Comments on: What’s next? http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/whats-next.html Portugal - World Cup 2010 - South Africa Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:25:58 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Luis Paulo http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/whats-next.html/comment-page-1#comment-134 Luis Paulo Tue, 28 Mar 2006 19:39:31 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/group-d/whats-next.html#comment-134 There is no need to be sorry at all. I unterstood you point. But I also disagree with it. No predictions can be sure. I only said that was a 50-50 chance because I predict that Portugal would beat Ivory Coast and Netherlands but not Argentina and Serbia. Of course, that is just a prediction. When you are guessing, you gotta take some chances. I could be wrong. It's very hard to predict games like that where you have two fine teams but, I had to choose one. There is no need to be sorry at all. I unterstood you point. But I also disagree with it. No predictions can be sure. I only said that was a 50-50 chance because I predict that Portugal would beat Ivory Coast and Netherlands but not Argentina and Serbia. Of course, that is just a prediction. When you are guessing, you gotta take some chances. I could be wrong. It’s very hard to predict games like that where you have two fine teams but, I had to choose one.

]]> By: Luis http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/whats-next.html/comment-page-1#comment-133 Luis Tue, 28 Mar 2006 19:33:55 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/group-d/whats-next.html#comment-133 Sorry I wasn't trying to be technical here. Just a basic observation. Once you get past the group stage, anything can happen. I'm all for preparation and analysis, but how many teams have seen their plans fall apart moments after the opening whistle. Sorry I wasn’t trying to be technical here. Just a basic observation. Once you get past the group stage, anything can happen. I’m all for preparation and analysis, but how many teams have seen their plans fall apart moments after the opening whistle.

]]> By: Luis Paulo http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/whats-next.html/comment-page-1#comment-131 Luis Paulo Tue, 28 Mar 2006 19:08:49 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/group-d/whats-next.html#comment-131 I don't belive that every team has a 50 - 50 chance. Sorry but that's normally the looser speach. It's important to know what you can and can't do. Figure out your goals and try to overcame then. But you need to know what are your odds so you can adapet your game by the following opponents. I don’t belive that every team has a 50 – 50 chance. Sorry but that’s normally the looser speach. It’s important to know what you can and can’t do. Figure out your goals and try to overcame then. But you need to know what are your odds so you can adapet your game by the following opponents.

]]> By: Luis http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/whats-next.html/comment-page-1#comment-128 Luis Tue, 28 Mar 2006 16:05:00 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/group-d/whats-next.html#comment-128 We must understand that the dark cloud is our national discourse. It's our unique trial. To be Portuguese is to fight on against the odds -- with our backs to the sea and surrounded by enemies. :-) We have learned enough lessons. We have the perfect balance of experience and raw youthful talent. We have a better leader. In my opinion, every team has a 50 - 50 chance going in, but this time it is there for us to take. The conditions are right. Euro2004 hurt, but it made me more hopeful then ever that our moment has almost arrived. Forca Portugal! We must understand that the dark cloud is our national discourse. It’s our unique trial. To be Portuguese is to fight on against the odds — with our backs to the sea and surrounded by enemies. :-)
We have learned enough lessons. We have the perfect balance of experience and raw youthful talent. We have a better leader. In my opinion, every team has a 50 – 50 chance going in, but this time it is there for us to take. The conditions are right. Euro2004 hurt, but it made me more hopeful then ever that our moment has almost arrived. Forca Portugal!

]]> By: Pedro P http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/whats-next.html/comment-page-1#comment-126 Pedro P Mon, 27 Mar 2006 20:29:26 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/group-d/whats-next.html#comment-126 :-) We also say that in here. I would say they are affraid of winning... But not of facing the worse of the worse. This is also what I mean. Never underestimate your oponnent, know you have to WANT IT and know what you can and what you cannot do. But NEVER loose faith and believe. Look at the german teams... They can be loosing 10-0, pouring rain. Will they start whinning? No! They run and run and try and try till they fall. And they'll be the last to fall. The obligation you mention, comes from knowing your own value and the other's as well. OK, I'm getting philosophical here... :-) :-) We also say that in here.

I would say they are affraid of winning… But not of facing the worse of the worse.

This is also what I mean. Never underestimate your oponnent, know you have to WANT IT and know what you can and what you cannot do. But NEVER loose faith and believe. Look at the german teams… They can be loosing 10-0, pouring rain. Will they start whinning? No! They run and run and try and try till they fall. And they’ll be the last to fall. The obligation you mention, comes from knowing your own value and the other’s as well.

OK, I’m getting philosophical here… :-)

]]> By: Luis Paulo http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/whats-next.html/comment-page-1#comment-124 Luis Paulo Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:46:13 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/group-d/whats-next.html#comment-124 Here in Brazil we say "Gato escaldado tem medo até de água fria" = "Scalded cat get scared even by cold water". And that is what see in Portugal. They had so many unexpected defeats that they are afraid of anything. For the last WC experience Portugal should be aware but yet confident. It's that "behave like winners" that we were talking about before. Portugal has to step in the field respecting his opponents but knowing that they have the obligation to win those games. Here in Brazil we say “Gato escaldado tem medo até de água fria” = “Scalded cat get scared even by cold water”. And that is what see in Portugal. They had so many unexpected defeats that they are afraid of anything.

For the last WC experience Portugal should be aware but yet confident. It’s that “behave like winners” that we were talking about before. Portugal has to step in the field respecting his opponents but knowing that they have the obligation to win those games.

]]> By: Pedro P http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/whats-next.html/comment-page-1#comment-123 Pedro P Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:29:11 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/group-d/whats-next.html#comment-123 Luis, all of this is true. Believe me, I don't wish to bring a negative cloud over the heads of all of us. It is also true that, with the exception of EC00 - where we had a coach who actually had an own style and its own views and the results were there - NOW it's the only time we have somebody and the steer that has shown all its worth. BUT STILL... "Cautela e caldos de galinha nunca fizeram mal a ninguém" = Caution and chicken soap never made anybody no harm... :-) And we must stay real no mattter what and NEVER NEVER underestimate our oponents. The world's full of other cats, as eager as we, to get the big mug! Luis, all of this is true. Believe me, I don’t wish to bring a negative cloud over the heads of all of us. It is also true that, with the exception of EC00 – where we had a coach who actually had an own style and its own views and the results were there – NOW it’s the only time we have somebody and the steer that has shown all its worth.

BUT STILL…

“Cautela e caldos de galinha nunca fizeram mal a ninguém” = Caution and chicken soap never made anybody no harm… :-) And we must stay real no mattter what and NEVER NEVER underestimate our oponents. The world’s full of other cats, as eager as we, to get the big mug!

]]> By: Luis Paulo http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/whats-next.html/comment-page-1#comment-122 Luis Paulo Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:13:49 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/group-d/whats-next.html#comment-122 Pedro. The diffence here is that Greece, Korea and USA are much better teams then Iran or Angola. Hey, in 94 South Arabia defeated Belgium. Surprises sometimes happens. But Portugal has faced too many surprise already. Iran was the third in the most week qualify. Angola couldn't even take Congo in the last African Cup of Nations. If Portugal gets surprise once again, they do not deserve our trust anymore. They should had learn that already. Pedro. The diffence here is that Greece, Korea and USA are much better teams then Iran or Angola. Hey, in 94 South Arabia defeated Belgium. Surprises sometimes happens. But Portugal has faced too many surprise already. Iran was the third in the most week qualify. Angola couldn’t even take Congo in the last African Cup of Nations. If Portugal gets surprise once again, they do not deserve our trust anymore. They should had learn that already.

]]> By: Pedro P http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/whats-next.html/comment-page-1#comment-121 Pedro P Mon, 27 Mar 2006 18:16:54 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/group-d/whats-next.html#comment-121 Another thing I wish to stress once again, is the SURPRISE effect. Consider this: EC04 we were together with Spain, Greece and Russia. Everybody said it would surelly be POR & SPA or RUS, because Greece didn't stand a chance. We all saw what happened. WC02 we were with Korea, USA and POL. Everybody said it was "customized" for Portugal and the hosts. We all saw what happened... EC00 we were with England, Germany and Romania, so we were doomed from the start. We went through as group leaders, ENG and GER went home... SO, I mean, I don't find what you said to be arrogant. I'm just too used to things not going as planned... On the positive side, IF we DO go through as group leaders and reach the knockout stage, I'm pretty sure we have the potential to go as far as any other, including Brazil. And I still fear more Italy than Brazil, simply because of the way the two teams can "fit" to each other. In the knockout stage, pretty much anything can happen. Another thing I wish to stress once again, is the SURPRISE effect. Consider this:

EC04 we were together with Spain, Greece and Russia. Everybody said it would surelly be POR & SPA or RUS, because Greece didn’t stand a chance. We all saw what happened.

WC02 we were with Korea, USA and POL. Everybody said it was “customized” for Portugal and the hosts. We all saw what happened…

EC00 we were with England, Germany and Romania, so we were doomed from the start. We went through as group leaders, ENG and GER went home…

SO, I mean, I don’t find what you said to be arrogant. I’m just too used to things not going as planned…

On the positive side, IF we DO go through as group leaders and reach the knockout stage, I’m pretty sure we have the potential to go as far as any other, including Brazil. And I still fear more Italy than Brazil, simply because of the way the two teams can “fit” to each other.

In the knockout stage, pretty much anything can happen.

]]> By: Pedro P http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/whats-next.html/comment-page-1#comment-120 Pedro P Mon, 27 Mar 2006 18:08:17 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/group-d/whats-next.html#comment-120 Even worse that this, is the fact that if BRA goes all the way to the last 4, and if POR also reaches the last 4, the chance of them meeting is very big. Check it out... Even worse that this, is the fact that if BRA goes all the way to the last 4, and if POR also reaches the last 4, the chance of them meeting is very big. Check it out…

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