LISBON, June 29: Fear of further semifinal failure is all that stands in the way of a classic when slick-passing Portugal meet a fast improving Netherlands side on Wednesday with a place in the Euro 2004 final at stake.

The Dutch have settled on their best team, led by Arjen Robben and Ruud van Nistelrooy in a classy forward partnership, and feel a repeat of their 1988 European Championship win is on the cards.

Portugal, inspired by the artistry of Deco and bolstered by the defensive partnership of Jorge Andrade and Ricardo Carvalho, have quality running through their side and the benefit of passionate home support.

Wednesday's game at the Jose Alvalade stadium will be as much a test of nerve as a trial of skill, though, as the two beaten semifinalists from the last European Championship bid to avoid a similar fate.

This will be a fifth semifinal for the Dutch and they have won just one, when they went on to take the title in 1988. Portugal have lost both their previous semifinals and they are well aware that the hosts have gone out at the semifinal stage in the last four championships.

Those factors, coupled with the blazing heat in Lisbon, could lead to an over-cautious approach and there is a distinct air of tension in the Portuguese camp, perhaps primed by the enormous expectations of the country's 10 million people.

"I believe we'll go on to reach the final because I think we are a better side," Deco told reporters. The Portuguese do have some history on their side, with the Dutch having won only one of their eight previous meetings.

Pauleta is available again after suspension but Nuno Gomes is likely to continue up front in an unchanged team. Deco, Carvalho and defensive midfielder Costinha are just a yellow card away from missing the final if they do make it after being booked in the quarter-final win over England.

Dutch coach Dick Advocaat will be forced to make at least one change, with centre-back and captain Frank de Boer out after suffering an ankle injury in the penalty shoot-out win over Sweden in the quarterfinals.

Wilfred Bouma is the logical choice to partner Jaap Stam while Andy van der Meyde's poor performance could see him replaced by Marc Overmars. Johnny Heitinga, another option in defence, believes Luis Figo remains the main threat to Dutch hopes, even if his recent form has not been spectacular.

"Figo is an excellent player and he still has the ability to decide a match in one moment," Heitinga said. Van der Meyde and substitute striker Roy Makaay have yellow cards and are in danger of missing the final through suspension.

The final is on July 4 and will feature the winners of Thursday's semifinal between Greece and the Czech Republic.

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