WELCOME to the continuing ”ª#‎JoySports”¬ buildup ahead of UEFA EURO 2016, which kicks off on June 10 in France. The series started on May 10, and lasts until kickoff. Get ready for blasts from past Euro tournaments! Our coverage is brought to you by Pepsi.

Portugal became the first European Championship host nation since France in 1984 to qualify for the final after a headed goal by Ronaldo and Maniche's stunning strike saw off the challenge of the Netherlands, despite Jorge Andrade's own goal.

Yep, this was the tournament when Cristiano revealed himself to the world. And all the signs of his uber-confidence, or uber-arrogance, if you are into that sort of thing, were there.

He was not the only young 'un catching the eye, for there were Arjen Robben and Wayne Rooney among the picks. The Netherlands flyer, who was then with Chelsea, provided plenty of highlights as his pace, teasing crosses and leg work shocked defenses.

However, Cristiano was just a bit different. 

Coming into this tournament, he had played for all Lisbon's youth teams - in fact in the year of his 16th birthday, Cristiano had played for Sporting Lisbon’s under-16, under-17, under-18, reserve and first teams. And it was common knowledge that he could not be kept in Portugal much longer. He was good, good enough for Luiz Felipe Scolari to make the 19-year old the youngest player to feature in a Euros final.

But before that game, there was the semi. Here's how Portugal started:

(4-5-1): 1-Ricardo; 13-Miguel, 16-Ricardo Carvalho, 4-Jorge Andrade, 14-Nuno Valente; 6-Costinha, 18-Maniche, 20-Deco, 7-Luis Figo, 17-Cristiano Ronaldo; 9-Pauleta.

The Netherlands fielded their 20-year old Robben (pictured below) too, whose pace rivaled Cristiano's down the wings. Speaking of speed, Marc Overmars came into the Dutch side in place of Andy van der Meyde on the wing. Wilfred Bouma replaced the sturdy, but injured on this occasion, Frank de Boer at centre-back.

Netherlands (4-3-3): 1-Edwin van der Sar; 2-Michael Reiziger, 4-Wilfred Bouma, 3-Jaap Stam, 5-Giovanni van Bronckhorst; 20-Clarence Seedorf, 8-Edgar Davids, 6-Philip Cocu; 16-Marc Overmars, 10-Ruud van Nistelrooy, 19-Arjen Robben

HOST AND WIN

Portugal was the host, and the Stadium was packed. Seleção had not lost at home in seventeen years, whether at the Alvalade or in the Estadio da Luz. They were the host nation – something which was a deciding factor for Spain in ’64, Italy in ’68 and France in ’84.

With Pauleta restored to the attack in place of Nuno Gomes, Portugal fielded the team that started their final group match against Spain at the same stadium. 

THE GAME

With the Netherlands' forward momentum foundering on the edge of the penalty area and Ruud van Nistelrooy isolated in attack, Portugal captain Figo provided the game's first telling cross after ten minutes. His teasing ball eluded Edwin van der Sar but was just too quick for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Not long after the two captains, Figo and Phillip Cocu, went head to head, with Figo stealing a metre on Cocu before squaring the ball for Pauleta, but Bouma's outstretched leg averted the danger.

However, on 26 minutes, Portugal took the lead as Ronaldo headed in Deco's inswinging corner. It was no more than they deserved. And check out his posture after he scored. The man's appreciaiton of his body has not changed in 13 years! 

The Netherlands responded through a typically driving run by Edgar Davids, whose cross was headed partially clear by Ricardo Carvalho. The ball fell invitingly for Overmars but his volley flew well over, and soon after that Clarence Seedorf was close to connecting with another Davids cross.

At the other end Deco combined on the right with Maniche, whose low cross found Pauleta but Van der Sar was able to parry the striker's close-range shot. Van Nistelrooy then had the ball in the net, only for the raised offside flag to curtail celebrations.

Figo, having his best game of the tournament, then found himself with only Giovanni van Bronckhorst to beat. He stepped inside the full-back before curling a sublime left-foot shot against the far post as the game headed breathlessly for half-time.

Oranje coach Dick Advocaat withdrew Overmars at the break in favour of striker Roy Makaay, and another attack-minded player, Rafael van der Vaart, was added in place of Bouma soon afterwards. By then Portugal should have been two goals up, Pauleta shooting straight at Van der Sar when clean through following goalkeeper Ricardo's long clearance.

The home crowd did not have much longer to wait. On 58 minutes Maniche nearly raised the roof with a stupendous angled drive from the corner of the area that flew into the top corner with Van der Sar, like the rest of us, a startled spectator.

Definitely goal of the tournament.

But just as the party was starting, disaster struck for Portugal. After Seedorf had fired narrowly wide, Andrade diverted a Van Bronckhorst cross over Ricardo and into his own goal to give the visitors unexpected hope. A minute later Makaay was centimetres away from heading in Seedorf's free-kick.

Ronaldo gave way to defensive midfield player Petit and Nuno Gomes replaced Pauleta as Portugal looked to consolidate. Maniche, set up by Nuno Gomes, might have increased the lead but his shot was blocked while Deco was denied a third in the final moments. By now, though, time was already on their side and Lisbon was getting ready for another night to remember.

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READ ALSO:

Euro '88: Van Basten's injury to glorious superstardom story
When Denmark stunned the world to win Euro 1992 
When Zidane led France to edge Figo's Portugal at Euro 2000 
When Germany broke English hearts at Euro '96
When Bierhoff checked Czechs at Euro '96

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