Temperature rises as football fever hits women

LISBON: Portuguese women have been swept up in the football fever which is sweeping the nation before tomorrow's Euro 2004 final, inspired by a national squad which has made it to the last two of a major tournament for the first time in history. 

At stadiums and in bars and public squares where giant outdoor television screens have been set up to show matches, thousands of women, many wearing the red and green colours of the national flag, have screamed, cried and prayed like any ardent football fan.