Well, I'm already loving the confidence that this man is bringing to Euro. Check out the attached article....
VIVA PORTUGAL!
Updated Wednesday May 31, 2000
Last chance for 'golden' boys
Once hailed as the 'Brazilians of Europe', Euro 2000 represents the last chance for some of the continent's most skillful players to prove themselves on the big international stage.
Names like Luis Figo, Rui Costa, Paulo Sousa and Joao Pinto may trip off the tongue like a who's who of major club football, but Portugal still only reached the finals as best runners-up from the qualification groups behind Romania, who they must now face again in Arnhem on June 17.
Coach Humberto Coelho has already been firing off the early shots in the war of minds, saying England's pre-tournament friendly performances have given him little cause for concern, and pin-pointing Alan Shearer as a diver.
His own team has also given him ground for optimism: 'We go with the aim of winning - I have complete confidence in my players,' he says. Indeed the former international defender's team selections would seem to support this confidence for he has fielded virtually the same team since taking over from Antonio Oliveira.
Portugal will be hoping to repeat the 3-0 thumping of Croatia in the group stage of Euro 96, rather than their tame quarter-final exit at the hands of eventual finalists the Czech Republic. Added incentive is that they will be desperate to enhance their reputation ahead of the next finals which they host in 2004.
This may be dependent on finding a cutting-edge attack to complement the creative genius that Coelho can boast in midfield, with much hope being pinned upon striker Nuno Gomes. Behind the Benfica youngster the coach has Lazio's Sergio Conceicao lining up with Costa of Fiorentina, Figo of Barcelona and Sousa of Inter Milan.
At the back, Conceicao's clubmate Fernando Couto and Porto's Jorge Costa provide a backbone of experience standing in front of Bobby Robson's favourite goalkeeper, Vitor Baia.
All of which adds up to a wealth of talent that will have most coaches at Euro 2000 gushing with praise, but with many players now either approaching or in their thirties it will be their final opportunity for glory. It will not have been a golden era for Portugal if they emerge from this tournament with nothing.
VIVA PORTUGAL!
Updated Wednesday May 31, 2000
Last chance for 'golden' boys
Once hailed as the 'Brazilians of Europe', Euro 2000 represents the last chance for some of the continent's most skillful players to prove themselves on the big international stage.
Names like Luis Figo, Rui Costa, Paulo Sousa and Joao Pinto may trip off the tongue like a who's who of major club football, but Portugal still only reached the finals as best runners-up from the qualification groups behind Romania, who they must now face again in Arnhem on June 17.
Coach Humberto Coelho has already been firing off the early shots in the war of minds, saying England's pre-tournament friendly performances have given him little cause for concern, and pin-pointing Alan Shearer as a diver.
His own team has also given him ground for optimism: 'We go with the aim of winning - I have complete confidence in my players,' he says. Indeed the former international defender's team selections would seem to support this confidence for he has fielded virtually the same team since taking over from Antonio Oliveira.
Portugal will be hoping to repeat the 3-0 thumping of Croatia in the group stage of Euro 96, rather than their tame quarter-final exit at the hands of eventual finalists the Czech Republic. Added incentive is that they will be desperate to enhance their reputation ahead of the next finals which they host in 2004.
This may be dependent on finding a cutting-edge attack to complement the creative genius that Coelho can boast in midfield, with much hope being pinned upon striker Nuno Gomes. Behind the Benfica youngster the coach has Lazio's Sergio Conceicao lining up with Costa of Fiorentina, Figo of Barcelona and Sousa of Inter Milan.
At the back, Conceicao's clubmate Fernando Couto and Porto's Jorge Costa provide a backbone of experience standing in front of Bobby Robson's favourite goalkeeper, Vitor Baia.
All of which adds up to a wealth of talent that will have most coaches at Euro 2000 gushing with praise, but with many players now either approaching or in their thirties it will be their final opportunity for glory. It will not have been a golden era for Portugal if they emerge from this tournament with nothing.
