F*** that. Do you think France, when they played us in 2006, thought, "Damn, they're overdue for a win". No. They thought "We beat them all the time and we're gunna do it again", so screw the Dutch. It'll be business as usual with them.
Yes generally Denmark does well against Germany both as a national team and on club level. I still think Germany is favorite against Denmark, but it will be close, and if the Danish team plays up to the recent level it is a match which we very well could win or draw. Against Holland I am much more of a pessimist.
Portugal will play a friendly against Poland on February 29th. This will be the first game to ever be played at the new 60000 seat stadium. Should be a good test, against decent opposition in a brand new stadium that I'm sure will be packed. http://www.abola.pt/nnh/ver.aspx?id=302380 http://www.fpf.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_FUTEBOL/SELECCOES/NOTICIA?notid=11948512
I agree. Good test, location-wise and opponent-wise (unlike the horrible, gutless friendlies we played before the WC). My only concern is the date. Late February? In Poland??! Holy crap, that could be nasty weather - check you tube for Poland games in winter to get an idea... Not sure how relevant a game in mid-winter in those parts of the world is...
BGADK: I hear you. Denmark, on a good day, could beat any of the teams in this group. I am not counting them out. That being said, just look around - everybody is counting their chances as next to zero. In fact, British bookies have Denmark rated as the longest shot to a title (which is a little harsh given some of the other teams in the draw, but, still, a reflection on how tough Group B is and how tough a Euro is (compared to, say the WC...). Also, as others have pointed out, the Qualifying record is meaningless with a team like ours. We play toughest in the do-or-die pressure of a tournament and although a major title has eluded us, our record in major tournaments is very strong over the last dozen years. On that note, this article, argues that this is the toughest Group of Death "ever"! http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ro-rogers_euro_2012_ronaldo_portugal_group_death_120211 Ah, perhaps a little hyperbole, but when you consider the current form of Holland and Germany plus the sheer potential that Portugal brings to the table (and the fact that Denmark can, and has, beat everybody else in the group) this is truly an incredibly tough group. On the other hand, this just reflects how much tougher the Euro is than the WC - no North Korea, Angola or New Zealand minnows here... I am looking forward to it. As others have said - pressure will be lower than usual on us. No expectations (except for poor Ronaldo). Anything can happen, and if we get out of the group it'll be a huge accomplishment and the reward will be sweet (one of the minnows in Group A). Assuming we have any players left after the 2 red cards and double-digit yellow cards that we'll inevitably collect during group play (and Holland), we should be set for a round or two! 1st game is against Germany, June 9th and the day before "Dia de Portugal". Let's bring me a good gift and make Camoes proud!!
Yea you are because the quarters are the next stage.. D: And the 2nd winner of group B could easily have Russia as opponent in the quarters and they're all but no minnow.
I can't remember having seen any group as tough as this, considering the current quality of both the German and Dutch team. Both Portugal and Denmark was quite unsatisfied by being seeded 3rd and 4th repectively, as they are normally rated higher. The danish trainer Morten Olsen said that the group lacks Spain to be "complete".... By the way, the article linked to, has Denmark as 3rd and Portugal last in the group.... Anyway all the teams in the group likes to play soccer, no Greece or Ukraine here, so we will be in for a very open and exiteing group.
3rd or 4th is the losers spot. There are always surprises and I can't stand these soccer analysts always giving their cookie cutter analysis of this tournament. I'd laugh if Portugal and Denmark went through.
Well, we'd laugh together..... Apart from being the toughest group, I think it is also the most equal - everybody can qualify from this group, with Netherlands and Germany as weak favorites. I haven't read any commentaries from Holland, but Joakim Löw was not amused by the draw. As far I can read, most people in this forum thinks that Germany will be Portugals biggest challenge. I think Portugal goes quite well with Germany. Their defence is not so robust as the dutch, and Germany likes to keep possesion - which should give Nani and CR some good chances on the counter - I think that is a quite even game, as chances are concerned.
I consider it a good omen to have Denmark in our group afterall we won our only international title at senior level, in that glorious 1995 day at the Sky Dome (now Rogers Centre) in Toronto, Ontatio Canada. when Paulo Alves struck the winner against Denmark to claim the SKYDOME CUP... this often overloooked victory is what gave Portuguese football the confidence to compete and qualify for euro 1996 and all future tournaments, except the 98 WC.
Ok, you win. You made me look up Skydome Cup... ROFL. If only you used your powers for good not evil...
Oh how nice that would be! Those dumb English commentators would be dumbfounded and wouldn't know what to say. Always talking bad about Portugal on National and Club levels. Hope we have a great run like the 2004 Euro. Can honestly say that that tournament was the ice breaker to my passion for soccer. This is the kind of group that can end up in any order. 4 quality teams with potential to all be in the 1st Pot. Only time will tell. Hope Paulo Bento gets his act together...
Anytime Porto play in the Champions league or Europa League, those english commentators just make fun of Helton ALL the time. He isn't the worlds best goalie by any means and does have an awkward style but he is much better than most EPL goalies.
To be fair, Helton gives me the jitters at the Champions League. He's often much below the standard he is in the league or last year's EL.
The inability to find a "legitimate striker" might hurt our chances. Been saying this. Look at the past three tourney, just imagine if we had a sold striker who can get clutch goals... If Gomes/Postiga/Almeida are our best. We're in trouble land.
3 CB questions: 1) Anyone else puzzled that Bruno Alves didn't start against Porto a couple of days ago? I don't follow Zenit but every time I've caught a game this season he has seemed to be riding the bench. What's going on? 2) I don't have a link but I saw that Rolando was nominated as one of the top 50 UEFA players from last season. I was not an early fan of his but I had started coming around this past year or so. And then we had those two games against Iceland and Denmark... Don't know what to think - is it a matter of bad understanding with Bruno Alves (but didn't they overlap at some point in Porto 2 or 3 years ago?!) or has Rolando fallen off a bit this year? I am inclined to think the later as Alves/Pepe partnership in playoffs against Bosnia seemed more solid but I am not totally convinced Alves at this point is a better choice than Carvalho (not that the later is an option anymore, of course - just saying...). 3) WTF is this CB Pedro Mendes who came on as a substitute for Real Madrid yesterday. Apparently he's on loan from Sporting and he's only 21 years-old. I assume he must be good enough if he's popping up the Real Madrid squad. Can anyone clear this up?
1. Alves has not been an automatic starter for Zenit but he has played the majority of the games 2. Rolando is average with the ability to play well every once in a while. Manuel Da Costa is a much better option. 3. Sporting were going to release him until Real Madrid inquired about a season long loan. Mourinho hasnt got the best record with young portuguese talent so i wouldn't count on this kid holding down a consistent spot in the squad.