Thug talk leads to UEFA inquiry and airport scuffle

I find this whole thing ridiculous…

On a different note, e-newspaper “Mais Futebol” suggests P Ferreira will start as left back, together with H Almeida and H Viana. They were the “practice starting team” plus Ricardo, Carvalho, Andrade, Miguel, Petit, Tiago, Ronaldo and Quaresma. Later, Gomes replaced Almeida, Moutinho replaced Petit and Nani replaced Viana. http://www.maiseuro2008.iol.pt/noticia.php?id=788970&div_id=1391

Scolari also called some SCP juniors for the practice. He does this often (not just from SCP), to have enough players for practice and also to very slowly introduce kids to this scenario – I find this brilliant, actually, cos the kids get to feel it’s not an inaccessible spot and play with the older, and they also feel that they count and, in fact, they do help out a lot. They were this time: Adrien Silva and Rui Lopes (midfielders) and Vasco (full back). Must say I don’t have a clue about who they are BUT PT did win the U17 sometime ago… http://www.thefa.com/England/U17s/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/05/European_U17_Championship.htm

Posted from  Netherlands

U21 to face Slovakia today – just check the line-up http://www.ojogo.pt/23-30/artigo619151.asp

Spurs are after Nani http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/6483203.stm and I’ve also read somewhere else, they’ve offered 10 million (E) for him but that SCP are asking for 20 to let him go… (PT) http://www.ojogo.pt/

I’ve said before I’d like to see Nani go to ENG, in order to get the chances he’ll hardly have with SCP. We do not know if Tottenham is the ideal team for it. After all, with SCP he’ll almost always get to the UEFA cup, and is very likelly to start the champs, even if they don’t pass groups stage. I think TH provides less international spotlights but a harder and stronger domestic league. BBC calls him the new CR but, as we all know, there’s a see of difference, starting with the style. Which is totally different… Nani is an att mid that plays wide very well, distributes relativelly well, not an excellent finisher but he scores ocasionally and serves very well. He’s also got a lot of technique. Still needs to mature a bit. CR is an acomplished hard-core winger… In Spurs, he’d be playing together with Ricardo Rocha (the former Benfica defender, that eliminated Liverpool and Man Utd last year – must say that when Benfica played Barcelona, for the semis, RR was the guy marking Ronaldinho) who I think, isn’t really impressing neither the english nor Scolari… Also not me, judging from his last game against Chelsea. BUT I did like seeing him against Barcelona, in May last year.

I also really, really hope Manuel Fernandes makes it in Everton (I think it’s Everton), cos he had a lot of bad luck and was stopped for a long time, due to injury + tranfer fuss between Benfica and Portsmouth…

Posted from  Netherlands

Excellent work Pedro!

It looks like Scolari is not practicing the conservative option of Tiago in playmaker role. Seeing Nani in that role would be very interesting indeed.

I’ve always been a fan of Viana, but he needs to step up his pace, hopefully his time in Spain has quickened his play. With wingers like Ronaldo and Quaresma/Simao, just keep distributing the ball to them.

FORCA PORTUGAL.

Posted from  Canada

Status update on all the smack talkin’. The Belgian FA has come out publicly and condemned Stijnen for his ridiculous statements(pt)

Posted from  United States

Maybe this whole situation will work out in our favour because the Belgian team will be so afraid of giving the impression that they are trying to hurt Ronaldo that they will back right off him and give him space to run at them. If that happens than it may be CR and Portugal who are “massacring” Belgium! I am so excited that spring is coming and international football is back that I broke out my football today and started kicking it around in the mud. After I ruined a pair of running shoes however I realized that it may still be a bit early so I will leave the playing to the NT! I am so excited about tomorrow it is going to be a really tough game and a good test for our young team however I know we can get the points we need, I have faith in Scolari and the team! Forca Portugal!!!

Posted from  Canada

Good luck to Seleccao tomorrow!
Forca Portugal!

Absolutely brilliant!!

4-0 and the better team certainly won

not only was the score impressive, but the manner in which the game was played as well

if we keep this up, qualification should be a given

but its serbia away next and they definately won’t be as easy

what did you guys think?

Posted from  United States

That definitely fits into the brilliant category!! I was a little nervous that we were wasteful in the first half but it was only a matter of time once the first goal went in! Great game by all, that should boost confidence for the Serbia game and hopefully we can come through this stretch with full points! It is also fantastic the Serbia lost today, all in all a great day! Congrats boys you really made me proud!!

Posted from  Canada

I was worried when the game started, but the team seemed so secure and they got it under control so perfectly well that I wasn’t afraid of anything.
The only dangerous moment was maybe the appearance of debutant Thomas Chatelle (or whatever his name is).
A perfect evening for all Portuguese people. Let’s continue like that, it makes us proud.
FORÇA SELECÇÃO!

Posted from  Austria

New reports about Deco possibly going to Man Utd.

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/6606258?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=177

Posted from  Canada