YOUR 23 Men Who Will Try to Bring Home the Glory This Summer

I agree…I’m definitely surprised Maniche isn’t there. I can see Postiga, but really?! No Maniche? He’s not my favorite or anything but I wonder what’s up.

btw did Costinha retire or has he just not played in awhile?

Aside from the obvious bummers (Petit and NoNo being included) Maniche’s absence in BS, likely a mistake. I’m not overly shocked about Caneira since there are two guys there that can play on either side and they are more attacking type defenders, third winger type guys.

Greg I’ll have you know that through my big mouth, you have all of southern ontarion referring to Gomes as No No Golos, or other similar variations of this name. Did you see that header he missed yesterday, the entire net was left gaping as he sailed it over the bar…the commentator made a great point, something happened to this guy when he left for Fiorentina… He’s never been the same since.

i’ve decided to become his biggest fan this summer…that way if he actually scores, i’ll feel really smart.

Posted from  United States

I reckon Nuno Gomes will shut ur faces for slaggin the man off, hes not the best but at least he is better than any of our other options, he scored for portugal b4 and will do it again, as simple as that. Im indeed surprised maniche isnt there, hes just someone whos gota be there, he scores goals for cryin out loud…i dunno whether veloso is gonna be a better choice …

Posted from  United Kingdom

what are the numbers for the players are they goin to give ronaldo the number 7 jersey

Posted from  Australia

No Maniche? What if we face the Dutch, then what? =(

Ugh, I hope Petit warms up on the bench throughout the entire tournament.

Posted from  Canada

I have to say I´m not really surprised. For what I´ve seen in the papers, back in PT most criticism also falls on Petit, Nu no Go(als)mes and Rui Patrício, although I think that Rui Patrício isn´t that bad and he´s also young, so I´d pick him as well. He´s only going to see the view anyway.

The only surprise for me was not to see Maniche. I also prefer Meireles to go than Maniche but I thought Scolari would go for experience. Maniche has the backbone to decide machtes, like he did in 04 and 06. But during qualification he wasn´t that strong and there were even a lot of matches he didn´t play. I say it´s good he took the gamble on Meireles, who is also pretty solid. For experience and questionable performance, we already have Gomes. Petit isn´t brilliant but when he´s not there we always miss him. Veloso is very good and really helps a lot in switching from defense to build up an attack. But he´s still young and I hope he doesn´t make stupid mistakes. I also hope Postiga is in a good mood…

Posted from  Netherlands

BTW, here´s my starting XI: Ricardo, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Bruno Alves, Jorge Ribeiro, Petit, Veloso (or Moutinho), Deco, C Ronaldo, Nani, H Almeida
On these 23 we have half of Chelsea´s defense and a lot of Man Utd´s attack, so some chunk of the Champ League final are here.

Posted from  Netherlands

That’s a sweet Starting XI, Pedro

Pedro, you think Scolari will go with Nani over Quaresma or Simao?

personally I think Scolari will choose Simao….though I would prefer Quaresma. I like Man U but I don’t think Nani is up for it yet…as he displayed a couple of weeks ago I think he’s still too immature

I really hope Almeida starts…if nothing else at least he is younger, stronger, taller, and faster than No No Golos (it really is catching on)

Plus he has a sick tattoo of a cruz on his right forearm

Btw, I know it doesn’t matter now that the list is out and done…but does anyone know what happened to Manuel Fernandes’ chances? I was watching the Newcastle – Everton game this past weekend and he was tearing it up.

I saw him take every corner and every freekick…good tackles and decent passes too

portugal will win

Posted from  Malaysia

I think how players have performed in big tournaments really makes a difference, and for that reason, i really think Gomes will come good when it matters (though i think he would benefit from playing with Almeida); Pauleta has been banging in goals for whatever club he’s played for, and by the bucket loads in qualification, but never put in a good performance in a major tournament against a big team (with all respect to Poland and Angola); Gomes may have been crap at Benfica and in qualification, but in the big games, he scores…England, France, Spain, Germany.
To that extent, i’m disappointed Maniche isn’t there because he’s always one of the best (if not the best) players of the tournament (let alone the team). He’d had an absolutely pants season in 05/06, in the latter half not getting a look in at Chelsea, and screwing up when he did, but at the World Cup he was immense…and he would have been at this year’s Euro.
Having said all that, a midfield of Veloso, Deco, and Meira/Petit/Meireles is both solid and creative, and on the wings we are unmatched, with a brilliant defence (only short of world class because of no proven left back, and a flappy goalie). FORCA PORTUGAL

Posted from  United Kingdom

gomes will do fine in this tournament..he has enough experience and talent in him to be in the startin 11 ahead of almeida or postiga.I feel the real problem lies in midfield.a bit light weight there..with no maniche or costhina there seems to be a lack of a leader in the centre of midfield..Deco, veloso and moutinho lack consistancy this season too.. Portugal may struggle bcos of tt and also the group is quite tough in my opinion with turkey and czech in it.. Ronaldo does not perform on big games too so tt’s another thing to b worried abt..

Posted from  Singapore

@Nelson: it’s the 11 I’d pick. Not necessarily who I think Scolari will place. I think he’ll start with Ricardo, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Alves, Ferreira, Petit, (?), Deco, CR, Simão and Gomes. Being conservative I think he’ll go for Meireles or Veloso, on the (?) spot.

Posted from  Netherlands

Wait. How come I don’t have a ticket for the bus? Guys? Hey where are you going?

Posted from  Canada

I am Portuguese and my staritng XI is:

…………………………Quim (The best portuguese goalkeeper/ Scolari don’t want to see that because he like too much Ricardo)……………………………
…………………………………………………………………
Bosingwa………Carvalho………..Pepe (or Bruno Alves)……Paulo Ferreira
…………………………………………………………………..
Deco…………….João Moutinho…Raúl Meireles (Petit is playing very bad)
…………………………………………………………………..
Cristiano Ronaldo………….Hugo Almeida…………..Simão (or Quaresma)

Posted from  Portugal

Maniche not being on the team is disappointing as he has scored many clutch goals over the last 2 tournaments but Portugal has still selected a strong group we may have our strongest defense ever sent to a tournament and D is the key in any tournament.

My starting 11 would be:

Ricardo (Should be Quim but it wont be)
Bosingwa
Carvalho
Alves or Meira (Meira played well WC06)
Ferreira
Meireles
Petit
Ronaldo
Deco or Moutinho (Moutinho has had great year, Deco not so much)
Simao
Almeida

Posted from  Canada