LISBON, May 11 (Reuters) - Luis Figo's crowd-pleasing goal in a recent friendly against Denmark showed how much Portugal will depend on the Barcelona striker in Euro 2000.

A veteran of Portugal's 'golden generation' side that twice lifted the World Youth Cup, Figo's characteristic short dribbles, bursts of speed and technique will make him the spearhead of Portuguese attacks in the July tournament.

His March 29 goal has sparked comparison with the legendary Eusebio, the top scorer in the 1966 World Cup finals whose nine goals drove Portugal to third place that year.

In the game seen as a Euro 2000 warm-up, Figo left two Danish defenders standing then kidded goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel into diving before chipping the ball into an open goal.

'It was spectacular, I was left speechless. I couldn't believe it,' said former Manchested United keeper Scheichel, who now plays for Portuguese League Leaders Sporting Lisbon.

Figo was transferred to Barcelona for a fee of £1.4m in June 1995 since when he has conquered the hearts of Barca fans. His transfer was controversial, because Figo had signed a preliminary agreement with Parma while Sporting Lisbon, where he was then playing, was negotiaing with Juventus.

When both clubs threatened to take action with FIFA, Figo headed for Barcelona and pledged not to play in Italy for two seasons.

Born in November 1972 on the industrial south bank of the River Tagus facing Lisbon, Figo began his playing days with a local team before he was signed by Sporting Lisbon before he had turned 18.

Capped 60 times, Figo scored three goals in the qualifying round for Euro 2000, two of them in decisive 1-1 draws against Azerbaijan and Romania.

Euro 2000 will likely be the last chance for Figo and the rest of the golden generation to shine and make up for Euro 1996 when they promised well but lost meekly to the Czech Republic in the Quarter finals.

'Portugal will have to fight it out with Holalnd, Romania and England. We know it's a tough group but you can't choose opponents in the finals,' Figo said. 'I mean to put all my skill at the service of the Portuguese side and if we all do that, we can aspire to going all the way.'