Quaresma gets Portugal nod

FC Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma has been included in Portugal's squad for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Coach Agostinho Oliveira has announced a 22-man party for the tournament, which starts on 23 May with Portugal as hosts.

'Great asset'
Quaresma has been brought into the Under-21 setup as his chances of making Luiz Felipe Scolari's senior squad for the FIFA World Cup are rated as very slim. However, Valencia CF midfielder Hugo Viana appears World Cup-bound after being left out by Oliveira. "Ricardo Quaresma is a great asset for our team and I am counting on him to create and score goals. I expect the whole squad to be motivated and ready to play, as we have to play three matches in five days," said Oliveira.

Portugal squad
Goalkeepers: Bruno Vale (FC Porto), Daniel Fernandes (PAOK FC), Paulo Ribeiro (FC Porto).

Defenders: Rolando (CF Os Belenenses), José Castro (A. Académica de Coimbra), Semedo (CD Feirense), Pedro Ribeiro (FC Porto), Nélson (SL Benfica), Nuno Morais (CS Marítimo).

Midfielders: Diogo Valente (Boavista FC), Bruno Amaro (FC Penafiel), Raul Meireles (FC Porto), Custódio (Sporting Clube de Portugal), João Moutinho (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Manuel Fernandes (SL Benfica), Nani (Sporting Clube de Portugal).

Forwards: Ricardo Vaz Té (Bolton Wanderers FC), Hugo Almeida (FC Porto), Ricardo Quaresma (FC Porto), Varela (Vitória FC), Lourenço (UD Leiria), Filipe Oliveira (CS Marítimo).