A surgeon is obviously a master of the scalpel, while a retired broadcaster focuses these days on gardening in Niagara Falls. But what does that have to do with today's Euro 2004 final between Greece and Portugal, you may ask? Only so much that both these gentlemen -- Dr. Simon McGrail and Graham Leggat, described in the first paragraph -- have played top flight soccer in Scotland and England, respectively.

Leggat, a member of the Scottish World Cup team in 1958, played for nine years for Fulham alongside former England captain Johnny Haynes. He also played five years for Aberdeen in the Scottish first division and two years for Birmingham in the English League's Second Division. Also, he represented Scotland in 18 international matches.

After immigrating to Canada in 1971, he became player-coach of the Toronto Metros and eventually landed the position of soccer commentator for the CBC before serving as TSN's soccer analyst for 15 years.

McGrail, an outstanding ear, nose and throat surgeon, plastic surgeon and sports medicine expert, played in goal for Burnley of the English First Division in the 1950s before moving to Canada.

Both these men are knowledgeable soccer analysts and while neither will be joining the mob in Little Portugal or Little Greece later today, they followed the developments in Euro 2004 with great interest.

"(The) final will be a wonderful affair," Leggat said. "Both teams will be hungry for a win. They'll be certainly hungrier than were the teams of France and Italy.

"I lean towards Portugal to win the championship because if they don't grab the honours this time, they may not grab them for a long time.

"Mind you, the Greeks have a very strong defence and it will be up to Portugal to play better than they have so far. They haven't played their best yet."

McGrail, who took time off from his scalpel and tennis game to forecast the outcome of today's final, said:

"I think Portugal will win. They have two brilliant players in (Luis) Figo and (Cristiano) Ronaldo. Figo controls the midfield and never stops working. He's an inspiration to his teammates. And Ronaldo is a special talent.

TEAM GAME

"The Greeks work as a team and don't rely on superstars. In order for them to win, though, they need luck. So far luck has been on their side. But if you asked me about the best in the tournament, I'd say the Czech squad."

The refereeing and the crowd support will have a lot to do with the eventual outcome of today's final and both analysts offered praise for the whistle-tooters.

"The good referees are those who are not seen," Dr. McGrail said. "The only controversy of some substance occurred on England's last minute goal, which was disallowed."

That, of course, won't affect today's celebration in Little Portugal or Little Greece.