Scolari has said that he believes Portugal can reach the 2008 Euro Final. He seems to be very confident, usually he's reserved with his predictions. Here's the article form ABOLA: Selecção«Portugal tem mais confiança que nunca» (Scolari)Luiz Felipe Scolari acredita que Portugal pode chegar à final do Euro-2008. O seleccionador nacional regozija-se com o trabalho que está a ser feito na equipa das quinas, que considera «mentalmente mais forte», e diz-se confiante, pelo menos, na repetição do percurso trilhado em 2004. ASF «O Euro-2004 foi um passo importante para Portugal no sentido de tornar-se numa equipa mais competitiva, capaz de atingir mais finais. Fizemos um grande trabalho e senti que aquela não seria a nossa única final», revelou Scolari em entrevista à FIFA Magazine, lembrando os feitos que se seguiram à competição que uniu o País em torno da equipa das quinas: «Fizemos um bom Mundial e qualificámo-nos para o Euro-2008, competição onde queremos ir longe. Portugal tem mais confiança que nunca». Questionado sobre uma «alteração de mentalidade» na Selecção Nacional, o técnico brasileiro foi claro. «É isso que procuramos. A Selecção portuguesa está mentalmente mais forte. A qualificação para o Euro-2008 não foi fácil, tivemos momentos difíceis mas concretizámos o nosso objectivo. Há uns anos atrás teríamos falhado», notou, comentando, também, a diminuição da média de idades que, para a FIFA, «passou despercebida». «E ainda não terminou», soltou Scolari, prosseguindo: «Posso garantir que a Selecção portuguesa vai ter uma ou duas surpresas no Euro-2008, mas vamos continuar a lutar com as cinco melhores selecções do mundo», vaticinou, acrescentando: «Apenas dois ou três jogadores que participaram no Mundial de 2002 devem ser convocados». «Um misto de experiência e juventude é sempre a melhor opção. É isso que persigo e a minha estratégia está a resultar», defendeu, definindo a meta para a competição que vai decorrer na Áustria e na Suíça: «Acredito que podemos chegar à final, ainda que tenhamos que afastar equipas fortes no nosso percurso, a começar na fase de grupos». «Cristiano Ronaldo vai ser um líder» Luiz Felipe Scolari tece rasgados elogios a Cristiano Ronaldo, jogador em maior destaque no panorama do futebol mundial, e vaticina um futuro brilhante para o internacional português. A nível de clubes e também na Selecção. «É um jogador-chave para o Manchester United e para a Selecção. Cristiano é o exemplo de um rapaz que amadureceu depressa, como jogador e como líder. Estou plenamente convencido de que estará entre os melhores jogadores do mundo nos próximos três, quatro ou cinco anos e, a longo prazo, será o capitão e um dos líderes da Selecção portuguesa», afirmou. He also says only 2 or 3 players from the 2002 World Cup will be on the squad from Euro 2008 so which of the following players will be left out??? Caneira Ricardo Petit Nuno Gomes Hugo Viana (obviously) And who are gonna be the surprises?? Will Scolari pull an Eriksson (calling up Walcott for WC06)??
Losing to Italy, & Greece is not a SURE sign of confidence in my books. He has done a lot to piss me off but now making predictions is just ludicrous. TBH, I wouldn't call petit nor viana deserve to be on this team. Veloso, Manelel should be promoted and pele should be on a tryout... I'm predicting he will be the surprise call-up! Caneira can play multiple positions, so he will be on the team and Ricardo should take a backseat and let Quim have his job.
I think he's making predictions to get people from worrying about Portugal's recent form and to give the players confidence after their two consecutive losses.
I agree with him, I think Portugal has the team to do it and a nice road to final. Only problem is when we reach it, can we beat Italy/Greece/France??
For the Surprise picks for Scolari I expect: Eduardo (Setubal) Fajardo (Guimaraes) Ze Pedro (Belenenese) Stelvio Cruz (Sp. Braga) Djalo (Sporting CP) Edinho (AEK Athens FC) We'll find out against Georgia who it will be but no doubt the guys mentioned deserve a call-up.
Fernandes is returning to top form after his injury, in 2 months he will be fantastic once more. Ricardo and nuno gomes will be the only players i think from 2002. caniera has been too ************ to be true, and petit has sucked this whole season. veloso meireles fernandes maniche moutinho deco will be our midfielders imho. meireles is average at best though..id rather petit who is better, but hes been poor the whole season while meireles has been consistent..still..nowhere bnear quality enough to make any difference on the field vs greece he failed every tackle and pass when he came on, shameful.
LOL stelvio cruz?!?!?! Fajardo?!?!?!! Djalo and eduardo i can see. Eduardo is our best keeper imho, and djalo has 4 goals in 3 games..if he remains good the next couple months he can replace makukula or postiga.
My Squad: ------------------------------Eduardo------------------------------- Bosingwa--------------Carvalho----------Meira------------Miguel Nani-----------------------Fernandes------------------Quaresma --------------------------C.Ronaldo-------------------------- -------------------Djalo-----------------Nuno Gomes-------------- Joao Pereira could also be the surprise Scolari might want.
Stelvio Cruz is a great young player that is a big and physical player and that is what we lack if the Midfeild he and Roland Linz combinded beautifully against Sporting they should of won if not for Djalo's class. Fajardo is a beast IMO he and Kamel Ghilas have been the reason Guimaraes have been playing awesome. He had 4 goals in the first 4 liga games yhis season and could be good as a backup play to say Nani or Simao.
lol guys nothing drastic will happen with the lineup scolari will stick with the same ppl as usual since when does he ever make significant changes unless he is absolutely forced to. after we lose 2-1 to turkey in the opener, he will make changes.
Djalo? 4 goals in 3 games for sporting, he is a comeback player! Quaresma, If yannick plays well against Rangers, since he's back in form -- WATCH THE FECK OUT!
I hope Manelele makes the squad, he's coming back to form. I also agree that Scolari is trying to bring the players confidence up with his optimisim.
Well at first I thought why are we assuming that his surprises are going to be youngsters, maybe he's brining back one of our old icons but that would contradict his statement about only 2-3 players from the 2002 WC being selected.
If Scolari makes a surprise call that will probably be Manuel Fernandes, anyone else that was mentioned here, ahm no. - Edinho scored 5 goals in the greek league doesn't make him a superstar considering that Makukula scored 7 and is a player that Scolari trusts. - Djalo won't be called, I have no idea why people even came up with his name. Of all of our youngsters, Saleiro would deserve it and we all know that's not going to happen. - Eduardo is a fine goalkeeper but a couple of good performances are no match for a good young talent that is R. Patricio. - Stelvio still has a lot to accomplish before getting his place in the nt. Of the youngsters, P. Machado is ahead of him. - Fajardo is good but Scolari is not going to leave Moutinho or Maniche for him...it's irrational. Same for Zé Pedro. Anyone else?
I really like that Machado kid, watched him with the U21's looks quite the player. I agree the only youngster with a real shot with Scolari is Manelele.
Few are mentioning Pele but I think this may be one of Scolari's "surprises" for a couple of reasons: - he would compliment maniche nicely; - he's likely played as many games this season as M. Fernandes, in a league that is tactically superior and top tier team; and - some commentator's labelled him the best talent at the u-20 world cup in Canada.
i too don't see any real big surprises. he won't call anyone who hasn't been included in any of his previous call ups. more likely the surprises will be those not called. Tiago, petit, postiga, alves, caneira are probably candidates. i'm thinking he'll call the 23 below. quim rui ricardo miguel bosingwa carvalho pepe meira ferreira ribeiro veloso meireles maniche deco fernandes moutinho simao ronaldo quaresma nani nuno almeida makukula
I trully hope that Felipao gets to call both Maniche and tiago...i would be very retarded not 2 select them got the euros
I dont think either of them played every single Euro qualifier and he didnt have a problem bringing Figo in to the WC in 2006.