:07 AM
t.r.a.c.y

WE CAN BECOME THE NEW LISBON LIONS

From John Cross in Lisbon

DAVID BECKHAM last night roared out a Euro 2004 rallying cry and insisted his England team have nothing to fear from tournament favourites France.

Beckham promised that England will go for a win tomorrow night in the Group B opener at Lisbon's Estadio da Luz, and can progress to become European champions in three weeks.

The England players will watch Hollywood blockbuster Gladiator tonight at the team hotel, but Beckham is backing the Lions to come out on top in the one that really matters.

He said: "We're as ready as we possibly can be. There's a buzz in the squad and we just want to get on with the game now. You can see it in the players' eyes that we're ready for this and we believe we can do it.

"I won't settle for a draw. We are definitely not looking for a draw because we are going out there to win. To win a major tournament like this would be amazing for me as a person and as a player."

And captain Beckham warned France's big guns Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira to expect a physical battle. He said: "We have got to forget about how good other teams and players are. If our team comes together at the right time it is capable of beating anyone.

"The plan is not to be fazed by any of their players or their team. I think we have got a great team. I am proud to be English and I believe our team is better than theirs."

England boss Sven Goran Eriksson was dealt a blow when defender John Terry was ruled out after failing to prove his fitness in training yesterday and will be replaced by Tottenham's inexperienced Ledley King.

But Beckham promises England will not intimidated by France and said: "We have got Gary Neville and Steven Gerrard back and they have played great this season.

"Steven has shown a lot of people how good he is this season. We didn't have them in the World Cup and that strengthens our squad immediately."

He added: "We know that the first 10 minutes will be high tempo but I think the whole game will be that way. There will be strong tackles and we'll be ready."

1:06 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Saturday, June 12, 2004

Beckham fury at private photographs

Trevor Huggins

LISBON, June 11 (Reuters) - David Beckham's love-hate relationship with the British press took a turn for the worse on Friday when the England captain vented his anger at tabloid photographs of him on a hotel balcony.

Off to meet his media chums: Beckham

The Football Association (FA) had tried in vain to stop two British papers publishing the photographs of Beckham relaxing at the Euro 2004 team hotel outside Lisbon.

'I must admit I wasn't happy about that sort of picture being on the front page of the paper,' Beckham told a news conference about the so-called jock shots.

'But in a way, it's something that doesn't surprise me.

'The FA are really not happy with the privacy thing because people were warned before the competition.'

There was a similarly battle-weary response from coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, whose love affair with a television presenter was splashed across tabloids in 2002.

'I'm not irritated by it,' Eriksson said on Friday.

'I've been in England for three and a half years so I know what the press is. I think they're obsessed about certain things.

'But I've always said that as long as I can stand it, I have to accept it.'

The FA had expressed its 'extreme disappointment' on Thursday at the photographs, describing them as a 'clear breach of the players' privacy'.

4:14 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Roar 'em on
...Becks & the Lions of England

From NICK PARKER in Lisbon

PATRIOTIC David Beckham yesterday pledged a towering England performance tomorrow - as opponents France get an Eiffel of our soccer heroes’ skills.

Becks declared his team was hungry for victory in their Euro 2004 opener against the tournament favourites in Portugal.

The England skipper insisted: "You can clearly see in the players' eyes that we just want to get out there and get this game on."

By George he's patriotic ... Becks flies the flag

Becks, 29, said: "France are a great team but I personally think we are better than them."

He also promised that lurid allegations about his love life would NOT affect his own performance.

Becks, who denies an affair with ex-personal assistant Rebecca Loos, said he never lets his private life interfere with his game.

Support ... Posh arrives with Romeo

He explained: "I go into a zone where all I ever want to do is play football."

He paid tribute to wife Victoria, 30, saying: "Her strength has not surprised me. That is one of the reasons why I married her - because she is a strong person and because she is beautiful. She is the person who keeps the family together."

Yesterday Victoria flew out to Portugal with sons Brooklyn, five, and 21-month-old Romeo.

Fan Richard Barber, 21, from Croydon, South London, said: "The kids were really excited when we landed - shouting, 'We are here to see daddy!'"

The Sun told yesterday how Victoria had tried to book a room at the same hotel as other players' wives only to be told it was full.

But yesterday room WAS found for her at the Penha Longa golf and spa resort near Lisbon.

Shortly after Posh's arrival, midfielder Steven Gerrard's fiancée Alex, 21, stepped off a plane - and was so excited she forgot who the match was against. She said: "Who are we playing again?"

4:06 PM
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Time to sparkle, Becks

By STEVEN HOWARD

IF David Beckham dazzles like his diamond earrings over the next three weeks, he will be voted the outstanding player of Euro 2004.

The highly-priced sparklers come from Jacob the Jeweller, a gem merchant very much in vogue with New York’s hip-hop fraternity.

I could not tell my hip from my hop. But I DO know Becks needs to shine as powerfully as the Portuguese sun - starting tomorrow against favourites France. And so does he.

After his red card against Argentina in 1998, a first-round exit at Euro 2000 and his injury problems in Japan, this is the time when Beckham has to deliver.

Now we want to see Beckham the footballer - not just pictures of his celebrated features staring down at us from advertising hoardings and from the front pages of glossy magazines.

The England skipper agreed as much when he admitted: "I want to be famous for being a football player and winning England captain - not famous for being famous.

"A couple of years ago, I was asked whether my career would have been a failure if England didn't win any of the major trophies. Obviously my answer was no - and it still is.

"Yet to win something with England would cap it all for me as a person, a player and as skipper.

"And this team CAN win something. But we will need to play like we did against Germany in Munich, Argentina in Japan and Turkey in Istanbul.

"To do that over three weeks, we will have to peak like the rugby side did in Australia. In fact, I thought that the moment they won the World Cup."

On the delicate subject of his below-par displays at the major tournaments, he said: "In club games and in certain matches for England, I honestly believe I have performed very well.

"In tournaments, I have done OK in some and not so in others. I wouldn't call myself a failure like some people have. In fact, I'm looking forward to proving I can perform on the big stage.

"People say I haven't played well recently, that I owe the team a massive performance. Personally, I don't agree.

"Of course, I want to be the best player in every game but that's just not possible. But I never gave anything less than 110 per cent.

"At the same time, the most important thing is the team. I'd far rather the side win than me score a hat-trick and we lose.

"When I went to Spain I had to prove myself there and I feel I've done that - especially in the first half of the season. But now the pressure is on me once again. But I'm used to it.

"I have had it for 10 years now and it's part and parcel of my life. But football is my getaway - and the football pitch my escape route."

The England camp has also proved a refuge after the embarrassing collapse of Real Madrid's season - when they ended without a trophy.

Even the great Zinedine Zidane - the main threat to England here tomorrow - has spoken about coming to Euro 2004 and putting right everything that went wrong in Madrid.

Beckham agreed, saying: "I know what he means. I was pleased to meet up with the England boys after what happened at the end of the season.

"The first six months in Spain was probably the best football I've played. Yet one minute we were going for four trophies and the next there was nothing.

"Before Christmas my fitness levels were high. Then I picked up injuries, missed three or four weeks and the levels went down - and stayed there.

"I didn't know just how far they had sunk until I met up with England. Now, though, they are back to what they should be.

"I understand I have a lot to prove to some people - and I want to play a lot better than I have been recently."

If the skipper can get it right then an England midfield of Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes will give Zidane, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires and Claude Makelele one of their toughest tests. But it will all hinge on the England defence.

"If they make mistakes, they will be punished.

Of the gameplan, Becks said: "We have to forget how good other players and other teams are in this tournament.

"Yes, we're always being asked about Zidane and Thierry Henry - but they will have been asked about us, too. And rightly so."

But what of Zidane, his fellow Galactico?

Beckham said: "I know how special he is.

"To play with him is amazing, to play against him extremely tough.

"But I did make the lads laugh when I did one of his spin-turns against Japan the other day.

"Joey Cole, who was on the bench, apparently said 'I think Becks has been playing with Zidane too long . . .'

"I actually even surprised myself!"

Now all eyes will be on Lisbon tomorrow for game in which some highly-priced footballing gems will be in the display window.

Let's hope it's England's sparkling in the Stadium of Light.

3:54 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Balls v Gauls

From MARK IRWIN in Lisbon

DAVID BECKHAM insists England have got what it takes to beat the Gauls in their Euro 2004 showdown tomorrow.

Goldenballs Becks, 29, said: "France are a great team but we are better than them.

"I believe that because I'm English and I have so much confidence in the players around me. But we have to prove that on the pitch.

"We have to produce our very best performances. If every player does that we've got every chance of beating France.

"If we come together at the right time we are capable of beating anyone."

Skipper Beckham also revealed his men are ready to "get stuck in" for their Group B opener in Lisbon.

He said: "The plan is to go right at them and not be fazed by any of their players.

"The physical side will always be there with England. It's part of our nature to get stuck in and not be frightened.

"But we won't try to bully anyone because we also want to play attractive football.

"It will be physical, played at a high tempo and with a lot of passion. But it will also be a tactical, skilful game."

Boss Sven Goran Eriksson has been running England's stars into the ground over the last few weeks to bring his players to their physical peak.

And Becks revealed all the hard work has paid off. He said: "This team is as ready as it can be.

"There is a definite buzz in the camp about what we can achieve."

Beckham has been inspired by England's rugby heroes after last year's World Cup glory.

He added: "It was pretty amazing seeing all the excitement caused by the rugby team.

"At the time I dreamed about what it would be like for us to do the same.

"If it was that big for the rugby lads just imagine what it would be like if we could bring this trophy back home."

3:52 PM
t.r.a.c.y

WHERE SUNDAY'S GAME WILL BE WON AND LOST

VIEIRA has warned Gerrard to "get ready for war" as they take their Premiership rivalry to the international stage.

But Gerrard is determined to get the better of Vieira after being outplayed by the Arsenal midfielder in the 2001 FA Cup final - even though Liverpool won 2-1.

Gerrard, 24, said: "Patrick is the best around and it is nice to be compared to him. I'm ready to give him - and the lads are ready to give France - a good run."

Vieira, 27, revealed: "The player I most admire in the England team is Gerrard.

"He's physically very strong, has great physical presence in the middle and is capable of going forward and scoring goals."

OWEN will lead the England attack with Manchester United defender Silvestre given the task of combating the Liverpool striker's pace.

But Owen, 24, reckons he already has the upper hand as he bids to end France's 11-game run without conceding a goal.

He said: "I've scored against Fabien Barthez, Mikael Silvestre, William Gallas and Marcel Desailly - and I'm hopeful that will continue.

"We know they haven't conceded a goal in 11 games.

"But they've not come up against England in that time and faced what we've got. We can score goals against any team."

Silvestre, 26, admitted: "Everyone knows what Owen is capable of because he has scored goals for Liverpool and England.

"But every defender wants to prove themselves against the best strikers - and I am the same."

THE Real Madrid team-mates are both under pressure to deliver for their countries after a disappointing season with their club.

Real failed to win anything in Spain or Europe last term - despite fielding a star-studded line-up.

But England skipper Beckham insists he has improved his game just by being on the same pitch as the World Player of the Year.

Zidane is the playmaker who many consider to be the biggest threat to Sven Goran Eriksson's troops.

Becks, 29, said: "People realise what an amazing player he is. To play with him is a great honour and against him it's tough."

Zidane, 31, revealed: "I've got to know Beckham over the past year - and he is a formidable player.

"I'm hoping Sunday's game will be difficult for David and that we can control him."

THE Arsenal pals are the rock and dagger of their club.

Now Campbell must stop goal-machine Henry putting the knife into England after watching him bang in 39 goals for the Gunners last season.

Former Spurs defender Campbell, 29, is relishing the prospect of coming up against the PFA Player of the Year.

He said: "This really will be survival of the fittest. My old friend Thierry has had a fantastic season."

But Henry, 26, knows he will have to be at his sharpest to outfox his club-mate tomorrow.

The Frenchman insisted: "Sol is a rock. When you've got Sol on your back, it's no laughing matter.

"He is very hard to get past. He imposes his physical power and he's a real athlete.

"But, above all, we are talking about an extremely nice man."

3:52 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Respect for France ends at kickoff - Becks

LISBON, June 11 (Reuters) - England captain David Beckham paid tribute to France's European champions on Friday but warned the respect would end at kickoff in Sunday's Euro 2004 clash.

Beckham, who called on the spirit England used to beat Argentina at the 2002 World Cup, was not fazed by the attention given to Jacques Santini's tournament favourites.

'Most of the talk has been how good the French team are, and rightly so because they've got world class players and a world class team,' Beckham told a news conference.

'But so have we. We've got a lot of great talent, with young and experienced players.

'We respect their team as a whole but once we cross that white line I think most of the respect will be out the window and we'll be fighting to win the game.'

As for himself, Beckham said: 'I'd like to think I'll have a big impact on the tournament.

'I have to perform like all the other players...but I have to lead as a captain and that's what I'll do.'

Beckham faces a particularly enticing battle in midfield with Real Madrid team mate Zinedine Zidane.

'I'll say hallo or 'bonjour' to him and we'll enjoy the day hopefully. He's a great player and I respect him a lot.

'But it's going to be a tough game for us both.'

On Saturday, Beckham believes England will need the kind of performances they delivered in a historic 5-1 away win over Germany in 2001, a 0-0 draw in Turkey to reach Euro 2004 and that 1-0 victory over the Argentines in Sapporo.

'That's the level we have to perform to - the highest possible, especially against the players we'll be facing,' he said. 'It's a massive challenge and I'm looking forward to it.

'It's like in the World Cup when people were talking about the game against Argentina.

'That was a massive game and it turned out perfect for us in the end and hopefully it will turn out perfect for us again. But we realise how tough it is going to be.'

Upbeat about their prospects in Portugal, Beckham reckons England can improve on their World Cup run, which ended in a quarter-final defeat by eventual world champions Brazil.

'We've got a lot more to offer,' said the skipper.

'We performed pretty well in games in that competition but didn't go as far as we wanted to or were expected to.'

'But the expectations for this team and from these players is very high and that's what we're taking into this game on Sunday.

England's campaign continues after Sunday's opener with further Group B games against Switzerland and Croatia.

1:59 AM
t.r.a.c.y

a couple of training pictures for u to see...

12:36 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Becks ready for France

England captain David Beckham has revealed his anticipation at facing European champions France in their Euro 2004 opener on Sunday.

The Real Madrid star knows it is a crucial match for The Three Lions, as they look to get a positive start in their Group B campaign.

The former Manchester United midfielder knows his side must perform at their highest level if they are to overcome Jacques Santini's side at Estadio de Luz.

"I think everyone is talking about the game," Beckham told a packed England press conference.

"It's a game that is important to everyone in the team and in the country because it is a game between two great nations.

"We will have to perform to the highest level. We need a standard that is definitely very high.

"The expectation from the players is very high. The French team has a lot of great players, so we do have a lot of respect for them.

"But we have great players as well and I'm sure they are aware of that.

"Once we cross that white line (on Sunday), that respect will be out the window."

Beckham added that the reported war of words between both sets of players will not affect the England squad in the final build-up to Sunday's crunch match.

"There has been a lot of things said, but we are professionals and we will keep our focus when it matters," the England skipper added.

"But there will be a lot of passion and we'll see it when we are out there."

The midfield star is determined to go for the win against France on Sunday, but accepted the fact that a draw might not be a bad result either.

"I want the win, were not looking for the draw. But if we get a draw, then the draw might be good," he said.

"The first game is very important. It doesn't come any bigger than against France.

"It's a massive challenge for the country. Hopefully, it will turn out perfect for us, but we know it's going to be a hard game. Our respect for the French team is very high.

"I'm very confident that we have a good chance (to win the tournament)."

Beckham is hoping to put in a good personal performance during the finals in Portugal and stressed that France star and Real Madrid team-mate Zinedine Zidane is not the only player they can afford to be concerned about on Sunday.

"I like to think I can have a big impact but it's not just a one-man team," said Beckham.

"It's not all about one man - all the players will be trying their best.

"We know he is a great player (Zidane), but we haven't singled him out because they have a lot of great players to contend with."

The England captain also gave praise to some of the other sides in the finals - notably hosts Portugal and their Group A opponents Spain.

"I think the Spanish team is a strong squad. They are another team that has a good chance in this competition," he said.

"The Portuguese team is very strong team, especially with the home fans behind them.

"I like Portugal as a country. The people are nice and the weather is also nice."

With fears that there may be trouble from England supporters during Euro 2004, Beckham made a simple plea to those following The Three Lions in Portugal.

"I don't need to say too much to the fans other than for to give us their support - Enjoy the football and enjoy the day," he said.

12:03 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Friday, June 11, 2004

SVEN'S QUIET MAN SPEAKS OUT

Oliver Holt Reports From Lisbon

IN A scoring slump, other footballers try to talk themselves up. They deny self-doubt. They pretend to scoff at the very idea of it.

Not Paul Scholes, though, because he is not like other footballers. Not on the pitch. Not off it.

Take his model for a perfect day as an example. This is it, word for word. "Train in the morning. Pick the kids up from school. Go home. Have a play with the kids. Have some tea. Put the kids to bed. Go back downstairs. Watch telly."

No shopping for designer clothes. No hunting for another diamond-studded watch. No parties. No agent. No fancy restaurants. No fast cars. No clubbing. No trouble. No problems.

Take, too, his response to a question about how he would like people to look back on him when he retires. "They can say what they want," Scholes said yesterday. "I don't care. I'm not really bothered. Just that I was a half-decent player."

Boring? I don't think so. Well adjusted? Most definitely. "I can have a normal life," Scholes said. "I go anywhere I want. I don't get any hassle when I go to Tesco's."

Because he's such an honest, straightforward bloke, it's less of a surprise to find out he's not in denial about it being more than three years since he scored for England. He knows it's a problem. He knows even though most experts still regard him as his country's polished gem, Sven Goran Eriksson desperately needs him to start scoring again if England are to have any chance of winning Euro 2004.

"Mr Eriksson has always spoken well of me and has never left me out," Scholes said. "I always knew he had confidence in me and hopefully I can start paying him back by scoring.

"People say I look as though I don't suffer from a lack of confidence, but when you've not scored for a while it plays on your mind. It happened at United a couple of years ago when I didn't score my first goal of the season until November.

"I should have scored against Iceland last Saturday but I blew it. Has it become a phobia? No, because I'm not scared of scoring. I still want to get into the box and score. I just need to finish it off.

"It's still important to have some encouraging words from a manager but deep down you know yourself that sooner or later you have got to start doing it. If you are a midfield goalscorer and haven't scored for three years, it worries you.

"I never thought I'd go this long without scoring and just have to hope it will change soon. You try to analyse why it happens but there isn't a way of explaining it.

"People say it doesn't matter if I'm not scoring because of other things I bring to the team, but I haven't scored many goals recently and I don't think I've made many either."

The law of averages says a player as brilliant as Scholes is a good bet to end his drought against France in the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

And he insisted he would feel even more comfortable in the problem position on the left of midfield than in the centre.

"As long as I'm playing, I don't care where," he said. "I've played a lot on the left for United. I enjoy playing there. It gives you a bit of extra freedom.

"You are guaranteed there will be two in the middle and it allows you to roam a bit and hopefully get in the box and score. I read it was supposed to be a position I hated, but that's far from the truth.

"It's possible this might be my last tournament. I hope it won't be but the way I'm playing at the moment, there's every chance. There is no point looking too far forward. Every tournament, we try and give it our best. We are talking about going all the way this time. This is the most confident squad I have been in and probably the best.

"We know we're up against some of the best players in the world in the France team. Zinedine Zidane is amazing. His touch, his passing, his creating goals. Everything he does on a football field is what you want to do. It's always nice to play against someone like him.

"I suppose the guy who's going to be my biggest obstacle is Patrick Vieira. He is going to be the best holding midfielder in the tournament. Basically, you try to stay away from him. You try to keep the ball away from him. If you try to go past him, his legs are so long. If you get tight to him, he is flicking it over your head and stuff."

When United's rivalry with Arsenal was raised again, Scholes smiled at the memory of his crunching tackle on Jose Antonio Reyes in the FA Cup semi-final.

"That was supposed to have put him out for three-and-a-half months," Scholes said. "Three-and-a-half minutes more like."

Asked why he had rejected so many sponsorship and money-making opportunities, he said he wished he had the chance.

"I don't think I have turned any money down really," he said. "Maybe in the early days, because I was shy. I'm just not good looking enough."

5:29 PM
t.r.a.c.y

No room at hotel for Posh

From NICK PARKER in Lisbon

VICTORIA Beckham tried to patch up a rift with other England wives by checking into their Euro 2004 hotel - only to be told it was full.

Posh panicked when The Sun revealed on Wednesday she had SNUBBED a room at the five-star complex and booked a private villa instead.

Fearing it made her look snooty, she asked for a suite for her and sons Brooklyn and Romeo at the fabulous Penha Longa golf and spa resort, near Lisbon.

But bosses told the 30-year-old former Spice Girl the final rooms had been taken by the entire Czech squad.

An England source said last night: "She had a change of heart but found there was no room at the inn - it's as simple as that.

"The hotel could not make space available, not even for the Beckhams."

The FA booked 23 rooms months ago so the wives could stay separately from the players, while enjoying luxuries like upmarket health and beauty treatments.

But picky Posh was worried about being the centre of attention and opted for the privacy of a secret villa.

A source close to the Beckhams said: "If she'd agreed to take what was offered in the first place this would never have happened."

Victoria is due to fly out to Portugal today, taking her parents with her to help look after Brooklyn, five, and Romeo, one.

Midfielder Becks, 29, jetted out on Monday with his team-mates and boss Sven Goran Eriksson. Sven has banned the players from seeing their wives and girlfriends until after Sunday's vital first match against France to avoid any distractions.

The 235pounds-a-night wives' hotel boasts TWO golf courses, its own health and beauty spa with a team of masseurs, a huge pool, a Japanese restaurant and a 5million country club.

Victoria has now CANCELLED her villa after our story. She hopes a vacancy will still turn up at the hotel, where wives will be pampered, taken shopping and mix with Czech stars like Liverpool's Milan Baros, 22, and Becks' ex Man United pal Karel Poborsky, 32.

5:11 PM
t.r.a.c.y

ZZ: We must stop Becks

By NEIL CUSTIS

ZINEDINE ZIDANE is out to wreck David Beckham's glory dream - and put an end to his own nightmare.

The French magician has had to conjure with images of his team's awful World Cup display for two years.

Now he wants to start the healing process in Euro 2004 - and that means beating his friend and Real Madrid team-mate.

France face England in Lisbon on Sunday and fired-up Zidane reckons he has the recipe to halt England skipper Becks.

The Gallic genius said: "I know from having played alongside him this season what a good player he is.

"He will pose a real danger to us. But knowing his game so well will help me to stop him - and we WILL need to stop him."

Midfielder ZZ, 31, added: "The fact I'll be playing against David will be very special for me.

"He's a good friend and a team-mate.

"And I know how important Sunday's game will be for him, particularly as he is the England captain.

"But it is very big for me, too - and I will be going out to beat him."

Yet Zidane admits that will not be easy. He is full of praise for Beckham as a player and insists the former Manchester United star could be the key to the Stadium of Light showdown.

Zidane explained: "David can do things that could change the game on Sunday.

"The midfield will be where this game is won or lost and he is obviously a key part of it.

"But the other dangerman for me is Paul Scholes - another excellent player. In fact the WHOLE England midfield is very strong, that is where they are strongest.

"It is a midfield which is fit and with a good spirit. It will be very, very difficult to control."

Two-time World Footballer of the Year Zidane has won every honour in the game, including the World Cup and European Championship for his country and European Cup for his club.

But he still has a sense of loss over France's 2002 World Cup defence in the Far East - when they crashed out at the first stage.

Zidane was injured for the first two games - which they lost to Senegal and Denmark - and returned for the draw with Uruguay. France failed to score in all three games.

Now he is determined the defence of their European Championship trophy will be a lot more successful.

He said: "The last World Cup was terrible for the team and the country but particularly terrible for me because I missed two games through injury.

"We came home with our heads bowed.

"That nightmare has been stuck in my mind ever since and only now do we have the chance to erase it. It's been driving me on for the last two years.

"We desperately need to win again - for the nation and for ourselves. This is our trophy and we're not going to give it up like we gave up the World Cup.

"The England game will be our hardest - no matter who else we meet in the competition.

"But anyone who wants to beat us will have to play at their very best.

"I'm pleased we are playing England first because we have had so much time to prepare for this game.

"If we played them second we would only have a few days. A draw will be good for us."

Former England wideman Steve McManaman fears Zidane could tear apart Sven Goran Erikkson's side.

The Manchester City star played alongside the Frenchman at the Bernabeu.

And he said: "You can say anybody is a great player - but until they've done it and been successful at the highest level, there will always be question marks.

"Zizou has been there and done it. Year after year.

"He scored goals in all the big games, like the World Cup final and the Champions League final and that's what it is all about in this day and age.

"Lots of players can do any kind of trick on the training ground but they will never incorporate it into a game. He can.

He is very agile for a big man, too - that's what makes him different."

Macca, 32, who won 37 caps, cannot see beyond France for the tournament.

He explained: "They are great to watch because I have always admired teams with skill and the ability to do things. They have that in abundance.

"They are close to being the perfect football team."

5:08 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Scholes: I'm a netcase

By STEVEN HOWARD

THE ball curled invitingly in behind a static Iceland defence.

Paul Scholes moved in for the kill.

Just six yards out, his right boot connected powerfully on the volley. The ball flashed goalwards and . . . whoosh! It disappeared harmlessly over the bar.

The Manchester United star took out his frustrations by kicking a great lump out of the net.

It is now three years and 27 internationals since he last put his name on the England scoresheet - in the 2-0 win against Greece in Athens on June 6, 2001.

Incredibly, he has scored 54 times for United in the same time.

So it was a badly-needed shot in the arm when national boss Sven Goran Eriksson spoke lavishly of his talent immediately after the game - and insisted no team of his would go into a tournament without Scholes.

Yet, as England prepared to take on France in Le Crunch on Sunday, Scholes spoke about his concerns over his goal drought - and how he desperately wanted to pay back Eriksson for his unstinting loyalty.

Scholes, 29, admitted: "To say I've had an indifferent time for England would be a massive understatement.

"But Sven has always given me great support. He's always spoken well about me and, more importantly, he's always had confidence in me and never left me out.

"What I have to do now is return that faith some time by scoring some goals.

"People have said to me before that I don't seem to suffer from a lack of confidence but you most certainly do when you haven't scored for as long as me.

"It definitely preys on your mind. It happened at United a couple of years ago when I just couldn't seem to get off the mark. In fact, that season I didn't score until November.

"So, yes, it does unsettle you - especially when you miss the sort of chance I missed against Iceland.

"At the same time, you still have to have a certain amount of confidence to get in the right position when things are going against you.

"So I'm not hiding. And I'm not scared. But I never thought I'd go three years without scoring for England."

The tournament has reunited Scholes with David Beckham, the boy he grew up alongside as part of Old Trafford's golden production-line of the early 90s.

Friends they may be - but they come from different ends of the social whirl.

While Becks graces the pages of Vanity Fair and mixes with the air-kissing, showbiz glitterati that surround his wife, Scholes can be found doing nothing more glamourous than shopping at the supermarket.

Yesterday he described his ideal day as: "Training in the morning, picking the two kids up from school, going home, playing with the kids, having my tea, putting the kids to bed and then watching some telly."

No million pound offers from Hello and OK, then. And that is just the way he wants it.

As he said: "I can go to the cinema, I can go to Tesco and I can go to the local shops.

"I can go anywhere I want. I live the quiet life, that's the way I like it. And that's the way it's always been.

"As for the commercial side, I've always had a boot deal and a few other football-related things but nothing else. I've never really gone after that sort of thing."

Then he joked: "Not because I'm shy - probably because I'm not good-looking enough . . ."

When it comes to self-publicity and self-advancement, Scholes is a mirror image of the great Frenchman Zinedine Zindane, a man equally keen to maintain a low profile.

Scholes said: "Zidane is probably the greatest player of them all but I know he's pretty quiet. You never hear too much about him."

Well, apart from on the field. And on that score, Scholes has nothing but admiration.

He said: "Zidane is amazing. Everything he does is what you want to do yourself."

Scholes will line up against France on the left side of midfield.

He said: "I quite enjoy it there. It gives you freedom you can't guarantee in the middle and it allows you to roam a bit and get in the box.

"As for our squad, it's the most confident I have ever been in.

"But time is running out for some of us when it comes to winning a major tournament."

And when it is all over, what does Scholes want to be remembered for?

Shrugging, he said: "I hope people think I was a half-decent player."

If he scores the winner on Sunday, England fans will hail him as the best player of all time. At the very least.

5:05 PM
t.r.a.c.y

French Gunners boast too much

From STEVEN HOWARD in Lisbon

PAUL SCHOLES last night told Euro 2004 favourites France: Do your talking on the pitch . . . not off it.

The bitter rivalry between Manchester United and Arsenal spilled into the international arena as Scholes rapped Robert Pires and his fellow Gunners.

Two days before England's clash with France, Scholes revealed: "The feeling at United is there is a bit of boastfulness about Arsenal's French contingent but maybe that is just the way they are, confident people who say what they think.

"I read that Pires reckons they are going to beat us 3-1. So they must be ultra-confident. Well, we'll see.

"Whatever is said before a game the only thing that matters is what happens out on the pitch.

"I have to admit that everyone at United takes more enjoyment about beating Arsenal than anyone else.

"There is an intense rivalry between us and, even though this is an international, there will be an element of that."

When told France's Highbury trio Pires, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, have had lots to say about Sunday's Group B clash, Scholes joked: "That's not like them!"

The Old Trafford midfielder insists England should adopt the tactics that halted Arsene Wenger's side in the FA Cup semi-final when Scholes' goal sealed United's 1-0 win.

Pires was intimidated to such an extent in that game that Wenger had to substitute him.

And the furious Gunners boss claimed striker Jose Antonio Reyes would miss the rest of the season after one Scholes challenge.

Scholes smiled: "Oh yes, Reyes was going to be out for three months . . . more like three minutes!

"Arsenal were on an unbeaten roll - and so are France. Like United, we have to stop their best players.

"We tried to get about Arsenal a bit and, yes, there were a few tackles.

"But we never single anyone out at United for special treatment and we didn't single out Pires for a kicking.

"In fact, Gary Neville never allowed him a kick - but then he never does."

4:54 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Neville plea to press on privacy

Phil Neville has appealed for David Beckham and the rest of the England squad to be left in privacy at their team hotel to prepare for the Euro 2004 finals.

Beckham was photographed on his hotel balcony, wearing only his underwear, while Neville - his former Manchester United team-mate - was also pictured in his shorts.

Although there are strict security measures around the Solplay Hotel in Lisbon, neighbouring apartment blocks still overlook the site.

Neville declared: 'I've not spoken to David about it really. The way that football is going now with the high-profile players, it's something that you probably can't do anything about.

'We've got tight security at our hotel and we're very private but people are still getting pictures so it's something that we've just got to get on with really.

'But the security measures are in place so I can't see it happening again. At least I hope it doesn't happen again. People should just respect the privacy of the squad.'

Neville was rather more optimistic about the behaviour of England fans, who are starting to arrive in Portugal in their thousands ahead of Sunday's opening game against France.

Reports suggest there could be as many as 35,000 England supporters inside the stadium in Lisbon, with many thousand more on holiday on the Algarve.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has already issued a plea for fans to behave themselves, rather than repeating the scenes which marred France '98 and the Euro 2000 finals.

With England on a final warning from UEFA after the ugly scenes at their qualifier against Turkey last year, the England coach is keen to ensure that trouble does not affect the team's chances of success.

However, with almost 2,500 banning orders now in place to prevent potential hooligans from leaving the UK this summer, Neville is confident that peace will be maintained in Portugal.

'Since Euro 2000, the Government and the security people have gone to great lengths to sort out that side of the game,' he insisted.

'Our fans behaved impeccably in Japan and Korea at the 2002 World Cup and you very rarely see any hooliganism at club level.

'So I think our fans will come out here and have a great time. It should be a great occasion and I'm not worried at all about trouble as the security measures are all in place.'

The Manchester United defender is instead concentrating on the start of the tournament this weekend as the squad finalise their preparations.

'The initial excitement of being over here and settling into our hotel has gone now,' he concluded.

'We couldn't be in better surroundings but everyone just can't wait to get the tournament started. Because we are playing France, it gives it that extra spice.'

12:17 AM
t.r.a.c.y

BREAKING NEWS

England get German ref

By SUN ONLINE REPORTER

NOT only will England have to contend with the might of France this Sunday - they will also have to put up with German officials.

Referee Markus Merk - who oversaw the 2003 Champions League final at Old Trafford - will take charge with Christian Schraer and Jan-Hendrik Salver running the lines in Lisbon.

The man in the middle could make the task of beating Thierry Henry and co even harder for Sven's men.

Lubos Michel of Slovakia will be the fourth official.

Italian referee Pierluigi Collina will take charge of the tournament opener between hosts Portugal and Greece on Saturday, while English official Mike Riley will oversee Sweden vs Bulgaria on Monday.

His assistants will be fellow Englishmen Philip Sharp and Glenn Turner, with Scotland's Stuart Dougal acting as fourth official.

12:11 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Becks is hold 'em balls

HUNKY David Beckham yesterday displayed nifty ball control on the balcony of his Euro 2004 hotel in Portugal.

The superfit England skipper, dubbed Goldenballs, rearranged his line-up in a pair of tiny pants before Sunday's big kick-off.

The stunning exclusive pics, which can be seen in today's Sun newspaper, show the dishy star looking supercool while sunning himself on the balcony of his Euro 2004 hotel in Portugal.

Tanned and toned Becks, 29, stripped to his briefs before strolling beside team-mate Gary Neville.

Fans were thrilled the England skipper looked in such good shape.

One onlooker said: "No one could believe it when Becks walked out. He certainly seems proud of his body - and ready to make his country proud too."

The Real Madrid midfielder trained with the squad before waving to fans and joking with 18-year-old striker Wayne Rooney.

He later signed autographs for local kids chanting his name.

12:08 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Waitresses off the menu for players

SEXY waitresses have been banned from serving England stars at their Euro 2004 hotel.

Portuguese beauties in skimpy uniforms have been told to steer clear of David Beckham and the rest of the squad during the soccer tournament.

Their places in the plush piano bar and restaurant have been taken by an all-male staff.

Cleaners and receptionists will be the only women on duty at Lisbon"s four-star Solplay Hotel.

Even they have been told to keep their distance from the lads, who will enjoy only occasional meetings with wives and girlfriends during their stay.

No specific request was made by the FA for the beauty ban - but coaching staff feared our lionhearts could be distracted in their bid for Euro glory.

They were also anxious what conclusions might be drawn if players befriended female staff.

A hotel insider said yesterday: "You used to see quite a few nice-looking young waitresses in the Solplay, but there are none there now."

Hotel bosses declined to comment on the no-girls policy last night.

England wives and girlfriends are staying at a nearby resort - with the exception of Victoria Beckham, who has rented a villa with her family.

12:06 AM
t.r.a.c.y

We'll play a lot bed-der

THE England squad have had mattresses flown out - because their hotel beds were lumpy.

They were ordered after players including Gary Neville complained to the team's sleep therapist Nick Littlehales.

Coach Sven Goran Eriksson blamed lack of sleep for previous poor team performances.

The new "memory mattresses" mould to the body and retain their shape each night.

A camp insider said: "These mattresses will guarantee the players get maximum rest before their crucial games."

12:06 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Wednesday, June 09, 2004

BECKHAM IS GREAT.. BUT I CAN STOP HIM

From John Cross In Lisbon

BIXENTE LIZARAZU last night insisted France do not fear David Beckham - because they know how to stop him.

Lizarazu will be the man in direct opposition to the England captain as they renew their long-standing rivalry in Sunday's Group B opener in Lisbon. The Bayern Munich left-back, now 34, admits that Beckham has "breathtaking" talent but believes he has figured out a way to tame him and nullify England.

Lizarazu, who will win his 94th cap this weekend, said: "I've played against Beckham before, that's true. I've played very often against Manchester United for Bayern at the time when he played in the position of a wide midfielder or winger.

"So I know this player. Because he is so familiar to me, I'm not scared to face him. I have studied his game and I will be prepared for him.

"I will use all of my experience to stop him and we know that we must do that because we know that he carries a very big threat for England and we have to stop him passing and crossing.

"Beckham is known as one of the best players in the world and he has made some fantastic performances for his country.

"He deserves respect from every opponent and you disregard him at your peril. He has played for Manchester United and Real Madrid which means he has to be a special player.

" He's not a player like Luis Figo who'll run at you but he's a player you have to prevent making his passes and crosses."

Beckham and Lizarazu have crossed swords many times in the Champions League - most famously in the 1999 European Cup final - and again this season after Beckham had joined Real Madrid.

Lizarazu is also set to move on this summer as he is available on a Bosman-style free transfer with Tottenham interested in him, especially as France manager Jacques Santini is quitting after Euro 2004 to take charge at White Hart Lane.

But Lizarazu is desperate for one last hurrah with France and it is clear he is relishing another clash with Beckham.

Lizarazu believes France are in strong shape to retain the European Championship and promises they are in great shape to beat England.

"We have had very good preparation and we go into the tournament in good spirits," said Lizarazu.

"We had a difficult final warm-up against Ukraine when we lacked a little bit of freshness because of all the hard work in training that we have put in.

"But the important part is that we came through it, we got the result to give us the victory before we left for Portugal and that is good for the team spirit and belief. They made it hard for us and played in a similar way to what we can expect from England in that it was physically tough and they are strong defensively.

"But that now means we will be fit and prepared for England and we still have a few days more in training to be ready for the match."

In fact, the only problem which France coach Santini now faces in the build-up to the England clash is a doubt over veteran captain Marcel Desailly's fitness as striker David Trezeguet yesterday insisted he has recovered from a sprained ankle.

But Desailly's knee injury is a lingering doubt which could mean Manchester United's Mikael Silvestre slots in alongside Lillian Thuram in central defence.

However, Chelsea defender Desailly yesterday maintained they will be strong enough without him even if he does not recover in time to face England.

"In defence, it doesn't matter if it is Thuram, Gallas, Boumsong or Silvestre," he said. "It is almost the same thing. It is like Coca-Cola or Pepsi!"

5:30 PM
t.r.a.c.y

THE attitude of some England players to the continuing medical melodramas of David Beckham stops short of outright hostility. Even disdain might be too strong.

But the predictability of the England captain's attention-seeking antics has led to a growing weariness among his team-mates that is chipping away at the respect they have for him.

Only Beckham could have left an international match at half-time to head to hospital for a scheduled minor procedure that duly upstaged a 6-1 win over Iceland.

Some of his team-mates now joke it's not enough for him to have a new haircut for every tournament, he needs an injury scare makeover, too.

His apparently compulsive desire to steal the limelight is accepted with bored resignation by more down-to-earth members of the squad who once held him in higher esteem.

And coupled with the dip in form that affected him for the second half of his first season with Real Madrid and has followed him through England's summer tournament, it has changed the dynamic within the team.

Since England began their build-up to this championship, it has become increasingly obvious the mantle of the leader of Sven Goran Eriksson's side has been passed from Beckham to Steven Gerrard.

Beckham is a good enough player and strong enough character to emerge from his current problems as forceful a performer as ever.

But for the moment, he and Gerrard are men travelling in opposite directions.

There is a sense that Gerrard is a player inspired as he strains to be let loose on the best the rest of Europe have to offer. He is a man pushing the boundaries of his own frightening talent.

If he has allowed trifling distractions to compromise him off the field in the past, he has erased those now. He has matured to the point where he is closing in on Patrick Vieira as the best central midfield player in the world.

Many of the bar room conversations taking place in Portugal this week have centred on how many England players would force their way into a combined Anglo-French side.

However many you choose, Gerrard gets in every time ahead of Claude Makelele. Opinion is more divided about Beckham. For his crossing ability, he should be an automatic choice on the right, but doubts have crept in.

Have the demands of living in the public gaze finally distorted his work-life balance so that he is beginning to lose sight of what is important? Because if Gerrard seems energised by the task ahead, there is a feeling that Beckham's own formidable energy has been dissipated by courting the spotlight too assiduously.

It is now openly conceded that Beckham was nowhere near fully fit for the 2002 World Cup in Japan, a fact many suspected and which was confirmed in sceptical minds when he jumped out of the tackle that led to Brazil's equaliser in the quarter-final.

This time, he is fully fit and yet while he remained the centre of attention in Japan to an obsessive degree, here in Portugal there is a vaguely disorientating sense that he is being marginalised, that he is no longer the heartbeat of the team.

He is still the captain, of course. Off the pitch, he still sets the tone. Owen Hargreaves revealed last week that it is Beckham who chooses the music the squad listen to before a match. In the last World Cup, he was consulted over the design of the suits the squad wore in Japan.

He is still the public face of the team and a fine ambassador for his country but even his unerring instinct for style has suffered a lapse of judgment. Observers of England's opening training session outside Lisbon yesterday noted that the new tattoo high up on the back of his neck makes him look more like a Nazi thug than a style icon. It's more Mike Tyson than Brad Pitt.

I still admire Beckham as a player and as a man. I still think he has, for the most part, dealt with his celebrity with remarkable calmness and good humour. He just needs to go back to basics a little, to relocate that balance between his private life and his career.

He needs to look at the way Gerrard is doing it and use him as a model. He needs to be big enough to seek guidance from someone else.

If he doesn't make an adjustment, if he doesn't curb the craving for the spotlight, he's heading for a fall. You know what? I can feel another sending-off coming on.

5:25 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Too Posh for England

By VICTORIA NEWTON
Showbiz Editor

PICKY Posh Spice hired her own luxury villa rather than join the rest of England's footballers' wives at a five-star hotel in Portugal.

Partners of the nation's soccer heroes will stay at the plush Penha Longa golf and spa resort just outside Lisbon as their other halves prepare for their crucial Euro 2004 battles.

There they will be able to treat themselves to a variety of upmarket health and beauty treatments.

But ex-Spice Girl Victoria, 30, has insisted she WON'T join them.

Instead the singer - who jets to Portugal on Friday - rented the villa so she and her two sons can stay in private while supporting 29-year-old skipper David's Euro campaign.

She is also planning to take her parents with her to help look after boys Brooklyn, five, and Romeo, one.

A source close to Posh said: "Victoria wants privacy in Portugal. She feels she'll be the centre of attention if she stays with all the other wives and girlfriends and hates the idea that everyone will be staring at her.

"It's like a big competition between all the women as to who can be the most glamorous - in fact, it isn't too different from the Footballers' Wives TV show.

"Victoria is obviously the ultimate Footballer’s Wife, but she doesn't want to be part of that bitchy scene.

"She doesn't really mix with all the other wives because she's so paranoid about security and about people gossiping about her and David.

"She wants to be there to support David through every game and she thinks staying in her own villa will make that easier."

David's family, including mum Sandra and sister Joanne, are also expected to fly to Portugal to watch Sunday's big kick-off against reigning Euro champs France.

Midfielder Becks jetted out on Monday with his team-mates and national boss Sven Goran Eriksson.

Wary Sven has banned the team from seeing their wives and girlfriends until AFTER Sunday's match to avoid any chance of distractions.

Tony Blair yesterday said he was hoping to keep his diary clear to watch England's Euro 2004 matches.

The PM said he was looking forward to "a great tournament", but declined to offer any tactical advice.

Mr Blair is due to return from the USA, where he is attending the G8 summit, in time for the France clash.

He said: "I'll make sure I don't have any meetings when the games are on if I can possibly help it."

But asked what midfield formation Sven should pick, he replied: "I think he is in a far better position to decide. He probably has enough on his plate without me adding to it."

5:21 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Tuesday, June 08, 2004

EURO 2004: THE LION KINGS

By Jeremy Armstrong

ENGLAND'S players took the hopes of the nation off to Portugal yesterday as they left for Euro 2004 - aboard a plane hastily renamed Three Lions.

Sven Goran Eriksson's squad had been due to leave on a British Airways jet christened Spirit of '66 in honour of Sir Alf Ramsey's World Cup winning team.

But football chiefs decided the title dwelled on past glories and the Airbus 320 left Luton airport bearing the words Three Lions in pride of place on its nose.

With the team dressed in Italian Armani suits alongside their Swedish manager, perhaps the Spirit of '66 wasn't the best choice of name for a plane in 2004 after all.

It was even left to Finnish co-pilot Illka Tahanainen to fly the flag of St George as the jet taxied past a crowd of well-wishers gathered at the airport to wave off the team.

Illka, 36, said later: "I may be Finnish but I was pleased to fly the flag for England."

Captain John McFadzean, 41, added: "I was busy flying the plane so could not fly the flag. I am from Scotland but it was a very proud day for me and our team.

"We wished the boys the best of luck for the tournament."

Before the players boarded for the two-and-a-half hour flight to Lisbon, captain David Beckham smiled, waved at fans and posed for last-minute photos.

Other stars, such as defender John Terry, looked relaxed as they strolled across the tarmac to the waiting jet.

The players and Sven posed for pictures on the steps of the plane. David James, Ian Walker and Joe Cole stood out more than most thanks to some "interesting" hairstyles and rather large sunspecs.

Supporter Frank Buchanan, 62, who watched their departure, said: "They have every chance of success. Why shouldn't they win the contest?"

On board the team was given supplies of mineral water and packs of playing cards to help pass the time.

Their inflight meal consisted of a Croque Monsieur sandwich, asparagus quiche and a traditional English tea of scones and strawberry jam, open cheese and salmon sandwiches. There was also a choice of champagne, beer, mineral water and soft drinks - though the players were warned to steer clear of the booze.

A support team of physios, masseurs, coaches and backroom staff made up the 40-strong party.

After the squad landed in Lisbon, the players ditched their suit jackets in the stifling Portuguese heat as they were taken by bus to their base.

The idea to give their jet a name came following the success of England's rugby World Cup winners who flew to Australia in a jumbo called Sweet Chariot.

A BA spokesman said: "Spirit of '66 was one suggestion, but it was later agreed between the Football Association and us that Three Lions was better.

"After the tremendous success of Sweet Chariot for the England rugby team, we wanted to give the footballers a special send-off."

As well as the squad, the first of the 50,000-strong army of fans also began heading for Portugal yesterday - amid the biggest security operation ever launched in Britain for a football tournament abroad.

A total of 2,253 people are subject to banning orders and another 500, allegedly involved in football related disorder, have been prevented from travelling because of bail conditions. At dawn yesterday at least another two suspected soccer yobs were arrested in Britain before being brought before the courts.

The Home Office said: "We want to be pro-active in our approach and not just wait for known hooligans to turn up at airports.

"We now have 24 hours to bring anyone arrested before a court and either get a banning order, or bail conditions preventing them from leaving the country."

7:13 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Lions roar away

By LUCY HAGAN

ENGLAND'S footie heroes jetted off for Euro 2004 yesterday - planning to wallop France.

Skipper David Beckham leads out his Three Lions aces against the European champs on Sunday.

And what better way to unsettle the French than give them a taste of football commentary genius - with a spot of poetic licence.

So Thierry Henry, Napoleon, Charles de Gaulle and Inspector Clouseau, prepare yourselves - because your boys will get "one hell of a beating".

Hysterical Norwegian commentator Bjørge Lillelien made the phrase famous in 1981 after his lads beat England 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier.

Unable to control himself, he ranted in English during his radio commentary: "Lord Nelson! Lord Beaverbrook! Sir Winston Churchill! Sir Anthony Eden! Clement Attlee! Henry Cooper! Lady Diana! Maggie Thatcher - can you hear me.

"Maggie Thatcher! Your boys took one hell of a beating! Your boys took one hell of a beating!"

You can hear the commentary by clicking on the link above right.

Cheering fans saw off Becks and his men as they flew out of Luton for Portugal yesterday.

And delighted crew posed for pictures - with one even draping the flag of St George from the cockpit of the British Airways jet. The plane itself was emblazoned with the words Three Lions.

Armani-suited Becks boarded with coach Sven Goran Eriksson and FA chief executive Mark Palios.

The team's Group B games will be held in the capital Lisbon and Coimbra, with the team based in Linda-a-Velha.

Sven, who once managed top Portuguese club Benfica, said: "I am very much looking forward to the tournament and returning to Portugal."

The Swedish boss has left nothing to chance - and has even taken a SLEEP coach out with the team.

Nick Littlehales will inspect the team hotel's air conditioning, lighting, bedding and even the density of their mattresses to make sure the players get proper rest.

2:30 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Monday, June 07, 2004

England confident over Becks & Terry

England fly out to Portugal later today where they will assess the fitness of captain David Beckham and key defender John Terry tomorrow.

The players return to training tomorrow following their 6-1 victory over Iceland at the weekend.

Beckham visited hospital on Saturday to have an injection in a cyst or `bursa' on his back.

England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson believes the Real Madrid star will be fit to resume training.

He said: 'I can guarantee you that it is no problem and they decided last Thursday he should have the injection because of a small inflammation in his back.

'It was better to do the injection after the game because he has to rest for two days and he will be ready to practise when we return.'

England have come to expect injury scares over their most talismanic player.

The build-up to the 2002 World Cup was marred by his metatarsal injury and Beckham also had a scan on an ankle problem last week.

Eriksson added: 'David did everything in 45 minutes and after that he had another session for 15 minutes. He went to the doctors but he is absolutely okay, believe me.'

Chelsea defender Terry has been troubled by a hamstring injury and Eriksson said: 'I hope he can practise on Tuesday and the doctors say he will be ready for France.'

7:23 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Sunday, June 06, 2004

BECKS HIT BY NEW SEX CLAIMS

Exclusive By Ben Todd Showbusiness Editor

DAVID Beckham enjoyed a romp in his bedroom with THREE stunning Spanish senoritas, his ex-bodyguard has claimed.

Delfin Fernandez, 43, said he saw Becks under the sheets with three beautiful girls on the bed around him.

Then Becks sent two away to concentrate on his favourite, a girl called Ana who stayed all night.

Fernandez says Becks - who yesterday captained England in the first half of their friendly match against Iceland - bedded the beauties after "cherrypicking" them during nights out in Madrid.

Speaking on Spanish TV late on Friday, Fernandez, who used to work for Cuba's president Fidel Castro and was hired when Beckham first moved to Madrid, said: "Basically, he'd pick a girl he liked the look of and send me over to talk to them. No one ever said: 'no'. Everyone went home happy."

The bodyguard, who was on-call 24 hours a day - says the romp happened after Becks met the three girls in a bar.

"He got to know three girlfriends in a place called the Buddha Bar. They'd gone on from there to a party at the home of one of David's friends.

"There was a lot of partying going on there and loads of people, and David was a little tired. He liked one of those three girls who was called Ana. But as the three were friends they all went back to David's hotel together and he was mucking around with them.

"I went in with coffee for them. He was in bed with the sheets over him and all three of them were on the bed with him, although they were fully dressed.

"He was with three girls - Ana, a Spanish girl called Maria and a Turkish girl called Dilek. One sat either side of him and a third sat on a corner of the bed.

"After a while Maria and Dilek came out. Ana stayed with David and didn't come out till morning."

Fernandez also says he knows that the claims of an affair by Becks' former PA Rebecca Loos's were completely true - and he named another two girls he says became conquests of the England captain. "There was another Rebecca. David met her at the birthday party of (team-mate) Michel Salgado. "She serves drinks at a nightclub. She's young, very pretty. After, there was another girl called Diana who he got to know at a disco called Bisu. Like Rebecca she was like David's wife - tall, dark, slim."

Astonishingly, Fernandez says there was a security system where HE and his team of Cuban bodyguards would start to undress David's bed-mates before they were allowed to be alone with him.

"None of the women were coerced in any way," he added. "They were told exactly what searches they had to go through before they could see David. They'd hand in shoes, belts. We'd take the shoulder straps off their dresses, anything that could be used to hurt David.

"I'd take the batteries off their mobiles and anything that could be used as recording equipment."

Fernandez says former PA Rebecca Loos DID have a relationship with her boss - and she knows far more than she has revealed so far. "Rebecca has not told a single lie," he said. "There's no doubt she's worth more now for what she's keeping quiet about than what she's said.

"If the Beckhams ever tried to sue her, I'd offer to be a witness for her."

The ex-minder says reports of Beckham cheating with Spanish supermodel Esther Canadas are ALSO true. On one occasion Becks had to be smuggled out of the back door of a party at team-mate Ronaldo's house after Press waiting outside were told he was alone in a bedroom there with Esther.

"About 3.30am they came down. The back exit out of Ronaldo's place is not a public road and with the help of Ronaldo's security he left in a car with me. Rebecca Loos left by the front entrance with another minder and she went back to David's hotel afterwards."

Fernandez says the Beckhams did not appear to have a loving relationship when he worked for them.

"In public they're affectionate. In private, in the six months I worked for them, I only ever saw David and Victoria kiss once."

In another behind-the-scenes insight into Britain's most famous couple, Delfin revealed how minders dubbed Beckham "Eagle" and Posh "Pigeon" to avoid conversations about them being picked up by outsiders. Rebecca Loos' nickname was "La Arana" meaning "The Spider".

Fernandez, who has been guarding Hollywood star Antonio Banderas in recent months, was speaking on chat show Donde Estas Corazon on Antena 3, the same programme Rebecca Loos went on to talk about her alleged affair with Becks. He is thought to have been paid more than £50,000 for the interview.

He also gave an insight into the way the Beckham PR machine handled bad news.

"Twenty-four hours after the pictures first came out of Rebecca and David together, Victoria flew in to Spain and an operation to organise pictures of them showing their affection for each other were arranged.

"First they went around Madrid on a 40 kilometre drive in an open-top car, with the paparazzi - who had been waiting outside the hotel - following.

"Then an outing was prepared in a square in Madrid. One of the English bodyguards came out of the hotel where David was staying and promised a British newspaper that he and Victoria were going to let themselves be photographed."

Delfin claimed he had decided to speak out because Beckham still owed him money. He said: "There was one point when we were owed three months' money.

"I spoke to David while we were waiting for Victoria to fly in last December and said we were considering going to court. His attitude was, 'Go ahead and sue me. I am God'."

Fernandez and his team signed confidentiality agreements but one friend says they were told by lawyers that the deal was invalid if Becks owed him money.

Yesterday, the Beckhams were not commenting on the new allegations.

9:51 PM
t.r.a.c.y

PAIN IN THE BECK!

Andy Dunn Reports From Manchester

DAVID BECKHAM went to hospital yesterday - just six days before the start of Euro 2004.

The England skipper helped his team to a 6-1 victory against Iceland in their send-off game, before heading for tests and and injection on a growth on his back.

Wayne Rooney scored twice in an England romp that lifts spirits for the opening match against France - a game dubbed Le Crunch.

The England captain was taken for an injection in his back to clear up a small cyst and an FA spokesman described it "as nothing to worry about."

Beckham has had the minor problem - the medical term for the growth is a bursa - for over a month but England's doctors decided to get it cleared up before travelling to the heat of Portugal.

Extremely warm temperatures can aggravate the problem.

And after consultation with England's medical team, Beckham dashed off after the first 45 minutes to have the needle.

By having the injection yesterday afternoon, Beckham has been told he will be able to resume training in Lisbon on Tuesday.

While the FA stressed there was absolutely no cause for concern about the matter, it is another hitch that Beckham could have done without.

He aggravated an ankle injury in Tuesday's draw with Japan and then revealed that it had been so sensitive that he had not trained for 10 days.

The England skipper has assured the nation that he is 100 per cent ready for Euro 2004 but this latest mini-drama only adds to the uncertainty surrounding the well-being of Beckham.

England coach Sven Goran Eriksson insisted last night that his skipper WILL be fit for the France showdown.

"We decided two days ago that David Beckham would have an injection straight after the game, but it is only a precaution," he said. "He will be fit for the France game. I can guarantee it."

9:50 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Friday, June 04, 2004

Beckham: We have great team spirit

David Beckham believes the close bond between the England players can help them triumph in Euro 2004 and admitted: 'It feels like being in a club side.'

The days of cliques in the England camp - with Manchester United and Liverpool players dining at separate tables - are now a distant memory judging by Beckham's assessment of team spirit and morale.

And he is confident the all-for-one, one-for-all approach harnessed to a fully-fit squad approaching its peak can ensure Sven-Goran Eriksson's side live up their own expectations and those of the nation in Portugal.

The England skipper said: 'We had a get-together on Wednesday, just the players, and it felt like being in a club side.

'By that I mean with the way the players are with each other. Everyone gets on. There are no problems at all.

'I have been playing for my country for several years and the atmosphere in the current England camp is, for me, the best we have ever had.

'I believe the atmosphere we have will help us a lot this summer and, with the players we have, the belief is very high because the expectation within the team is very high. We have to believe in our own abilities and the confidence is there.'

Beckham feels the time may be right for England to deliver the success fans have been craving since those golden days of the 1966 World Cup triumph and the semi-finals of Italia '90 and Euro '96.

And the Real Madrid star is optimistic a fully-fit and injury-free Steven Gerrard, who was forced to miss the 2002 World Cup in Japan, will make a massive difference to England's chances.

Beckham said: 'When we go into a competition like this, everyone expects us to win and rightly so because we have got a very talented team.

'On paper we should go out there and win things. That has not happened yet but everyone has got their expectations and the players have got very high ones.

'We should be going into the competition believing we can win it - and I believe that we can.'

Beckham added: 'We definitely have got more experience going into this tournament. The young players of a few years back have got a lot more of that now.

'We also went to Japan two years ago without Steven Gerrard and Gary Neville and they are two players that will definitely strengthen the team.

'Having players like Steven come in makes you a much better team. We did miss him in 2002. You saw against Japan, especially in the first half, his strength and power and running at players. He is one of the best around.'

Beckham's foot injury dominated the build-up to Japan where he was barely half-fit but he insisted concerns over his current slight ankle problem are unfounded.

He said: 'It is just a niggle that I have had for a few weeks. But in the last couple of days I have felt a lot better. It won't be a problem.'

10:56 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKS CALLS FOR SELF CONTROL - BY FANS

By Jeremy Armstrong

DAVID Beckham yesterday begged yobs not to wreck England's Euro 2004 hopes.

He hailed England fans as the world's best and said they could roar the side to triumph.

But the skipper, dogged by recent sex scandals, said they must control themselves.

Becks, 29, warned: "You'd hope that people had learned by now that hooliganism doesn't help the team or the country.

"When our fans travel, we travel in numbers.

"You don't get that from any other country. We've got the best fans in the world.

"If we can control that, the fans give us a great chance of winning." Some 2,700 England yobs are banned from going. But police fear others with clean records could spark clashes.

Yesterday Home Office minister Caroline Flint urged supporters to shop them. Speaking at the launch of a campaign to help Euro 2004 fans, she said: "If people are aware they're wanting to cause trouble, please share that information."

The Fans' Embassy, run by the Football Supporters' Federation, will advise followers during the Portugal showpiece.

Spokesman Kevin Miles vowed: "We're independent... we don't pass on information about individuals to police."

Meanwhile, John Pulling, 46, yesterday received a 30-month world soccer ban after writing a book on his exploits as an ex-Middlesbrough thug.

10:52 PM
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'Tired' stars out till 1am

ENGLAND'S shattered soccer stars went out partying until 1am - 24 hours after moaning they were too TIRED to play.

Boss Sven Goran Eriksson blamed tiredness for his team's lacklustre draw with Japan on Tuesday.

But the following night the squad enjoyed an evening at a trendy Manchester bar before finally returning to their hotel.

One fan raged: "They were awful in their last game and have a major championship coming up - yet their main concern appears to be clubbing into the early hours."

England host Iceland at the City of Manchester stadium tomorrow.

10:49 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

England's hair care bunch

By JOHN KAY
Chief Reporter

SOCCER chiefs sent lashings of hair-styling mousse to England's Euro 2004 HQ yesterday - even though half the squad have skinhead CROPS.

The goo was part of a 12-ton consignment of kit and goodies despatched to Portugal by FA officials.

As well as 24 bottles of mousse, the giant package also included plentiful supplies of shampoo and hair gel.

They were on a detailed list of essential requirements designed to give skipper David Beckham and his team-mates a head start in the tournament, which kicks off a week tomorrow.

But the delivery - using international express carrier DHL - sparked astonishment among some England followers.

One DHL insider said: "We were surprised by the number of hair products required - especially the amount of mousse.

"As David Beckham and quite a number of the other players have skinhead haircuts, there will be plenty of mousse to go round to those sporting full heads of hair.

"We just hope it inspires the boys to play even better and win Euro 2004."

Other squad members with short crops include strikers Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey and Michael Owen, defender Sol Campbell, goalie Paul Robinson and midfielder Joe Cole.

Of the rest, towering goalkeeper David James looks the prime candidate for hair care products.

He is famous for dyeing his curly mop and sporting a range of wacky styles.

The England shipment also included the players' Three Lions shirts, 272 pairs of match socks, a trampoline and 280 pillow cases.

On the food front, the FA sent rice pudding, custard and maple syrup.

Other treats included 12 boxes of chewing gum, 60 computer games and copious amounts of sun-blocker.

DHL is running Operation Sven II throughout England's involvement in the tournament.

The original Operation Sven took place in Japan for the 2002 World Cup.

Staff in the UK and Portugal will be on 24-hour standby to organise any urgent shipments like spare boots or food requested by the FA.

The firm has even offered to deliver Father's Day cards to the team from their families.

DHL's commercial director John Geddes said: "Given the importance of Euro 2004, this shipment is certainly a precious one. But we've had some good training with the FA over the years."

10:46 PM
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I'LL BE SIR ALEX'S SUCCESSOR

David Mcdonnell

CARLOS QUEIROZ says he is first in line to take over as Manchester United boss when Sir Alex Ferguson retires.

As exclusively revealed by Mirror Sport, Queiroz is returning to United as Fergie's No.2 this summer - just a year after leaving Old Trafford to become Real Madrid coach.

And the 51-year-old Portuguese coach, who will sign a three-year contract with United, explained the terms of the deal will leave him in pole position to succeed Fergie.

"It's practically a done deal with United," said Queiroz. "There are just some legal details to sort out and then it will be done.

"United's offer is not one to turn down. It's a long-term contract which puts me as favourite to become manager.

"But that is not the important thing right now. What interests me at the moment is the project and the ideas we have for United.

"My mission is to work alongside Alex with the intention of making United the strongest club in the world once again.

"I come back with the same functions and responsibilities I had the first time I was with United and I cannot wait to start work again."

Fergie, currently on holiday in the south of France, contacted Queiroz to offer him his old job back following his sacking from Real.

And sources at United revealed Fergie, who will start a one-year rolling contract at the end of next season, has recommended Queiroz to the Old Trafford board as his successor with Celtic boss Martin O'Neill (inset) also among the contenders.

Queiroz admitted his reputation was damaged by his year at Madrid, with a fourth-place finish in La Liga, failure in the Champions League and defeat in the Spanish Cup Final.

And Queiroz claimed he should ahead. "My biggest mistake was deciding not to leave when we were first in the league and still in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League," he said.

"If I had taken this decision, perhaps it would have helped Madrid to avoid finishing the season as it did.

"My time at Madrid was like ordering a car with air-conditioning and leather seats. But when it's delivered, you find out there are parts missing and it's not what you ordered."

Fergie - who hired former Everton boss Walter Smith for the last three months of the season - told Queiroz he would always be welcomed back at United, where he spent just one season. Queiroz helped Fergie guide United to the Premiership title of 2002-03 and their failures last season were in part attributed to the former coach's departure.

Fergie was reluctant to let his No.2 go, having credited him with revolutionising their training and approach to games.

But he realised he could not let Queiroz pass up the chance of moving to Madrid and coaching the nine-times European Cup winners.

Fergie conceded he made a mistake in not appointing a permanent successor to Queiroz and waiting until the season was virtually over before recruiting Smith. But Queiroz was keen to rejoin United following his sacking by Real.

"I learnt so much working alongside Alex," said Queiroz. "Working with him was one of the unique lessons in life.

"I became a different and better coach when I worked with Alex. He's a true leader, but also one who knows how to split responsibilities."

Fergie hopes to build on the return of Queiroz with the signing of Paris St Germain defender Gabriel Heinze.

United have upped their offer to 6.5million, which meets with PSG's asking price for the Argentine centre-back.

10:43 PM
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BECKS BACKS ROON

By John Cross

DAVID BECKHAM last night told Wayne Rooney not to curb his volatile temper - and insisted the Everton striker will control himself in Euro 2004.

Rooney, 18, nearly got sent off against Japan after lashing out following a fierce challenge and it once again raised fears about his temperament.

But Beckham, who had disciplinary problems early in his career, claimed that to try and calm him down would detract from his game.

Beckham said: "You have to remember that Wayne is 18-years-old and every now and again you will see aggression and passion and that's what people like about Wayne.

"He's not just a talent, he's very passionate. Obviously it needs to be controlled and I'm lucky enough that I've done that now, but there's no problem with Wayne as far as I'm concerned."

Beckham also told former club Manchester United they had made an astute appointment in bringing back Carlos Queiroz to the club after he was sacked by Real Madrid.

Beckham, who worked under Queiroz at both clubs, added: "He's a very good coach and I'm sure the players will be very happy."

10:40 PM
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ALL SYSTEMS GO

Martin Lipton

DAVID BECKHAM last night spelled out the England squad's faith in Sven Goran Eriksson's Euro 2004 master plan and promised the country it will be all right on the night.

The England skipper dismissed fears over the ankle "niggle" he aggravated against Japan on Tuesday by vowing his fitness will not dog the build-up to the quest for glory as it did in the Far East two years go.

But while the poverty of England's performance on Tuesday caused a shudder of concern, Becks insisted they will not fail the acid test against France.

And while the midfield diamond lost its sheen in midweek, Beckham gave a public vote of support for Frank Lampard as the last piece in the jigsaw.

Nerves

Beckham said: "The way we played against Japan was new and different for a few of us. It was Frank's first game for a while and there were nerves.

"But in that opening 35-minute spell when we felt we played really good football, Frank's passing and the way he played was very good.

"We know we have to get it right against France and we need to work on it."

Beckham's desire to talk up Lampard's contribution was further proof that the Chelsea man has won his battle with Nicky Butt to complete the midfield quartet.

And the Real Madrid man agreed it was vital that himself, Steve Gerrard and even Paul Scholes show the maturity to allow Lampard to do the things he does best.

Beckham added: "After the Japan game a few of the players were down but we picked ourselves up by looking at it as a good fitness test.

"A lot of us haven't played for a few weeks and we needed a fitness test. I know we'll be better against Iceland on Saturday.

"But something we spoke about was the need to share that defensive responsibility.

"Frank does get forward, scores goals and gets in good positions and when he does that the others have to fill in for him, whether that's me, Steven or Scholesy. That's what's got to happen. There must always be one or two players sitting." Beckham and his team-mates know that Eriksson will not lose his cool even when the heat starts to rise in Portugal next week, and certainly not under the grey skies of Manchester.

Italian fitness guru Ivan Carminati has spent the past 10 days putting Eriksson's players through intensive work-outs, culminating in yesterday's training session which was devoid of ball-work.

Beckham's "niggle", which saw him put an ice blanket around his right ankle after picking up a knock in midweek, healed sufficiently for him to join in the 15 laps of Manchester City's Carrington complex.

The captain joked: "The morning after the Japan game someone said 'You're out of the tournament, aren't you?' My ankle is not a concern. We don't want that situation again on the front pages like we had at the World Cup. We've done a lot of hard training and that's why we were tired against Japan. We trained on the day of the game, which would never happen normally. But if that's what the coaching staff think we need we have to do it to get the fitness levels right."

Despite Tuesday's hiccup, Becks believes Sven has given the players the mental strength to lead to glory.

"The manager brings calmness and gives the players confidence to go out in training and in matches," said the midfielder. "His man-management is second to none. He's not just good on the training pitch but around the hotel and for giving the players confidence he's amazing.

"We had a get-together with just the players on Wednesday and it felt like being in a club side. The atmosphere is the best I've had with England.

"We know France will be a tough match. We've not talked about dealing with certain players yet. But everyone knows that when you come up against players like Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry you have to talk about them.

"They're world-class. Zidane is one of the best, if not the best in the world.

"Playing with him at Real is a pleasure and I know that playing against him will be tough. We have to overcome them. It's finding a way of handling them and that's what we've got to do.

"But we've got the experience of the World Cup, and also Gary Neville and Steven Gerrard too. Having Steven in the team makes you a lot better. We missed him in the World Cup.

"You saw in the first half against Japan. Steve's strength and power, running at players. He's one of the best around and having him strengthens any team."

10:39 PM
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A crock of gold

By SHAUN CUSTIS

THERE is no need to start kissing pictures of the David Beckham ankle. He is going to be all right on the night.

The England skipper has reassured the country we will not be going down the will-he-play, won't-he-play route as happened before the 2002 World Cup finals.

Two years ago, Beckham had broken his toe and it was touch and go all the way to the Far East and throughout the tournament.

The Sun printed a picture of his foot and invited readers to kiss it to help heal him. It did the trick to some extent because it got Becks on the pitch. But he was never 100 per cent fit at any time.

This time round he insists an ankle injury, which has been troubling him for a couple of months, is no longer cause for concern. Mind you, he could see people were worried.

He awoke on Wednesday morning, having limped out of the disappointing 1-1 draw against Japan and sat on the bench with an ice pack, to be told he was going to miss Euro 2004!

Beckham laughed: "The morning after the game someone said to me 'I see you're out of the tournament aren't you?'.

"But I can say I'll be okay. We don't want a World Cup situation on the front pages again and I hope we won't be going on about my fitness all the time.

"The ankle is not a concern, it's just a bit of a niggle which I've had for the last few weeks.

"It has got much better after treatment and massages over the last couple of days and I don't think it's going to be a problem. It won't be."

Beckham made similar noises before the World Cup but this time he was a good deal more convincing.

He also took a full part with no ill effects in yesterday's gruelling work-out - a seven-mile run and no ball in sight - under Italian fitness trainer Ivan Carminati.

And he is convinced England are on the march towards glory, despite Tuesday's night's miserable effort. He said: "A lot of the players in this team get the sort of feeling this could be the one. I get it a lot.

"I got it in the World Cup but it didn't happen. We should be going into these competitions believing we can win it and I believe we can.

"It's going to take a lot of hard work and a bit of luck. I'd like to think we are a big-game team. The first game at the Euros against France doesn't come much bigger but we also have to make sure we win the other games as well.

"I believe this team can beat anyone. I have to believe that because, one, I'm England captain and, two, I believe in the players I'm playing with and their ability.

"So the belief is high, the expectation is very high and the confidence is very high - you just have to see the training sessions. Everyone has their right to an opinion, we all respect that. Sometimes players think it’s harsh criticism, sometimes not. That's the way it is.

"When we leave for the tournament and go into competitions like this, everyone expects us to win it or do something. That is the expectation of the country and rightly so.

"We have a very talented team and on paper we should go out there and win things but that hasn't happened yet.

"There were a few of the players who were down after the Japan game because of the way we played.

"But the way we picked ourselves up was by thinking it was a good fitness test for us, which is what we needed.

"We had a get-together with just the players yesterday and it felt like being in a club side. Everyone gets on so well with each other. There are no problems at all. The atmosphere in the camp is the best I've ever known."

It seems the FA's Press department has given the players a briefing and told them to memorise the phrase "for the first 35 minutes against Japan we played some of our best football in a long time."

Manager Sven Goran Eriksson used it after the game and the rest of the squad have adopted the party line.

Beckham was at it as well. And he said: "We were encouraged by the first 35 minutes and we didn't worry about the other bit."

But surely the "other bit", the remaining 55 minutes, is rather important?

England are putting their second-half problems down to tiredness and the fact they are working flat-out in training.

The benefits, we are told, will come next week when they ease off - though Beckham admitted the players are not fit enough yet.

He said: "We've done a lot. We had come back from Sardinia and worked hard over there and that's why we tired in the game.

"We also trained on the day of the match, which would never happen with other games and was probably the thing which affected the lads most.

"Obviously we do need it because our fitness levels weren't as high as they should have been.

"I think, against Iceland on Saturday, there will be an improvement in the fitness and the way we play. There needs to be."

There does. But it remains questionable whether Carminati's punishment regime is the answer.

8:40 AM
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Becks gets kick out of Roo

By MARK IRWIN

DAVID BECKHAM has urged Wayne Rooney to keep clobbering defenders - despite a call for calm from Sven Goran Eriksson.

England skipper Becks said: "It's the passion and aggression that people like about Wayne.

"He's not just a special talent, he is also very committed. And that is what you want to see in your team-mates."

Hot-headed Rooney was lucky to escape punishment when he lashed out at Japanese scorer Shinji Ono during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw in Manchester.

And worried England coach Eriksson immediately ordered his powerhouse striker to curb his temperament for Euro 2004.

But Becks has no problems with Rooney's belligerent approach, believing the Everton terror would not be half as dangerous if he toned down his act.

Beckham added: "Wayne is only 18 years old and, every now and again, you are going to see that sort of thing from him.

"Obviously, that aggression needs to be controlled - but as far as I'm concerned, there is absolutely no problem with Wayne."

Becks knows better than anyone about the price of petulance.

He became a national hate figure when he was sent off during the 1998 World Cup finals for kicking out at Argentina's Diego Simeone.

Now Rooney plays on the edge - last season alone he was booked TWELVE times for Everton and served two suspensions.

And Beckham, who has made a conscious effort to keep his fiery emotions under control, is only too willing to advise England's youngest player.

He added: "If Wayne felt it was a problem and wanted to talk, I'm sure he would."

8:35 AM
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Beckham: 'Ankle will not be a problem'

England captain David Beckham today moved to allay fears over his ankle injury by insisting 'it isn't going to be a problem' in the final countdown to Euro 2004.

With only 10 days until England's first game of the tournament against France in Lisbon, the Real Madrid midfielder returned to training today with his team-mates.

Beckham went off during the game against Japan on Tuesday as his right ankle, which had been infected after a cut, began to feel 'sensitive' again.

However, he said today: 'It's fine.

'The first thing someone said to me the other night was `aren't you out of the competition?'

'So far definitely people have been talking about my injury but there isn't one,' Beckham told Sky Sports News.

'There's been a niggle for a few weeks but it isn't going to be a problem.'

Beckham also moved to calm concern over England's lacklustre second-half display on Tuesday, and blamed tiredness for the disappointing 1-1 draw.

'People were raising a few eyebrows about how we played the other night, but for the first 35 minutes we played the best we have for quite a while.'

Beckham is also confident England are far more prepared for the European championships than the World Cup two years ago, when Gary Neville and Steven Gerrard were absent through injury and Michael Owen and himself were not fully fit.

'I think definitely we are stronger. We have got players like Steven Gerrard and Gary Neville in the team who we didn't have in the World Cup.

'We are a little bit more experienced - and we have got a lot of great young talent too.'

8:33 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Thursday, June 03, 2004

Beckham confident of flying start

David Beckham has fired a warning shot to France ahead of the opening Euro 2004 match on June 13.

Beckham says England have enough quality to get off to a flying start in the tournament.

He said: 'The championships are in the players' minds and the minds of the nation.

'The first game should be a great game as we are playing against one of the best teams in the world and some of the best players in the world.

'They don't just have Zinedine Zidane but also Thierry Henry, who has been incredible.

'We respect their team, we respect their players but we have a lot of great players.'

Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson yesterday officially submitted his 23-man squad for the tournament to UEFA.

As expected, the Swede made no changes to his provisional squad, meaning that there was no place for Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe.

The interesting aspect of the selection was the squad numbers, with Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard handed the number 11 shirt, perhaps indicating that he will fill the holding role ahead of Nicky Butt.

Lampard looks set to feature again at the base of the diamond in England's final warm-up match against Iceland at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday.

Eriksson is determined to stick with the diamond formation after employing it in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Japan.

Midfielders Steven Gerrard and Lampard were both asked to play in slightly different roles than they have become used to at club level.

Beckham said: 'It is a new system and Frank is new to it but we are all good players.

'Frank's had a great season and he will get used to it.'

Beckham believes they can take a lot out of the game against Japan.

'We were brilliant in the first 35 minutes but then we tired,' he said.

'We can take heart from that, although we are always looking to improve.

'It was a good work-out, a good fitness test and just what we needed.'

Goalkeeper David James is looking for another tough workout against Iceland.

He had to look lively when Japan tested him from distance.

'There was a bit of movement on the ball and that was good for me, even though it might not have looked like that at the time,' he said.

'I got a bit of practice dealing with long-range shooting and that is not something you get in training.

'Japan have had good results recently and beat the Czech Republic. We knew they were going to be a decent side.

'I didn't have a lot to do in the second half and am happy even though they scored.

'The majority of the game we used our preferred back four and there was good communication among us.'

England are back in training today and Beckham's fitness will be high on the Football Association medical team's agenda.

He was in some discomfort on Tuesday during the draw with Japan after aggravating an ankle problem.

Beckham needed an ice pack on the injury after tumbling to the ground.

Defenders Gary Neville (hip) and John Terry (muscle twinge) will also be assessed but are expected to be okay.

6:14 PM
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No shocks as Sven confirms his 23

Frank Lampard was given another vote of confidence in being handed the England number 11 shirt as Sven-Goran Eriksson confirmed no late changes to his Euro 2004 squad.

Eriksson made no alterations to his original 23-man provisional squad when he submitted the final names to UEFA ahead of today's midnight deadline.

That meant no place for stand-by striker Jermain Defoe, with Aston Villa's Darius Vassell having confirmed his fitness after a hamstring problem.

Vassell said: 'I have no problems now. I'm fine. The England staff have looked after me really well, they have been on top of the injury and I have trained well this week.'

Eriksson is also confident David Beckham, Gary Neville and John Terry will recover from knocks sustained in last night's 1-1 draw in a warm-up game against Japan.

Neville added: 'I'm fine, there's nothing to worry about. I just got a dead-leg on my hip and it was a sore one.

'It's the same for David, I wouldn't worry about that. We will both be okay and these things happen, but I don't think we've got anything serious.'

Eriksson has yet to decide whether to start with any or all of the trio in Saturday's final warm-up game against Iceland, although it appears likely that Lampard will get another chance to impress.

Having started against Japan in an unaccustomed holding midfield role, he was handed the number 11 shirt when the squad was announced today, with Nicky Butt instead given the number 17 shirt.

Indeed, the first XI would seem to indicate Eriksson's likely side to face France in Lisbon on June 13 in their opening group game - fitness permitting.

Goalkeepers: 1-David James (Manchester City), 13-Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur), 22-Ian Walker (Leicester City)

Defenders: 2-Gary Neville (Manchester United), 14-Phil Neville (Manchester United), 5-John Terry (Chelsea), 15-Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), 16-Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), 6-Sol Campbell (Arsenal), 3-Ashley Cole (Arsenal), 12-Wayne Bridge (Chelsea)

Midfielders: 7-David Beckham (Real Madrid, Spain), 17-Nicky Butt (Manchester United), 8-Paul Scholes (Manchester United), 4-Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), 18-Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich, Germany), 11-Frank Lampard (Chelsea), 19-Joe Cole (Chelsea), 20-Kieron Dyer (Newcastle United)

Forwards: 10-Michael Owen (Liverpool), 9-Wayne Rooney (Everton), 21-Emile Heskey (Birmingham City), 23-Darius Vassell (Aston Villa)

12:50 PM
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Camacho has ad enough

By STEVE BRENNER

DAVID BECKHAM has been told to cut down on his sponsorship deals or face the Real Madrid axe.

New Bernabeu boss Jose Camacho wants players to spend more time on the pitch and less time in front of cameras.

But within a day of the ultimatum being issued, Becks was unveiled as the new face of Gillette razors - his latest lucrative endorsement deal.

The England skipper, 29, already has huge contracts with Pepsi, adidas and Vodafone - and he is determined to land more commercial tie-ups in the United States, Japan and China.

But Camacho said: "I want more work and less advertising from players. This includes whether it is for the club's marketing or for personal brands.

"I have strict disciplinary terms and conditions for my players which I will want them to follow. These will include the amount of time and work they spend on advertising.

"I want them to reduce this so they can play more football.

"I want the players to scale down or exclude completely all advertising and marketing activities.

"A footballer is a footballer around the clock. He will have plenty of time to relax and enjoy himself when he retires."

Becks is ready for another season in La Liga after admitting he is desperate to reign in Spain.

And Camacho added: "I am not surprised David Beckham wants to stay with Real Madrid next season because I think it is the best club in the world for players to be.

"It was his own decision and I'm pleased about it. David Beckham is a very good footballer.

"I hear his family are moving to Spain but I don't know how much that will help him on the pitch because every family situation is different. I certainly hope it will help."

12:39 PM
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Wednesday, June 02, 2004

Ankle injury hampering Beckham

By Jeremy Butler

MANCHESTER (Reuters) - England captain David Beckham says his preparations for Euro 2004 are being affected by an ankle injury he picked up earlier this season.

The midfielder had stitches in a deep cut on his right ankle when playing for Real Madrid and the injury is still troubling Beckham -- forcing him to sit out training.

He managed to last 81 minutes of England's 1-1 international friendly draw against Japan on Tuesday before being replaced, but immediately placed an ice-pack on the injury.

"My ankle was sore. I had some stitches in it while playing for Real Madrid a while a go and it got infected," he told reporters.

"I got another knock in the same place towards the end of the season and it's feeling sensitive again.

"I haven't trained for the last 10 days but I don't think it's too serious.

Beckham is anxious to go to the European championship in Portugal, which starts on June 12, fully fit after a broken bone in his foot hampered his build-up to the 2002 World Cup.

He said England's dip in form after a promising opening against Japan was due to their recent training regimes.

"The first 35 minutes was great and our energy levels were high but the fitness dipped," he said.

"We all said at halftime that we felt tired and that was down to the training we have been doing. Our history in friendlies isn't the best and we proved that again tonight."

3:16 PM
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Julia Roberts pregnant with twins

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oscar-winner Julia Roberts is pregnant with twins and is due to give birth early next year, her spokeswoman says.

Roberts, 36, who won an Academy Award in 2001 for best actress in "Erin Brockovich," is married to cameraman Daniel Moder, 35. They wed in July 2002 and have homes in Taos, New Mexico, Venice, California and New York.

People magazine reported Roberts' pregnancy on its Web site on Monday night and spokeswoman Marcy Engelman confirmed the details on Tuesday.

Engelman said twins run in Roberts' family. Her great grandmother and a pair of cousins are twins.

Next week, Roberts will travel to Italy to begin filming "Ocean's 12," the sequel to "Ocean's 11" released in 2000, People magazine reported. Her co-stars include George Clooney, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt.

3:04 PM
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