Rui Jorge leads his Seleção team into action against England tomorrow in Portugal’s first match at the Under-21 European Championship being held in the Czech Republic.
After an impeccable qualifying campaign, and with a squad packed with big-name players, hopes are high that Portugal can at least match their best-ever performance at the tournament, when they finished runners-up to Italy in 1994.
There is a growing belief in Portugal that the national team will soon be benefiting from a second coming of the country’s famed “Golden Generation” that came to the fore at the end of the 1980s and early 90s.
That set of players, headed by the likes of Luís Figo, Rui Costa and Paulo Sousa, laid the foundations for two decades of success at senior level. Although the Seleção failed to win a major trophy in that time, the team regularly made it to the latter stages of Euros and World Cups, in stark contrast to Portugal’s modest history prior to this turning point.
But although Portugal have not failed to qualify for a tournament at senior level since 1998, it has required a play-off and/or superhuman performances from Cristiano Ronaldo to keep the run going in the last six years.
This current U21 squad, however, provides real optimism that Portugal can continue to thrive at international level – and dare one say it – even break their trophy duck in the coming years. Lifting the Euro 2015 Cup in the Eden Arena in Prague on 30 June would be a good start.
Star-studded squad
So why is there such excitement surrounding this particular Portugal team? Ten wins in ten qualifying matches goes some way to explaining it, as does the fact that coach Rui Jorge is spoilt for choice when it comes to picking his starting XI.
Players such as Raphael Guerreiro, William Carvalho, Bernardo Silva, Rúben Neves, Ricardo Pereira, Carlos Mané and João Mário have all shined for the senior Portugal side and/or in Champions League play at their respective clubs.
William Carvalho has 13 senior Seleção caps to his name, but he guaranteed yesterday that he and his team-mates who are full Portugal internationals do not consider the call-up a step down. “Whether playing for the Portugal U15, U19, U21 or senior side, the feeling is always the same: maximum motivation and maximum pride to represent the country.”
Olympic objective
Despite being linked to a big-money move away from Sporting for over a year, William refuses to consider himself the star of the team. “Me, the star? No way! We all have shared responsibility, simply because we are representing Portugal. I am just a player like the others who will give their very best to help the team achieve its goals.”
For now, both coach Rui Jorge and the players have earmarked the initial objective of getting through the group stage to make the last four. The semi-finalists qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year, a competition the Seleção have not taken part in since the Athens Games 11 years ago.
“We’re going to give our best to achieve our goal, which is to reach the Olympic Games. After that, anything can happen. We’re going to give our all. We’ll be playing very tough teams in a very strong group, but if we give our best we will be close to victory,” added William.
Tough group
Coach Rui Jorge was at pains to point out that Portugal have been drawn in a very competitive group, alongside England, Italy and Sweden, and refuses to accept his team are one of the favourites.
Like Portugal, England also qualified for the tournament in impressive style, winning 9 and drawing one of their 10 matches. Italy have won the U21 European Championship more than any other nation (5 times), while Sweden knocked out a strong France team to qualify for the tournament.
With just 14 days separating today’s inaugural Czech Republic-Denmark match and the final, it promises to be a short but sweet tournament. And quite possibly a memorable one for Seleção fans. May the action begin.
Portugal’s Group B matches
Portugal v England, 18 June
Portugal v Italy, 21 June
Portugal v Sweden, 24 June
Portugal squad and shirt numbers:
1 – José Sá
2 – Ricardo Esgaio
3 – Tiago Ilori
4 – Paulo Oliveira
5 – Raphael Guerreiro
6 – William Carvalho
7 – Rafa
8 – Sérgio Oliveira
9 – Gonçalo Paciência
10 – Bernardo Silva
11 – Iuri Medeiros
12 – Daniel Fernandes
13 – João Cancelo
14 – Tobias Figueiredo
15 – Frederico Venâncio
16 – Rúben Neves
17 – Carlos Mané
18 – Ivan Cavaleiro
19 – Ricardo Horta
20 – Tozé
21 – Ricardo Pereira
22 – Bruno Varela
23 – João Mário
by Tom Kundert
Related: Five Portugal players to watch at the U21 European Championship
