[RedEagle]

WHAT A TEAM! With nothing to play for they still trash the Germans, who as I said, are complete utter crap! VIVA PORTUGAL.

Side note, the second best team in the group ROmania also advanced. ENGLAND OUT!

No more Hooligans!

BTW our leading scorer plays for the top rated Serie A team and rides the bench on this team! What does that tell you about our quality!

WHat a team...it's destined for greatness!

 

[Thuram1]

FORCA PORTUGAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!



FORCA CONCEICAO!!!!!!!!

 

[Razor]

Brazilians..er..I mean - "The Italians of Iberia"!

Screw the "Brazilians of Europe" label - Portugal played like the old great Italian sides today! Lock down on defense, watch for the inevitable breakdown in the back and strike swiftly on the transition. Result? Less than 40% of the possession, but a 3-0 win. Classic! This team is showing that they know how to win in all sorts of games. They've showed that they can play all kinds of tempos in each of the 3 games.

I am thrilled - but I am even more impressed!

A couple of observations:

- Although he wasn't really challenged that much, I don't think playing Espinha instead of Bahia would be a bad thing if it became necessary. I thought he looked pretty comfortable.

- I think Vidigal has to get the start next week - Paulo Sousa seemed rusty and ineffective to me.

- Although Beto seemed rusty to start, I though he had a fantastic 2nd half. If Xavier can't go on Saturday, I think Coelho will play him instead of Secretario (he should, anyway!)

- As great as Conceicao played, I think he's more valuable as the first substitute in; both psychologcally and for a change-of-pace. How do you feel if Figo and Rui Costa are running you around in circles for 60 minutes, then they bring out a fresh Sergio Conceicao who just scored 3 against Germany for a joke with the second-string team? Devastating!

- I think Nuno Gomes has to get the start vs. Turkey. Pauleta was ineffective, and I think Sa Pinto didn't really shine until he was playing more of a midfield role during the 2nd half.

- Hats off to Costa and Couto - again, they were the team's strength in the back.

My two other favorite parts of the game:

- The smile on Couto's face as he was rubbing Jancker's head

- Whatever bragging Sergio was directing to the Portuguese bench after his hat-trick. I can't read lips, but I'm sure it had something to do about his 2nd-team status.

FORCA PORTUGAL!

[Edited by Razor on 20-06-2000 at 23:23]

 

[hala]

Congratulations to Portugal for a historic victory! They sure disgraced the conceited Germans...
... and made the rest of us VERY HAPPY!!!

I wish you to get to the final along with the French.

Go Portugal! Destroy the Turks!

 

[LadyEagle]

VIVA PORTUGAL !!!
I am so proud...



btw-I am also glad that England is out.

 

[Razor]

I'm actually somewhat dissapointed - I think Romania will give my beloved Italia trouble. England would have been an easier match for the nerazurri, but after the sense of entitlement that the English seemed to have about their presumed "free pass" to the finals, I'm glad they're out.

On an unfortunate note - I have a rather dismal theory that I hope will be proven wrong before the sun sets. With England out, and therefore no danger of being disqualified due to the stupidity of some of its fans - I fear this may give the hooligans free rein to tear up the streets, as they now literally have nothing left to lose.

I pray I'm wrong...

 

[Dan]

I totally agree with you Razor on most things you say, and yes, it has hilarious when Couto rubbed Wan...i mean Jancker's slap head!! The look on Jancker's face made me literally laugh my arse off!!

Match opinions:

Espinha 8- looked surpisingly secure in goal
Couto 8- solid and good in the air as usual
J.Costa 8- the rock was solid again
Beto 7- not bad but wasn't sure what role he was playing
R.Jorge 6- a bit dodgy. Deisler got too much space and got some dangerous crosses in the box
Sousa 7- still not 100% fit but I thought he played quite well. He seemed to be the only Portugal midfielder willing to close the Germams down in the 1st half
Costinha 7- not bad. Still needs more caps to his name
Capucho 7- He was ok but ineffective in his midfield role. He's better as a super sub
Sa Pinto 7- played ok. Chased balls down. Not bad. But Nuno plays vs Turkey
Pauleta 7- Ok. Looked comfortable - set up 1st goal. But missed1 great chance.
Conceicao 9- Man of the Match!! 3 goals! excellent! The dilemma for Coelho now is should he start vs Turkey?? Joint top scorer in Euro 2000.

It was a bit like an Italian performace, considering we rested half our team - its something we have to be very excited about - we have 2 world class teams - not just 1 - can Coelho blend in the righ formula to win Euro 2000? Lets hope so!

FORCA PORTUGAL!!!!!!! Proud

 

[SLB]

What the hell do u have to do to convince some one we are actually candidates to euro 2000, france this france that has anyone realised that portgugal have been better than france and proved they hav a great strenghth in depth.
Great performance.

PORTUGAL PARA O EURO DOIS MIL OLE OLE!!!!

 

[Guest]

Portugal played terrific against the weakest German team since WW II. Porutgal better than France???, ummmm, no, please don't get carried away, Portugal have now won the weakest group there was, now comes the serious work, although Turkey shouldn't really be a problem.

About the match:-
Pauleta just failed to convert Sergio Conceicao's cross. Pauleta played a one-two with Rui Jorge and seemed to miss hit his cross, the flight of the
ball rooted Kahn to his spot and Sergio Conceicao arrived to head in at the far post. I lost my satellite feed for the next 20 minutes due to a freak
rainstorm. Rocha sprayed the ball wide to Sergio Conceicao on the right flank, he cut infield and hit a weak shot fortunately Kahn probably made the
worst mistake of his career and the ball slipped through his fingers. Ok the ball bounced at the last minute but you would still expect a 'keeper of Kahn's class to save it. Pauleta failed to scored a deserved goal when he
volleyed Sa Pinto's cross into the ground. Kirsten somehow managed to head Rink's cross wide. Rocha intercepted a hospital pass and fed Sergio Conceicao to complete his hat-trick with a shot across goal.

Portugal's B team, they rested Rui Costa and Figo amongst others, were way too strong for Germany.

Man of the Match : Sergio Conceicao. I told you he was borderline World Class

 

[RedEagle]

First off group A was the toughest one. Let's not forget that most of you were picking Germany and England to advance, and the fact that "latin" football completely dominated this group, shouldn't take away from England and the defending champions Germany!

Just admit that Portugal along with France have been the best teams in this tournament!

On a side note, I would like to disagree with Razor. I think Conceicao's performance yesterday should have catapulted him into the starting line-up on Saturday! Hard work should be rewarded!

Also, I know that you all think Conceicao, Figo, and Rui Costa are the Portuguese stars, but to me the man for Portugal so far has been Fernando Couto!

He has completely shut down offenses with the way he reads plays and marks people.

Forca Couto!

 

[Dan]

Don't forget Jorge Costa too The pair of them have been so solid at the back so far.

I think Couto should mark Hakan Sukur because Couto has height and good arial ability to mark him.

If Conceicao fails to play vs Turkey - he must think - "what do I have to do to get into the team?". This can affect his mentallity and spread to others that the team almost picks itself and this is a problem England have had with talent failing to get into the team because reputation comes before form......but then again Camacho always picks his squads and teams generally on form....and that has worked wonders in qualifiers but that 4-3 win today was lucky.

 

[Game Rod]

Nice to be back, loads of work recently

Nice to be back again! Portugal has been playing sweeeeet!!

About the last show (worst German score in around 10 years or so...poor fellas haha!):

I think Pauleta played well but was a bit unlucky.
Paulo Sousa isn't still at his best, since he's been out of field for some months. But I think he'll be in the first team tomorrow. I hope he recovers well.

Sérgio Conceição is a "problem". He's one great player, but his position/role seems to be a little similar to Figo's.
Can they both play at the same time? On the other hand, how can you leave out a player who had a hat trick against "almighty" (allousy nowadays) Germany?

Honestly, I think that one of Coelho's major problems is
how to pick up a team with so many top excelent players. Lucky coach!

WE'VE GOT CHAMPIONS COMING UP!!!!

note: in Euro Championships the only players (4 I think) who scored hat tricks were in the wining teams. This time it shouldn't be an exception!