How times flies. It only seems like yesterday that Baddiel, Skinner, Shearer and David Seaman - pre-ponytail and diving around like a Porto midfielder - raised the hopes of a nation in Euro '96.

Arguably, Portugal 2004 could provide England with their best chance of winning a major competition since Gareth Southgate played passing and saving with the German goalkeeper on that balmy Wembley evening.

Although no English players from Southampton, Portsmouth or Winchester City have been able to catch Mr Eriksson's eye (Sven obviously didn't make the trip to St Andrews for the FA Trophy final) there are still plenty of players with Hampshire connections in Portugal.

Not least Marian Pahars, who is limbering up for Latvia's first major international tournament. Given that they find themselves in Group A with Germany, Holland and the Czech Republic, a victory party on the streets of Riga would appear as likely as an Arsenal defeat in the Premiership. However, with a fit again Pahars, Latvia could cause major problems in Portugal - especially for commentators attempting to pronounce their names!

Saints' fans can also look forward to watching Anders Svensson in action for Sweden, although the midfielder won't be joined by his namesake Michael, who has lost his battle against a knee injury. The Swedes find themselves in Group C with Bulgaria, Italy and Denmark.

Group A is the 'group of death', but Alexei Smertin's Russia find themselves in the rather more tranquil surroundings of the 'group of sunshine'. The Pompey midfielder can look forward to clashes against the Mediterranean hot spots of Portugal, Spain and Greece. Whether he stays for two weeks remains to be seen.

Then there's Pompey striker Ivica Mornar's Croatia, and former Saints stars Wayne Bridge and Luis Boa Morte plying their trade for England and Portugal respectively.

I can barely wait. I've even learnt some Portuguese, "Fui assaltado," which roughly translated means "we woz robbed!" Well there's no harm in getting your excuses in early is there?