Scolari's secret!
AFP, Lisbon
Euro 2004 hosts and finalists Portugal are astral travellers as they close in on what would be their first ever trophy success at senior level, with coach Luiz Felipe Scolari seeking extra inspiration from Brazilian psychologist Regina Brandao. Brandao has been giving compatriot Scolari advice from her base in Sao Paulo and according to Portuguese daily Tal e Qual has provided a regular sounding board for the man who led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup. "Since the Euro started we have spoken five or six times. Normally he calls me up the day before a match and we spend hours talking," Tal e Qual quoted Brandao as saying. She added that Scolari was convinced her specialist psychological aid had helped the Brazilians in 2002 and that he wanted the effect to rub off on Portugal. Former England coach Glenn Hoddle had an unhappier experience with team psychologist Eileen Drewery prior to the 1998 World Cup, when his insistence that she play a role was greeted with general derision.
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