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Portugal 2-3 Germany - Match Reaction

Luiz Felipe Scolari, Portugal coach:

“We had difficulties from dead ball situations. But that was to be expected given their height. However, for the third goal there was a clear foul on Paulo Ferreira. We are happy with the team, despite getting knocked out.

“Overall they were better. They scored more goals so congratulations to them.

“This was worse than we did in 2004, but the players did all they could. We’ve got a good team, but the other teams are also very strong. If we had got through today we would have sailed into the final”

(on leaving Portugal) “I want to thank all the Portuguese for everything they have done for me. I wish all the luck in the world to Portugal. I’ve been in Portugal for five and a half years, I have a fantastic relation with everybody.

“Maybe one day I will coach Portugal again. It is not an immediate project but I will never forget Portugal and who knows if I won’t return one day.”

Nuno Gomes, Portugal captain:

“What happened are things that cannot be explained. I would have preferred not to have scored and to be in the semi-finals. We weren’t expecting this. It’s a huge disappointment. It leaves a bitter taste. We had a team to go far in this tournament.

“I’ve got to thank all the support we had from the emigrants here in Switzerland, the people who came to the stadium and those in Portugal who were suffering for us. We felt a great atmosphere around us, but although we are sad to go out, we go out with our heads held high.

“If there was justice in football we would still be playing now in extra time or in a penalty shoot-out.”

Petit, Portugal midfielder:

“We weren’t expecting this because we wanted to reach the final. Today was like an early final, but we didn’t get through to the semis.

“We were wary of dead ball situations but because of their size it’s difficult to mark them, even more so if they push our players. We created chances, it was a shame the set pieces.”

Deco, Portugal midfielder:

“We’re disappointed because we were playing a good Euro, but when you get to this phase you have to be one hundred percent concentrated at all levels and we weren’t able to do that. You’re made to pay heavily for your mistakes, especially against Germany.

“We knew they were strong at set pieces. We scored two goals, they only managed to score one from a normal move and then two from dead balls. We were superior but this doesn’t count for anything.

“When you concede goals it’s everybody’s fault, not just the defence. We’re not here accusing anybody. When I say we failed we failed as a unit.

“The atmosphere is the worst possible right now. I know the people who were supporting us are sad, in Portugal, in Neuchatel and all the emigrants, but nobody is sadder than us. When you get to this phase you have to be 100% concentrated and if you’re not things are difficult.”

Raul Meireles, Portugal midfielder:

“We did everything to get to the semi-finals, everyone saw our effort. In the second half we started strongly but Germany scored again the first time they threatened our net. It’s hard to go out like this, I didn’t want to go back this soon.”

Jose Bosingwa, Portugal defender:

“They changed their system and applied a lot of pressure on the flanks. As their wide players shut down space well, it was difficult for us to exploit the wings. It was the set pieces that decided things. It’s a shame, but I don’t think we played badly.”

Nani:

“We’re very disappointed. We’re out of the Euro prematurely. We played better than Germany, we had more chances, but the two goals from set-pieces were decisive. That’s football”

(on whether he should have played more at Euro 2008) “I worked hard towards this goal but the coach made his options and the team were playing well.”

Related: Portugal 2-3 Germany - Match Report