By Phil McNulty and Paul Fletcher Our men in Portugal

Materazzi has had more tears to deal with at Euro 2004

Wayne Rooney is not the only Everton legend in town - a true Toffees icon was spotted in the English media hotel.

Yes, it was Marco Materazzi, the Italy defender remembered for one season of tears and tantrums at Goodison Park.

Marco was seen consoling a tearful youngster - rather like Everton's backroom staff used to console him.

He was well-known for crying as he was treated by the physio - and with the Italian campaign faltering, those tears may be flowing again very soon.

England have struck the first psychological blow ahead of Thursday's Euro 2004 quarter-final with Portugal.

The English media won a game with heir Portuguese counterparts on penalties after a 4-4 draw in normal time.

Portugal collapsed under the pressure of the shoot-out - so much so that no-one could calculate the winning score because the hosts missed so many.

Let's hope it's a sign that England's wretched record in penalties will be ended on Thursday.

Total chaos as England marched to victory against Croatia on Monday.

Firstly the Croatian physio lost a shoe as he raced on to treat injured goalkeeper Tomislav Butina.

He was not to be denied and carried on, but ended up thankful that England captain David Beckham politely recovered the lost footwear.

In the ensuing melee the linesman lost his flag and needed a replacement - but no manner of Keystone Kops touchline activity could stop England's progress.

Jean Tigana - hotly tipped to be the next French boss -gave an object lesson in how to wander past a pack of journalists without giving interviews.

Covering France's game with Switzerland for TV, Tigana placed his mobile phone to his ear as soon as he entered the room.

Every approaching journalist holding a dictaphone was greeted with an apologetic shrug of the shoulders.

Strangely, as soon as Tigana left the room, his phone call abruptley ended.

Liverpool-bound striker Dribril Cisse is not in France's Euro 2004 squad.

He is serving a suspension for kicking out at an opponent and would not have been available until the final.

But the 22-year-old attended France's game with Switzerland and was spotted entering Les Bleus' dressing room after the match.

Resplendent in a white sheen tracksuit, the burly striker emerged with several French players but refused to discuss his move to Anfield with the media.

One particular Portuguese football commentator is at it again.

Not content with calling Paul Scholes 'Pool Schools' he has now developed a new variation on Frank Lampard.

Every time the Chelsea midfielder is on the ball for England, the commentator in question talks in gushing tones about 'Frankie'.

And with Wayne Rooney banging in the goals, he is giving the young Everton forward some Brazilian-style serious vowel action.