When Sweden bowed out of UEFA EURO 2000 with two defeats and a draw in the group stages, it was clear that something was amiss in the camp, and it was something that coaches Lars Lagerbäck and Tommy Söderberg were committed to rectify in time for EURO 2004.

Hotel problems
That problem was accommodation. For the finals in the Netherlands and Belgium, the Swedes had chosen a secluded location which was great for training, but left players with endless empty hours to fill between sessions. For the finals in Portugal, the Swedes have quite literally gone to town.

Ideal position
While the Swedes are training away from the limelight in Estoril, they are staying in the lively tourist resort of Cascais near Lisbon. "We knew the importance of finding the right hotel, and we knew that the players wanted the same Lars and Tommy wanted, and having the hotel in Cascais and the training camp in Estoril is very close to what everyone wanted," one Swedish insider told euro2004.com.

Sweden thrive
With a 5-0 win and a hard-earned draw against Italy in their opening two games of the finals, Sweden certainly thrived in Estoril, and the amount of freedom they were given in their spare time ensured that off-duty players whiling away an afternoon are a common sighting for locals.

Base camp
"I know that Sweden have their base camp here in Estoril and I've had the pleasure of serving Anders Andersson and two other players cold drinks and snacks," said local cafˆm owner Pedro Ruis Rodrigues. "They are very good boys, and if all goes wrong for Portugal I will support Sweden instead."

Well-behaved fans
And it is not only the Sweden players who have impressed the locals. The well-behaved yellow-shirted supporters have also made an impact. "There has also been a number of Swedish fans in the town," added Rodrigues. "They are all behaving themselves very well, and are always happy. It's really fun."

Happy locals
This feeling is shared by other locals. Cascais resident Maria Lopes added: "It has been a pleasure to have the Sweden team here, and the fans are all behaving themselves very well. They are a quiet and polite bunch and I hope that Sweden do well in the tournament."

Good choice
Sweden fans too have been pleased with their team's choice of locale. With many of them staying near Cascais and Estoril, they have had the perfect opportunity to enjoy a relaxing holiday while staying close to their heroes and occasionally dropping in to watch them train.

Holiday opportunity
"We are staying here because the Sweden team are in town," said 33-year old Christian Johansson, who has travelled from Stockholm to Cascais to support his team. "Perhaps we can meet some of the players, and if not we'll at least be able to enjoy the sun and catch a glimpse of the boys in training."

Taxi fares
Taxi drivers have certainly made a good living ferrying curious supporters up to the training camp. "I know that Sweden are training here because I have driven so many fans to their ground," said cabbie Josˆm Guilherme Costa, who like many other locals is wishing the Swedes well.

Lasting impression
The Swedish decision to give their players somewhere less boring to stay seems to have helped everyone. The players can relax, supporters have somewhere nice to stay and locals remain happy to welcome their Scandinavian visitors. Sweden can only hope to make such a lasting, positive impression on the tournament itself.