Euro 2008 winner candidate: Portugal

Table of Contents
FIFA Ranking (as of May 2008): 9
Schedule:
07/06/2008 v Turkey
11/06/2008 v Czech Republic
15/06/2008 v Switzerland


The previous host of European Championship, Portugal, is ready to make a memorable story in Euro 2008.

They have a great squad and a World Cup winner manager to make it possible.

The bitter memories of Euro 2004, when they were beaten by Greece in the final in their own ground, are still haunting them.

Now they want to left those harsh memories behind and look for payback.

Portugal has been in such a good form in the European Championship lately.

That was the group of players dubbed as the "Golden Generation" who led the team to reach two semi-finals, one quarter final and a final in the previous tournament.

This group includes Luis Figo, Rui Costa, Vítor Baía, Fernando Couto and João Pinto.

Then a new generation of Portugal went into the side in Euro 2004.

They reached the Euro 2004 Final and semi-finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, proved that they are ready to make history this time.

Their disciplinarian manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, is one of the key factors for Selecção.

He is arguably touted as the most successful coach in Portugal's history. After he took over the team, Portugal has been unbelievably great.

He has restored the team to its maximum function and is looking forward to win the first major trophy for Portugal.

The other key factor has to be who else than Cristiano Ronaldo.. With 42 goals on his name for Manchester United in all competitions, his form is in the best it’s ever been.

If he can keep his form just like he played for United this whole season, no doubt that Portugal will considered as main contender in this tournament.

Another key factor which maybe owned by Selecção only is they are loaded with tricky wingers.

Ronaldo, Ricardo Quaresma, Simão Sabrosa or Nani. Pick your choice, they’re all magnificant and talented winger.

They have neat tricks, nifty skills, flying speed and dreadful in front of goal. These names are enough to terrorize any team in the world.

Portugal has been drawn in the group A along with the hosts Switzerland, Czech Republic and Turkey.

As the finalists from the previous tournament, Portugal could be expected to get through into the final once again.

Euro 2008 could be their time as they have the potential to win the trophy this time.


Portugal Squad

Goalkeepers: Ricardo Pereira (Real Betis), Quim Silva (Benfica), Rui Patrício (Sporting)
Defenders: Miguel Monteiro (Valencia), José Bosingwa (Porto), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Fernando Meira (VfB Stuttgart), Bruno Alves (Porto), Pepe (Real Madrid), Jorge Ribeiro (Boavista)
Midfielders: Raul Meireles (Porto), João Moutinho (Sporting), Deco (Barcelona), Armando Petit (Benfica), Miguel Veloso (Sporting), Simão Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Ricardo Quaresma (Porto), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Nani (Manchester United)
Forwards: Nuno Gomes (Benfica), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Hélder Postiga (Panathinaikos)

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1 comment

Comment Author Avatar
June 24, 2008 2:43 PM Delete
I can't believe they're eliminated from the Euro 2008. All because Scolari insisted in putting Ricardo in goal and in left-back not a natural left back like Caneira. If only Nani played more minutes in that last game against Germany.