Portuguese trash changing room

Having completed an amazing turnaround in their play-off match against France which took them through to the Euro 2004 Under-21 finals, the Portuguese celebrated by trashing their changing room.

"I have to condemn what happened at the end of the match, the excessive behaviour committed by our youngsters and tell them we have to know how to win," Portugal's sports minister Herminio Loureiro said.

"It is a sad episode, but we also have to highlight the dedication and determination of our athletes, who overcame a difficult obstacle in France."

Portugal travelled to France trailing 2-1 after the first leg and won by the same scoreline to take the match in to extra time and then penalties, which they won 4-1.

Coach Joao Romao said the damage to the roof of the changing room was caused mostly by his players throwing him in the air to celebrate their qualification.

The Portuguese Football Federation promptly offered to pay for the damage done but it was not enough to appease defeated French coach Raymond Domenech who described the Portuguese as 'savages'.

"Do they still think they are in the era of the conquests?" he asked reporters.