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This is an archive article published on June 10, 2004

After Beckham’s shave, Totti’s the new hair favourite

With David Beckham having gone for the shaven look, Italy’s Francesco Totti is grabbing the new hairstyle headlines. Totti touched down...

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With David Beckham having gone for the shaven look, Italy’s Francesco Totti is grabbing the new hairstyle headlines. Totti touched down in Portugal with braids hanging down the back of his head, tied together with a blue, Italy- coloured, band.

Reports out of Italy suggest that the player’s girlfriend, TV showgirl Ilary Blasi, took care of the braiding before her beloved ‘Franco’ left Rome.

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni said his star player’s new look was ‘‘very nice’’, adding, ‘‘I would do the same myself but I don’t have enough hair.’’

Semi finals or bust for England

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England’s 1966 World Cup hero Geoff Hurst and current England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson are thinking along the same lines about expectations for Euro 2004. Eriksson said last week that England had to reach the semifinals for the tournament to be considered a success. Hurst said it again this week.

‘‘We did magnificently to reach the quarterfinals of the last World Cup, but it is important that we build on that. So if we don’t reach the semifinals i would see it as a failure,’’ Hurst said.

Slogans and songs

Each of the 16 nations taking part in Euro 2004 has chosen a slogan to be pasted on its team bus. Italy rides with ‘Passione Azzurra’ — ‘Blue Passion’.

A fan won a competition for the slogan on the England bus: ‘Follow the roaring lions, the pride of England’.

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The official song for Euro 2004 is Nelly Furtado’s ‘Forca’, taken from her November, 2003 album. Composed and sung by Furtado, it is inspired by the passion that the ‘‘Portuguese people have for football’’.

Travelling trophy

The European Championship Cup ended a two-month tour through Portugal yesterday, arriving in Porto for the opening game of Euro 2004. The Henri Delaunay Trophy passed through 26 cities in Portugal where fans were eager to admire the Cup, which will be handed over to the victorious captain on July 4.

‘‘The reception of the people was most warm. And in some cities, I remember people didn’t want the exhibition to be shut at the end of the day. It was crazy,’’ said Oscar Soarez, who organised the tour.

Seedorf, Terry will have to sit out

Here’s an update of the status of injuries to some of the major stars at the tournament:

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Clarence Seedorf (Holland): Seems certain to miss the opening Euro 2004 match against Germany. He suffered a hamstring problem during Saturday’s 1-0 loss at home to Ireland. Coach Dick Advocaat said, ‘‘I will have to miss him for at least a week.’’

John Terry (England): In doubt for the game against France, adding to England’s problems in the centre of defence which is already depleted because of Rio Ferdinand’s suspension. Terry suffered a hamstring injury against Japan a week back and hasn’t practiced since.

France’s David Trezeguet (ankle), Portugal’s Luis Figo (leg muscle) and England’s David Beckham (ankle) all appear to have recovered from their respective injuries. — (Agencies)

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