Portugal’s Pepe fit for Euro 2016 final

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SAINT-DENIS: Portugal centre-back Pepe declared himself fit on Saturday for Sunday’s Euro 2016 final against hosts France at Stade de France.

The wily Real Madrid defender, 33, missed Portugal’s 2-0 semi-final win over Wales on Wednesday due to a thigh injury, with Bruno Alves taking his place, and trained separately on Friday.

But he played a full part in training with his team-mates at Portugal’s Marcoussis base on Saturday and said that he was ready to take to the field against Didier Deschamps’s side.

“I feel great. I’m fully fit and can be chosen to play tomorrow,” he told a press conference at Stade de France.

Portugal are appearing in only their second major final after Euro 2004, when as hosts they suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Greece.