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| Friday, 08 June 2012 12:07 |
The wait is nearly overLöw and Podolski talk tough on eve of Portugal's opening game The Portugal squad left their base in Poland this morning before flying to Ukraine ahead of tomorrow evening’s game against Germany, as the start of their Euro 2012 campaign draws ever closer.
The entire squad took part in their final training session in Opalenica last night, including Nani who looks to have made a complete recovery from the foot injury that he sustained against Turkey last weekend. Afterwards, reserve goalkeeper Eduardo attended a press conference in which he was keen to put aside some of the recent negative comments surrounding the Selecção and call for positivity ahead of Saturday’s game: “If we win against Germany we will quieten a lot of this criticism that is going on. We, as Portuguese, need to support the national team. Don’t crucify us before the tournament has begun. At the end we will be here to show our faces and take responsibility, whatever the result. Please don’t judge us before that.” José Mourinho will certainly be supporting his compatriots as he travels to Ukraine to get behind the national team. The Real Madrid coach has eleven players going to the tournament, including five who will be taking part on Saturday. But while his loyalties may be divided, he admits that there is only one team that he will be rooting for: “I am Portuguese and I will be with my national team, but I am also going to support my other players. I think that it is my duty to be alongside them during such a special moment, I wish them all luck.” Few are tipping Portugal to spring a surprise in their opening game, but German coach Joachim Löw is certainly not writing off the Selecção, urging his players to be wary of their many attacking threats: “Portugal have four or five world-class players. They are one of the most dangerous and effective teams when their opponents lose the ball. Because they are one of the best at launching counter-attacks we need to attack with great intensity and force them to stay in their own midfield. We cannot lose concentration for a second.” It looks as though Löw will be able to call upon Per Mertesacker to help keep the Portuguese at bay, after the centre-back recovered from a collision with Jerome Boateng during training yesterday. Mertesacker was already struggling for fitness having missed the last three months of the season thanks to an ankle injury that he suffered while playing for Arsenal in February, but the experienced defender, who has won 81 caps for Germany, is expected to be ready for tomorrow night’s game. Mertesacker’s new club colleague Lukas Podolski is certainly feeling confident ahead of the clash. The forward, who has scored 43 goals in 97 internationals, told German newspaper Bild that he is expecting to keep Ronaldo quiet en route to a comfortable 2-0 win: “Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world so we have to stop him. But we managed that the last time we played against Portugal and we'll do it again on Saturday. We have to be aggressive, entangle him in some tough tackles and take away his love of football.” Strong words indeed, but with just over twenty-four hours until the big match, the time for talking is finished. The wait for Euro 2012 is nearly over. by Tom Clee |
The only reason we were undone was that we were poor on the finishing (what else is new) and more importantly on the transition between defending and attacking. Don't we have better midfielders? We ruined so many potential counters due to bad passes unbelievable.
your verbal diarrhea is getting old...as are your pseudo personalities on here.
watch the game, shut your cake hole.
please spare us all from your post-game analysis
so that is where my opinion comes from..
like I said the major teams are ripe for the picking.. and truth is if the players get together.. CR, Nani, Coentrao, Pepe.. are good enough to win on their own..
Odds on that are low..
Nelson has his facts all right... and I too look at those as the game starts..
Like NJ.. says.. the flags go up the jersey on and we take all the abuse that comes with it.
Rob from the jail colony would not know and is probably why he was exiled there.. he does not appreciate what it is like to be Portuguese.. in a vibrant multicultural area.. where I live.. during euro every second car has full flags.. World Cup it is every car..
"I mostly enjoy what I read here - good or bad, positive or negative."
Do we really care? Rob... please do tell... lol
Like everyone else on here.. Tom lets you share your opinion.. on the subject and maybe in Australia people care what you think.. but on PortuGOAL you are just another poster no more no less.. this is not a fascist website... they almost post everything..
Did I not say it was a bad day...
In some parts of the world.. some Portuguese supporters are going to get some stick.. that is who the message was for.. those fans.. in populated areas not the ones isolated in some backwards nations.
Keep the way you play selecao...
you brothers around the globe are with you.
Com muita forca, vamos ganhar este jogo.
Viva Portugal, Viva Timor Leste
Many will be happy to find out that I actually take down the Benfica flag when the Euros and WC. Actually, I move the Benfica flag to the back. It still flies.
As for this Seleccao, I wouldn't be shocked if we got killed or won, today. I wouldn't be shocked if that happened in all our matches.
The fact is that we will all be cheering loudly and feel the gut wrenching emotions that come with joy or pain. Too much.
Maybe, but the flags are out the jerseys are on, and we are ready. I even made sure to go pick up some Sagres.
It's hard to do at times, but let's enjoy it. Win or lose there is plenty left to play.
Forca!!!
One team lifts the trophy the 15 other teams leave disappointed
The ball is round
We have the most talented player in the tournament
We will get to see our team play 2 of the best
The German's are making some bold statements in the media and we are clearly the underdog
Despite all the issues we've had we are at the dance.... So sit back, have a beer/wine/soda with your friends and family and enjoy the show. FORCA PORTUGAL!!!!
I mostly enjoy what I read here - good or bad, positive or negative. But honestly keep your bitch slapping rubbish to yourself, because I, and I'm sure many others, are not interested. It has nothing to do with soccer!!!
If you really feel compelled to have to share this ... do so with a psychologist, that's what they're there for.
Anyway, go Ronaldo, go the NT, and win, win, win!
FORCA PORTUGAL!!!
And hey, I hope I'm wrong, maybe Custudio will start, maybe Nani will be fully fit and maybe Ronaldo will track back his fullback (has anyone seen the Greek match? Samaras never tracked his fullback in the first half, with devastating result) maybe...
I cannot believe how pessimistic you are. On the one hand you say that our team is poor, and is going to get demolished, then on the other hand you say forca forca, busting out the flags etc. A touch of realism is necessary, but you surpass realism and delve fully into pessimism...
"unfortunately our fan support does not win any tournaments"..ya I wonder why..
Next to impossible to believe you'll actually support this team granted the content of your rant.
A little optimism may not have a direct connection to reality, but then again neither does your pessimism.
3-2 and 3-1 are not terrible "blood bath" results.
Regardless what happens tomorrow, I eagerly await your thoughts.
Let's face it all the major squads are hurting.. Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain, England, France, and Sweden.. and with the most talented players available for selection the best we have is a side that might not get blown out. A really sad state.
Like Benfica we will blow a major opportunity to do Euro damage because of the Manager.
The only good news going into this tournament is we're in the group of death.. which has always inspired good play out of a basket case team like Portugal.
With the right player selection the right formations... the right boss.. this Portugal team would run through the opposition on the way to collecting a major trophy easily.. they would demolish a decent German team, a good dutch team, and an over achieving Danish team.. but the fact is none of that will happen.. and we are about to receive the worst hiding we ever received..
Germany is weak.. ripe for a smashing.. yet the tool in charge has one of the worst aerial gk's in Europe starting against them.. to improve the aerial presence he plays a non-defensive mid.. that allows the CB's to get destroyed..
My German neighbours have been flying their flags for weeks.. today I whipped out the beasts... 4 flags, two massive ones.. and two fed ones.. they chuckled and said tomorrow they will come down.. which I replied.. we have the worst manager in the world.. you might/probably beat us.. but the flags never go down.. until we are out.. we support our team.. our players are better.. our team isn't..
Fortunately for us we are not in Poland's group or else we could've got blown out as we usually do against weak ass squads in weak divisions..
Look at tomorrow.. Nani will not start.. so that means Quaresma one of the most retarded and defensively liable players on the planet will be on the same side as Schweinsteiger who has made a career of destroying Portugal on the left wing.. add Quaresmaand the defensive strengths or Veloso/Meireles as defenseless mids and Patricio's ability to allow a bad goal from every angle, Alves super fast reactions and ultimate doom is on the menu.
This team deserves better...
I will cheer.. the flags will not come down.. in the face of embarrassment.. we will battle.. unfortunately our fan support does not win any tournaments.
Portugal might have some of the best wingers in the world..we also have some of the best supporters.. the bleeding type.. that will go to war...
That I am proud of.. but Bento and his absurdity.. I have no care for.
I want to win.. and Bento although a perfect interim coach because he knew so many players and they knew his formations, should have been replaced before the Euro when the wheels were coming off... and never should have been extended..
His track record is clear.. it is Sporting based.. shocking at times.. and irrelevant at others.. he has the social skills of a 2nd grade bully..
So beyond the players (some of which are the best in the world at their positions) making an impressive, definitive result... a blood bath is all we will receive..
It kills me to say this..as I am a cold dead hands sort of mofo.. but the festival with Roberto Leal in Toronto at Belwood is literally under severe weather storm warnings.. so is the national team game vs Germany..
Four years ago same festival.. I remember walking through the park after a Turkey victory to this Portuguese festival and some Porkchop college douche and his friends were mocking the seleccao clad jersey wearing throng.. because of the one victory...
I overheard him say "One victory and look at all these idiots, I am Portuguese but this is embarrassing!' as I passed.. so I slapped the traitor upside the head in front of his friends as they were sprawled out on the grass.. and reminded him that those loud sounds in the distance were that of the Portuguese festival going on around them in the park.. and the jersey wearing mofos were there for that not just to celebrate the game.
Why do I mention this.. ? Because my patience will be very thin after the beating we are about to take.. and if you are that douche who I remember clearly.. or any other tool.. stay away from the park..
I am a great sport.. win or lose.. but I tolerate tools less.. after a severe beating..
The stupified look on those punks faces..
The traitor who was talking loud and his punk friends faces as I bitch slapped him in front of them was incredulous..
They didn't move and to this day I still wish I had just gone with my first instinct.. and shin kicked him to the face.. instead of the slap, so that they could see the blood splatter from his nose on impact.
Although capable I am rarely violent at an extreme I am the friendliest person you ever met until forced.
I had always considered these big tournies as a great festival of football... and the atmosphere electric.. no matter who won.. as the Greater Toronto Area.. contains every nationality known to man in abundance but starting that tournament.. I saw so many ugly sides.. to people waving flags that I fear for the worst.
So for all my passionate friends on here I implore you to take caution.. in your celebration.. and to shin kick any traitor mofos in front of their friends so that your conscious is clear... kidding (maybe)
Be classy when you win.. and most especially be classy in loss.. unless you run into that same disrespectful tool..
Forca Portugal till the end...!!
We need to go with two DMs, I would pick Custódio and Meireles to protect the back four and Moutinho upfront. It will be very physically demanding and tireless running until the final whistle. I think they will hog the ball like Barcelona but we can be Real Madrid sparking quick counter attacks and catching them off guard. Hugo Viana is a good option to come off the bench. A tie would be a great result.
- Use its Full-backs to press the German defense down the flanks (Coentrao/Pereira)
- Centre Defense must keep Podolski/Gomez in check. No repeat of the Turkey debacle.
- Finish their chances. That means you Postiga!
- Set pieces. They have been weak in recent games. Ronaldo is crucial here.
- If Nani doesn't play it's a big blow. The German defense will try to close take Ronaldo out of the game. Nani must capitalize with the extra space.
- Expose Mertesacker/Boateng weakness. Potentially Germany's fatal flaw.
- Break midfield fluidity. Germany's midfield is its strength with (Ozil, Gotze, Scheinsteiger, Kroos). Don't let them establish supremacy. Meireles, Moutinho, Veloso must keep possession and create chances.
I think this game will be close. I will play it safe by predicting a 1-1 draw or a 2-1 win for Germany. A goal off a set piece or a penalty might make the deference. In the other game, I predict a mild upset with Denmark either beating Holland or drawing against them.
All four teams will drop points in this group when it's all set and down. I predict Portugal will beat both Denmark and Holland on their way to a semi-final berth.
Forca Portugal!!
Just reading some news posts about Nani missing tomorrow's game due to that injury he picked up against Turkey. I hope Nani is fit to play tomorrow; if not, man that guy has the worst luck when it comes to injuries right before major tournaments.
Maybe it's just a little mind game Bento is playing against Germany; the Germans seem to be doing the same thing.
We have a great team who can do damage, no one ever doubted their ability. FORCA PORTUGAL!!! Lets hope for some carapao power and no weiner schnitzel sizzle.
Maybe I will run into Johnnieeeooo tomorrow, lol, I am going as well! PARABEMS TO PORTUGAL, you dont look a day over 900!! :)
Its Portugal day tomorrow here in Toronto......Portugal has to win.
VIVA PORTUGAL, FORCA.
The team is what it is and will go in as an underdog. I know they will play hard and it will not be for lack of effort. Beating the Germans will take discpline, making it difficult for the Germans to make their efficient quick passes and runs, and handling the crosses.
The Germans back defense is phyical and will try to tackle and crowd CR, Nani will be critical to counter the pressure on CR. Nani and CR as stated before are the keys to keeping Portugal in the game offensively.
GO Portugal! Enjoy the game fans around the world!
FORCA TUGAS CARALHO
I know that I and others have been critical of players, managers and the FPF, but we all know that all Portuguese will be behind his squad. I wouldn't be surprised if a roar is heard around he world if we were to win it.
Even after the rough qualifiers (let in 12 goals, most of any squad that advanced) and friendlies (lost to Turkey and forget Macedonia) I really think that we can advance.
Germany has a very good squad, but they snuck up on people in the WC. Teams should be better prepared to face them this time around. They also have a very suspect defense. They'll have to roll the mids and defense Cristianos way, so we really need someone to fill the space and make them pay. We have the talent in Nani and Meireles to get it done. If Postiga can net one early, it will relieve a lot of pressure off the wings, and get him and squad going.
The Netherlands are always good, but they are also known for the infighting. They have very good young players that will be looking to make their mark, but also have older players that will want to hang onto the glory. These guys can implode. I worry about DeJong and Von Bommel actually injuring someone. Maybe they'll be missing by the time we face them. They are the whiny team that complains about fouls all game while committing the most fouls themselves.
Both Germany and Netherlands have excellent goal keeping.
Denmark will be very tough? They only let in 6 goals in qualifying but 4 of those came from Portugal. The biggest worry for me is that they will be comfortable playing Portugal due to the qualifiers. This will be a must win for Portugal (and Denmark). In saying that I still feel that Denmark will remain compact and counter. I don't see them becoming adventurous.
We could really shock some pundits. We have the best player in the world and if some our guys just play to their capabilities, we should advance.
Let's get the flags out and the jerseys on.
Forca Portugal !!!