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Semedo shares Olympic ambition

Having not missed a minute of Portugal's finals campaign, their centre-back Semedo has a special motivation for wanting to beat Italy on Thursday night.

Having not missed a minute of Portugal's campaign at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, centre-back Semedo has a special motivation for wanting to beat Italy in Nijmegen on Thursday evening to earn a place in next year's Olympic Games.

Athletic ambitions
Of Portugal's 23-man squad at these finals, 17 will still be eligible to play in Beijing in 2008, although the likes of Nani or João Moutinho would undoubtedly have their eyes on UEFA EURO 2008™ in preference to a place in the Olympic squad. For Sporting Clube de Portugal centre-back Semedo, however, there is no such dilemma in prospect - he would be more than happy with a ticket to China. "Right now, the Olympic Games is the only thing in my mind," he said. "It would be a great achievement - every athlete dreams of being there."

'Huge potential'
Standing between the 22-year-old and the fulfilment of that ambition is an Italy side who have gradually improved as these finals have worn on, opening with a defeat against Serbia but battling back from two goals down to draw with England before brushing aside the Czech Republic 3-1 on Sunday. That four-point haul was only enough for third place in Group B, but having spent last season on loan at Cagliari Calcio Semedo knows how strong Italy's players are. He said: "I know all Italy's players. I particularly remember [Giampaolo] Pazzini and [Giuseppe] Rossi - they have huge technical potential." One of Semedo's team-mates at Cagliari, Michele Canini, is in the Italy squad, but the Portuguese defender believes their next confrontation leaves no room for friendship: "We haven't spoken yet, but we will greet each other on the pitch."

Injury boosts
Portugal have come south for the play-off, taking over the hotel and training ground previously occupied by the Czech Republic. Despite the disappointment of losing out on a place in the semi-finals to the Netherlands and Belgium in Group A, Portugal have settled swiftly at their new training ground in Groesbeek, with Tuesday's session marked by bursts of laughter. The good mood has no doubt been bolstered by good news from the infirmary as a number of players who had been carrying minor injuries – including Ricardo Vaz Té, Nani and Manuel Da Costa – are likely to be fit to face Italy despite missing training on Monday. The suspended Hugo Almeida should therefore be Portugal's only absentee.

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