Scolari is wedded to the cause

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, seen here, promised he would extend his relationship with the team through to the 2006 World Cup after taking his charges through to the nation's first ever major final with a 2-1 success over the Netherlands in their Euro 2004 semi-final

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari promised he would extend his relationship with the team through to the 2006 World Cup after taking his charges through to the nation's first ever major final with a 2-1 success over the Netherlands in their Euro 2004 semi-final.

Scolari's position has been up for discussion with his current contract due to expire this summer but he said that he and the Portuguese Football Federation wanted to continue their work together.

"We have reached agreement and we are going to be married for another two years," said a jocular Scolari, pointing to his wedding ring and saying he and the Portuguese Football Federation had signed and sealed the issue.

Scolari rated the win over the Dutch to break Portugal's 40-year semi-final hoodoo of two lost Euro semis in 1984 and 2000 and another one at the 1966 World Cup as a bigger achievement than his 2002 World Cup success at the helm with Brazil.

And June 30 holds great significance for the man they call 'Big Phil'.

"It must be a special day for me. I won the World Cup with Brazil two years ago to the day. And some of Portugal's players, such as Figo and Rui Costa, won the World Youth Cup here in Lisbon on June 30, 1991," he said.

Asked how reaching the trophy match compared to that success in Asia two summers ago Scolari said: "It is different, as with Brazil I was world champion.

"But they had already won it four times. For my CV I think this is more important as Portugal had never reached a final."

Scolari described the win achieved with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Maniche as a moment to savour for the whole nation.

"I want to congratulate the team. Two years ago to the day I won the World Cup with Brazil so this is a magic date for me."

Scolari also revealed the result had laid a personal ghost to rest.

"It is a special pleasure to beat Holland as in 1995 I lost the Toyota (Intercontinental) Cup with Gremio against Ajax and some of the players in their side were playing for Holland today.

"Tonight, we had opportunities to score but I think my team had to suffer a little bit. We could have killed the match off a bit sooner.

"I didn't think it was easier or more difficult than I expected. But I thought the team that had more spirit would win and I think we had more spirit."

Asked if Portugal would prefer to play the Czechs or the Greeks in Sunday's final Scolari laughed and said: "I prefer that neither would be there and that we could win without playing!"

Scolari also thanked the fans for getting behind the side following the shock opening loss to Greece.

"I want to say how important it is all the warmth that the Portuguese people have shown to this team."

Scolari is bidding to become the only man in the history of the game to coach teams to World Cup and European Championship glory.