Cristiano Ronaldo the focus of attention in Marcoussis

Dozens of fans wait outside the entrance to the French national rugby training complez, headquarters for these European Championships of the Portuguese football squad.

The shirt of Cristiano Ronaldo dominates in the crowd and the majority of fans are hoping for an autograph from the Real Madrid forward.

"We would settle for just being able to see them, but we haven't been able to so far", says one female supporter.

But the complex is a stronghold and they can not even manage to get a glimpse of a Portuguese player's face. A three metre stone wall surrounds the base to keep curious bystanders out.

A group of those outside try to scale a hill to watch Portugal's training session. "I just want to see a little of Ronaldo", one of them asserts. Mission impossible.

Hundreds of fans were able to attend the only open training session scheduled by the squad last Thursday, but one woman here missed out: "My cousin came and said it was crazy."

Marcoussis is a calm town situated 40 kilometres to the south of Paris, with plenty of greenery and little noise. Since the Portugal squad came here, Portuguese flags and colours can be seen everywhere, hanging from windows and flying from the entrances to the area.

There is a community of Portuguese immigrants in the area and Marcio, a son of Portuguese parents says: "When I knew the Portugal team was coming here, I couldn't believe it, it is right next to my home."

The squad is aware of this appreciation. Goalkeeper Rui Patricio, born in France, explained: "For me it is very special, to compete in a big tournament in France, where I was born, with the Portugal shirt. Here there are many Portuguese immigrants, we will be the second most supported team, an advantage that we will try to use."

Semifinalists in the last edition of the competition, Portugal will not be content with anything other than a place in the final, just like 2004 in their home country.

Then, the public support pushed them until the final step. Now they can not count on a whole country's backing, but they will feel a little at home.