Portugal

New Delhi: Portugal, widely regarded as the Brazil of Europe, will be travelling to Germany only for the their fourth FIFA World Cup finals.

The Selecção das Quinas had no problems during their qualification campaign with striker Pauleta played a major role in booking the tickets for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals.

He scored 11 times in the qualifiers, the most by any player from Europe and also overtook the legendary Eusebio’s record of 41 goals for his country.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's team won nine of their 12 matches finishing seven points clear of their closest rivals Slovakia.

Portuguese fans will be expecting their side to atleast match the performance of the 1966 team that had Eusebio in its ranks.

Luis Figo and Rui Costa led the golden generation of players and in 2000 Portugal were UEFA European Championship semi-finalists.

But Korea/Japan 2002 was a big disappontment as they went home after the group stage.

Brazil's FIFA World Cup-winning coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, took over the reins and led the Seleção to the final of the 2004 European Championship on home soil.

Figo is back after withdrawing from international football in July 2004, but the player whom every body is watching is Cristiano Ronaldo.

Opponets must also be wary of Deco and Ricardo Carvalho while Pauleta's goal scoring spree during the qualifiers have made him one of the most marked strikers.