WARSAW, June 23: Portugal stand on the threshold of making it to their first major final since their only one to date — Euro 2004 — with “just” France or Spain standing in their way at Euro 2012 after the Seleccao made it to the semi-finals.

And to a large degree they are harking back to an era opened up by Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning coach Felipe Scolari, who between 2003 and 2008 turned an often under-achieving side blessed with manifold talents into a side which was able to compete with the best — even if silverware proved elusive.

“I am supporting them, of course,” said ‘Big Phil’.

With experienced stars such as Luis Figo and Nuno Gomes on board and Cristiano Ronaldo blossoming after making his debut in 2003 Scolari looked as if he would oversee a first ever major trophy win in 2004 but the Portuguese fell to party-poopers Greece in the final in Lisbon.

Even so, looking at the side today, Scolari feels there are parallels and sees the current squad and coach Paulo Bento having built on his legacy in that “team work is what makes Portugal strong.”

Now Scolari believes that with Ronaldo having matured into one of the world’s greatest talents they can go all the way.

“He is a great person and a friend, he likes to joke — but he is a great professional,” insisted the Brazilian. “We can’t expect Ronaldo to do it all on his own - nobody wins a match that way.”—AFP