Scolari issues reality check

Call for calm
Scolari's call for calm came during today's press briefing when he held an open conversation with the assembled journalists. The Brazilian coach said he hoped "people would be calm, because we have still not won the final. I love to see the people out on in the streets, but we are still a game away from returning to the Estádio da Luz."

Semi-final in Lisbon
If the goal is the final on 4 July, Scolari knows only too well that Wednesday's semi-final in the other Lisbon stadium, the Estádio José Alvalade, will be a test to match the tense victories over England and Spain which have carried Portugal this far.

Difficult match
Scolari's assistant coaches, Agostinho Oliveira and Murtosa, will be at the Estádio Algarve for tonight's match against Sweden and the Netherlands to assess their next opponents. Asked which of the two teams he would rather face, Scolari replied: "Both teams have quality and I'm sure that it will be a very difficult match."

No comment
In response to a question about his future, Scolari - whose contract with the Portuguese Football Federation expires the day after the final - said his "only concern is the next match" but he did talk about his captain Luís Figo.

Figo's absence
The Real Madrid CF player stormed down the tunnel following his 75th-minute substitution and did not reappear for penalty shoot-out, nor the celebrations which followed. Scolari said he wanted to "end the confusion over Figo's absence on the pitch after the penalties" and added: "He isn't very expansive and enjoys to keep his emotions to himself, but I know that he was praying in the dressing room and suffering with his team-mates."

Scrutiny
The Brazilian's relationship with Figo had already received much scrutiny but Scolari said: "Figo always was an idol for me, first as a player, and now, since I know him personally, as a human being too."