Meira philosophical over Scolari exit

Portugal defender Fernando Meira has mixed feelings about the imminent departure of coach Luiz Felipe Scolari but will not let any emotion interfere with his team's Euro 2008 mission.

The timing of the announcement the Brazilian tactician will leave his post to become Chelsea manager on July 1 - which came after Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Czech Republic - surprised many.

"The timing is the timing. Everything in life has a start and an end," said the Stuttgart man. "We are very sorry to lose Scolari but on the other hand we are very happy (for him) because he will have a new thing in his life, a new experience."

Meira acknowledges the Euro 2004 finalists will miss the 59-year-old, who has been at the helm of the Portuguese national team since 2003, but does not plan to let the matter affect his side's quest for European glory in Switzerland and Austria.

"We will miss him a lot but regarding the situation of the team right now, everyone is calm and totally concentrating on doing his best for the team," said the 30-year-old former Benfica defender.

"Also Scolari is very motivated to do a good job here for Portugal until the end of his contract."

The Portugal squad will leave their Neuchatel base later today to travel to Basle for tomorrow's clash with the Swiss, who already know they will finish bottom of the group following defeats by the Czechs and the Turks.