This has proven to be wrong, both of them scored a crucial goal, to take Portugal as far as they are now! In fact, 4 of them plus Figo should always be in the starting line up...
Greece and Portugal deserve a place in the final http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=greeceportugald&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns
Portugal Keys to Victory 1. Pauleta, assuming he gets the nod, needs to convert the chances created. He has been a passenger so far and few teams can afford to play without a reliable centerforward. 2. Maniche's surging runs can provide the extra man in the Greek penalty area. 3. Ultimately, there is no substitute for genius. And, if you're a romantic, it would be wonderful if Rui Costa got his chance. Greece Keys to Victory 1. Use the set pieces. It's one of the few areas where the Greeks have the size advantage. 2. Just as he did against Thierry Henry and Milan Baros, Seitaridis must take his direct opponent out of the game. 3. Deco can be deadly. Theo Zagorakis and Angelos Basinas will need to shut him down. HEAD-TO-HEAD GOALKEEPER: Ricardo was the miracle man against England and can raise his game on the day, but Antonios Nikopolidis is more experienced. EDGE: Even DEFENSE: Ricardo Carvalho and Jorge Andrade have probably been the best defensive pairing in the tournament, while Miguel is dangerous going forward. Dellas, Kapsis, Seitaridis and Fissas have been heroic, but they are outpaced and outclassed. SLIGHT EDGE: Portugal MIDFIELD: Greece is busy and intense, but Portugal oozes class. Whether it's Deco or Figo, Ronaldo or Maniche, the host nation simply has too many weapons. EDGE: Portugal STRIKERS: Pauleta has been the weak link, despite his earnest work. Vryzas and Charisteas won't be mistaken for Ronaldo and Romario anytime soon, but at least they can finish. SLIGHT EDGE: Greece COACH: It's the world champion against the master tactician. Rehhagel has created a team in his own image, but Scolari has many, many tricks up his sleeve. SLIGHT EDGE: Portugal X-FACTOR: No matter how you spin it, being the host nation is a huge plus. And there is a reason why underdogs rarely win: Greece has already triumphed by getting to the final. EDGE: Portugal VERDICT: Portugal
Thanks for the shoutout, Frank...I have learned alot about the Selecao and Portuguese futebol in general just by reading the many great posts especially by O Estudante
I guessed correctly that the last game was determined by how quickly each team can counter attack. This game will be determined by whether we can score a goal early. As evident by their game against the Czechs, the longer this game drags on, the better the Greeks' chances. Although they are very confident when defending a lead, they don't have enough skill/firepower to play from behind. If we have a lead at half-time, then I can see the flood gates open up in the second half. The Greeks defend well as a unit, but they will have a hard time defending if we can their defenders isolated with counter attacks. I am curious if Scolari would start a even more attacking lineup, as the Greeks will not attack in numbers if the score is tied.
I guess Portugal has a bit advantage.Though Pauleta didn't find the Strike's feeling,now Portugal takes advantage of their Middles as France in1998.Greek was lucky,but either Czechs or France was the first time against Greek at Euro2004,Portugal will the second.so Scolari can use more effectual tactics against Greek.
.................................................................................... Portugal did a great job considering they've played in ..10 men every game!! Pauletta was a complete waste!! I;m surprised at this great coach Scolari wasting a spot like that eveygame! Simao, Postiga, petit, Costa they all could do a better job from the begining! Pauletta is complettely out of it! I hope Scolari payed the ransom to the pauleta family and use Simao! lol The greeks will eat Pauletta alive! Good luck, guys!!
very well said, I agree with you 100% if we can score first then its open season on the Greeks… in the last game against Holland, Portugal finally started to shot from outside the 18yrd box.. for years I’ve watched the mid-field work their arse off just to reach the top of the box and try for that beautiful give and go and it never works, the goal scored by Maniche and the shot that Figo took were awesome. Lets hope that they come out and continue to shoot from that distance. LOL.. I hope so too..
I want him playing the position where he gets the ball constantly, close to the Greek goal and with space. If I were Scolari, my game plan would start with figuring out how to accomplish that task. Then I would fit everybody else in around that plan. Then again, Big Phil seems to do pretty well without my help.
Yes he does, but still, Ronaldo is the magic card in Scolari's hand, and he should use it - it's our last chance in this tournament to witness his magic - no second chances!
Portugal fans planning a human chain to the stadium http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_y...A--?slug=reu-eurochain&prov=reuters&type=lgns
UmMmMm wait a sec isn't the last game held in Estadio De Luz A benfica stadium??? p:s VIVA PORTUGAL!! PORTUGAL ALE! PORTUGAL ALE! and CRISTIANO RONALDO is SOO HOTT!!! SO IS MOREIRA!!!
LOL funny thing is ppl think i look like c ronaldo i dont see how i do but everyone says i do anywaz th sis the first game im kinda confident about..but knowing my luck...
Maybe they'll make a stopover in Porto on the way to the ground. Or maybe just up to Caldas da Rainha.
Já Começou! Locals horseback riders were the first galloping with the Selecção bus following from Alcochete until N14 were people started to gather side by side. The bus is escorted by GNR on motocycles, but at many instances there is GNR on foot to keep people away from the bus. I can't await to see the bus near the bridge. Força Portugal!
They are about to finish crosssing Ponte Vasco da Gama. Tens of thousands of people linning the roads, the bus is followed now by thousands of motorcycles. During the cross of the bridge there were many speed boats on the river Tagus, helicopters in the air, airplane doing acrobatics, and asas delta. the bus is already half hour late compared to previous games. The way through the city of Lisbon is uncertain according to TV.
Already at Luz Stadium. The Portuguese bus arrived minutes before the Greek. The referee and players are on the field now walking about. Game starts in a little over 1 hour.
Pauleta will play again. Something tells me that he'll be substituted at some point in the match. Força Portugal!!!
Miguel is hurt. He's being taken out of the match. So far, the pace is favoring the Greeks. Somebody must score a goal. Ferreira for Miguel
Halftime 0-0 I'm not feeling good about this. Scolari is going to have to figure out the Greek defense ASAP.
Portugal started very well, but as we have seen in previous games the Greeks improve as the game goes on and toward the end of the first half they certainly had the initiative. A few scares already. Costinha has a yellow and the Greeks are getting by with their fouls.