The ship is approaching landfall.....We're basically there. This video breaks down every team in our group.
Since the turn of the millennium, Portugal has been involved in all 6 major international tournaments available to them held on European soil. In 5 out of 6 of those tournaments, we have made the semi finals or better, with the one exception being a quarterfinal exit at Euro 2008.
It's crazy when we think about it. During this time, we have witnessed England, Italy & Croatia miss out on these tournaments.
We have probably the 2nd/3rd best record in European Comps since Euro96. Yet people still underestimate us... In saying that, we've under performed in World Cups since 2006 so come criticism is understandable. Have not heard one commentator give us a chance at all for this tournament, that probably works in our favour anyway.
Yup, I believe it does work in our favor. In truth, even the players/coaches have kept with the 'we are contenders, not favourites' expression. Deep down, they all know they have the potential to make a serious run at this.. but keeping the public show of confidence at a minimum. Regarding 'experts'.. i have watched several people make their predictions. Every single one of them have Portugal advancing. Every single one of them have a Portugal v Uruguay round of 16 match up. Every single one of them have Uruguay beating Portugal in the round of 16. Interesting to say the least.. not under estimating Uruguay, but for not a single 'expert' to think Portugal stands a good enough chance to select them.. odd.
Portugal-Uruguay would probably be a repeat of the Belgium-Portugal game we just saw. Possible penalties unless we can get our 1-0 before that (I think we can beat them in reg) After that, we will probably get France in the quarters but Argentina can make it there instead of them.
Argentina and Uruguay are good matchups for us, they're South American.. ie they don't really know how to defend like European sides and will push forward. I find it funny that so called experts can't see theae teams suit our style. I think if we finish first in our group we will stand a better chance of going deep, as long as there isn't an upset in the other side of the draw. I think we need to avoid France and Germany to go deep.
This France team seems like the classic French teams that self implode and get kicked out in the group stages
Sports Illustrated writers were the same: all six had Portugal finishing second in the group and playing Uruguay; five of six had Uruguay winning; the other had Portugal losing in the quarters to Argentina. The American and English media always talk about Ronaldo and basically nobody else. They're still acting like Portugal should apologize for winning Euro 2016 in a way that they didn't appreciate watching, and all act like Portugal - statistically the unluckiest team at the tournament - was lucky start to finish. The thing that is killing me about the previews I've read or listened to are the mentions of Renato Sanches. Yes, he played well two years ago, but, no, his exclusion is not a surprise. He played 2 minutes total for Portugal during qualifying - 2 out of 900! He wasn't on the squad for 60% of the matches, yet World Cup previews of Portugal act like his troubles over the past two years are worrisome for this team.
@nbstriker8 Can you sticky this thread and lock the Road to Russia thread? Tournament preparation is over. I think Goodead fell off the face of the planet.
I love how living in Texas, all of my friends who are “huge” soccer fans say we’re overrated and a one man team because they only know about Ronnie. I absolutely love it. I love how nobody is talking about us at all. We are so talented with Rui, Bernardo, Gonçalo, Pepe (obviously), William, Raphael, Bruno, both Joãos and both of our Ricardos. Only thing that scares me is Fonte or Alves starting alongside Pepe, which that looks the case. I also think Santos made a mistake taking Manuel Fernandes instead of Rony Lopes. Both had great seasons for their clubs, but I’m just not sold on him, and he has been anonymous every time for a Seleção. But hey, I trust Santos and his selections. He is the maestro, and I’m 100% behind him with whatever XI he sends out there.
Well I guess I underestimate Uruguay, because I truly think we would win rather easily. I don't mean by multiple goals, just think we would limit them and create many more chances than concede. I'm not even sure Uruguay will take first in their weak group. The perfect storm, the world's most underrated team in Portugal, vs the worlds most overrated team in Uruguay. The combo of Suarez and Cavani is obviously dangerous, but that's really all Uruguay is as far as I'm concerned.
Guys Time to break out your old ass Portugal kits My wife bought me the training and match kits this year for my birthday, but my favorite is still 2002's kit. I'll be wearing it proudly for the next 40 something days, man boobs and all Forca Portugal
My Euro 2004 Ricardo Carvalho home shirt is my all-time favorite, followed by my Euro 2012 Pepe away shirt (w/ the cross), but I need to break this one out soon, assuming it isn't skin tight:
I didn't realize that. They wore home and away shirts just before these were supposed to have been worn that had similarly garish Adidas stripes, but they were limited to the shoulders. I'm not a fan of Adidas' three-stripes-on-every-shirt philosophy, but I can appreciate designs that are just preposterously over the top.
I watched the first half against Algeria. Ronaldo better get his form back cause he didn't look good at all. I know he's been on holidays so time will tell. I hope he doesn't put too much pressure on himself to score like he has in the last few world cups, and be less selfish.
Just a reminder, Don't forget to drop by our group thread below to converse with the Iranians, Morrocans & Spaniards in our group. https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/wc...l-iran-morocco.2079283/page-152#post-36709349
Have to say I was very impressed with the Algeria game. Friendly yes but the energy that Guedes & Bruno brought was really contagious to the rest of the side. I think Santos should start both players but I don't think he will I think there are plenty of reasons to be quietly optimistic, you cant legislate for insane moments like Pepes red card against Germany but as lucky at times we were in the Euros we also had our fair share of bad luck with really poor finishing, missed penalties and deflected goals so I'm hoping g in all comes out in the wash. I'm heading to the airport tonight to film the side today so hopefully they are in good spirits.