Euro 2008: Portugal primed to overcome German challenge

Nuno Gomes: “I’ve got a feeling I’ll score in this match”

It is do or die for Portugal as the Seleccao face one of the Euro 2008 tournament favourites in Germany. The Portuguese national team are well aware of Germany’s pedigree in the competition – they have lifted the trophy three times, more than any other nation.

But Scolari is intent on ensuring that Portugal take a step nearer to lifting their first ever Euro crown. “It will be a decisive match. One team will go through and the other will not. We have profound respect for Germany, but we want to play our game and win,” said the Brazilian bluntly.

As expected, the Portugal coach said he will be selecting the same starting XI that he chose for Portugal’s first two group matches. Scolari’s opposite number, Joachim Low, will be serving a one-match suspension having been sent from the touchline in Germany’s victory over Austria.

Scolari feels that the fact that Low will not be at his players’ side will not affect Germany’s performance, and even called for Uefa to lift the ban.

“It was not an advantage for other teams when I was suspended, but if it depended on me, I would like Uefa to reverse Joachim Low’s penalty and allow him to be on the bench. I would applaud that decision.” Whether Scolari was being sincere or tongue-in-cheek is open to question.

Strong Germans

Portugal striker Nuno Gomes echoed his coach’s sentiments and is prepared for a tough battle. He and the rest of the team are not taking the Germans lightly, despite their questionable form in their last two Group B matches against Croatia and Austria.

“We want to play the same way we have been playing in our last three matches. It’s obvious that we know Germany have a strong team. We have studied their strengths and know what to do.

“We will want to impose our football, with slight precautions, but still with the intent to continue to play how we have been doing thus far.”

The Portugal captain added that the fact many of Portugal’s regular starters were rested, as Scolari made eight changes to the line-up against Switzerland, is not a huge advantage because both teams will be going full tilt for the win.

Gomes also touched upon the fact that he has yet to score in the tournament, but thinks that he may register his first goal against Germany. “I would like to score tomorrow (today) and I will work towards that as I have this feeling it will happen,” the striker predicted.


Game note 1: Portugal hold the head-to-head advantage over Germany in European Championships. The Seleccao have a record of three wins and one draw since the competition’s inception in 1960.

Game note 2: Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has a record of one win and one loss when facing Germany. Both results occurred during World Cups, the win coming in 2002 when he led the Brazilian national team to their fifth world title. The defeat was suffered two years ago in Germany when Portugal lost the 3rd/4th place match to the hosts.

Game note 3: Besides Low being out, Germany are also sweating over the fitness of two of their key players in Lukas Podolski and Torsten Frings. The Bayern Munich striker is battling against an ankle injury, while Werder Bremen’s Frings has a fractured rib and is doubtful for the clash against Portugal.

Game note 4: A German spy come reporter, disguised as a member of the Portuguese national team camp, was kicked out of Portugal’s press conference due to lack of credentials yesterday. After failing to provide identification, the journalist was asked to leave but was later spotted trying to spy on the Portuguese national team’s training sessions. The perpetrator was duly escorted off the premises.


Euro 2008 Portugal diary
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