Soccer-Portuguese men of war show age is no obstacle at Euros

By Nick Said

DUESSELDORF, Germany (Reuters) - Portugal have the two oldest players at the European Championship this year, but not the most 'senior' squad with more age-related records potentially to tumble in a tournament where miles in the legs have been no obstacle to success.

Defender Pepe is likely to extend his record as the oldest player ever to feature in the Euros when he turns out for Portugal against France in their quarter-final on Friday night at the age of 41 years and 130 days.

He set the record in the 0-0 last-16 draw with Slovenia on Monday, where he was twice almost embarrassed by 21-year-old Benjamin Sesko who got the better of him, but has been solid throughout the tournament in Germany.

Pepe has two more records in his sights if he can help guide his team to the final in Berlin on July 14.

The oldest player to win a Euros final is former Dutch international Arnold Muehren, who provided the ball to the back post for Marco van Basten's iconic angled volley in the 1988 decider against the Soviet Union. He was 37 years and 23 days.

The oldest player to feature in a final is ex-Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, who was 38 years and 232 days when they lost to Spain in 2008.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, should have already claimed the record for oldest player to score at the Euros but missed an extra-time penalty against Slovakia, leaving him in tears.

It is still therefore held by Croatia’s Luka Modric, who was 38 years and 289 days when he netted against Italy in the group stage.

The oldest scorer in a Euros final is Leonardo Bonucci, who was 34 years and 71 days when he equalised for Italy against England at Euro 2020.

Portugal may have the two oldest players at the tournament, but the squad with the highest average age is Germany at 28.5, with 10 players 30 or above, led by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (38), midfielders Toni Kroos (34) and İlkay Gundogan (33) and forward Thomas Mueller (34).

Three of the four youngest squads are still in the tournament. Czech Republic (25.5) exited in the group stage, but Turkey (25.8), England (26.1) and Netherlands (26.3) have reached the quarter-finals.

(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Christian Radnedge)