Friends of an England soccer fan who was stabbed to death during Euro 2004 yesterday relived the moment a pickpocket launched the unprovoked attack.

An inquest was told that Stephen Smith was knifed in the chest after Vadym Abramov crept up behind him outside a Lisbon bar.

Three of the 28-year-old's friends told the Wolverhampton coroner that they had witnessed the incident in Rua Augusta, which happened as they celebrated England's victory over Croatia at The Stadium of Light.

Matthew Prendergast, Paul Heston and Paul Mann all said Abramov had been making a nuisance of himself before the killing, pestering people for cigarettes and drinks.

Describing how the killer had approached their table twice before the fatal assault, Mr Prendergast told the court: "He crept up behind Stephen and just put one arm around him and stabbed him with the other from behind." Mr Smith was taken to hospital, but was dead on arrival.

A post-mortem examination showed that the Wolverhampton Wanderers supporter, who lived in Ringwood Road, Bushbury, in the city, had suffered a penetrating wound to the heart during the attack in the early hours of June 22.

Coroner Richard Allen recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.

* Abramov was jailed for 13 years in November.