Supporters unite in vigil for Stephen

Fans from across Europe united to hold a vigil through the night for murdered England fan Stephen Smith.They gathered around the makeshift shrine of flags, scarves and wreaths in Lisbon's Rossio Square yards from where the stabbing took place at about 4am yesterday.

Mr Smith, 28 and from Wolverhampton, was knifed in the heart during an attempted robbery. Vadym Abramovov, 31, a Ukrainian illegal immigrant, was arrested by Portuguese police and is in custody being questioned over the killing.

Police had initially suggested the attacker was a Croat fan, prompting speculation the attack was an act of football violence. But last night it was clear the killing was not connected to the tournament.

Mr Smith's parents told how their son had been "living his dream" of travelling round the world.

In Rossio Square last night, fans from several countries expressed their horror at the murder. James Ellam, 27, from Mirfield, West Yorkshire, said: "It's such a shame because it was a great atmosphere last night and everybody had been celebrating a great win.

"The Portuguese will be as upset as us that this could happen to them."

German fans Stefan Stuber, 36, and Markus Helmberger, 30, laid flags bearing the colours of Bayern Munich. "All football fans are saddened by this. He was here to enjoy the tournament like us. Any of us could have suffered the same fate," Mr Stuber said.

Luis Barata, 32, from Lisbon, said: "It is a very sad day. A family of football fans has gathered in Portugal for Euro 2004 - there are rivalries during the games, but afterwards we are all friends. Everybody is saddened today." And Czech fan Jakob Machacek, 33, added: "Everyone has been having a great time here. There have been no real problems until now, so it has come as a real shock to us all."

In an emotional statement, Mr Smith's parents John and Diane said his murder came during a round-the-world trip which started in April. "Stephen, or Ste, as everyone knew him, was a hard-working man who would help anyone. Many of his friends referred to him as Smiler," they said.

"We as a family are just glad Steve was living his dream when this tragedy happened. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him."

The statement was read by Superintendent Mike Treble, who said the "fanatical" Wolves fan had left England to work in France, Spain, and then Portugal, and was planning to carry on to Italy and Australia.

"The grand plan was to finish on New Year's Eve in New York. This was a man with great ambitions trying to fulfil that dream," he added.

Stephen, who was single with no children, got tickets for the England matches before he left the UK. He was travelling with one friend and others joined him in Portugal.

Mr Treble said: "This is a tragic incident where a young man has lost his life fulfilling a dream to travel the world."