Tiago Ilori is confident Portugal can go one better than the golden generation of Luis Figo and Rui Costa by winning the Under-21 European Championship.

Olomouc bore witness to a remarkable semi-final on Saturday as Rui Jorge’s side not only overcame Germany but condemned them to their heaviest ever competitive defeat.

Portugal’s attacking masterclass saw them run out 5-0 victors at the Ander Stadium, securing a place in the final for the first time in 21 years.

Figo and Costa were part of the class of 1994 yet they were unable to secure victory, meaning the current crop would become the first Portuguese winners – a feat few expect Sweden to prevent given their semi-final heroics.

Ilori, a starter in all three Group B games, was reduced to a watching brief for the Germany encounter due to a thigh complaint, but the Liverpool defender’s frustration was outweighed by his delight at the performance.

“It was great,” Ilori told Press Association Sport. “I couldn’t have asked for better.

“We’re going to do everything we can and of course we’re confident – we’ve always been confident.

“But we are humble enough that every team in the group we were in was good and the other group.

“All the teams in the competitions are good teams, so we’re going to give it our best but we’re always going to respect the other team.”

Bookmakers have installed Portugal as favourites to clinch the European crown tomorrow – little surprise given their squad not only boasts experience but some of the tournament’s star players, such as Bernardo Silva and William Carvalho.

Ilori says the latter, a reported Arsenal target, is a “great asset” to a team with a special bond, thanks in no small part to the fact a number of them came through the Sporting Lisbon ranks together.

“I think it is seven or eight of us,” the £7million defender, a graduate of the Portuguese giants, said.

“We know each other. We’ve known each other for a long time, even the players that didn’t play in Sporting.

“We’ve been together in the national teams since we’re young, so everyone gets along very well.”