A Bola March 26, 2009
Last Sunday, March 21, 2009, Benfica won the Taça da Liga final Sporting 1-1 Benfica (2-3 g.p). It's the last trophy in the picture. See photos of him in that final. Video of him with the trophy after the final whistle.
English translation:
Nuno Gomes has already conquered all the national titles
I'M PROUD OF ALL OF THEM
"We're still fighting to get more successes this season."
Video Portugal training session march 26, 2009
00:00 - 00:10 Deco training by himself
00:20- 00:30 The Portugal players Nani, form a distance, some wear a red training vest.
01:02 Swedish journalist speaking in English. I thought it was hillarious that he said that all the team is dangerous except the front-man, Hugo Almeida. It's the truth. He hasn't scored not even in every 2 games under Carlos Queiroz.
01:09 Players with yellow vest and red vest. Can recognize Carvalho on the left and Moao Moutinho with his back to the camera. Daniel Fernandes in goal.
02:00 Fans watching the training saying who they like the most.
02:34 Players walking out of the hotel for an aerobic group walk. Can recognize Cristiano Ronaldo, behind him Joao Moutinho, Edinho, and another player reading the newspaper.
I hope that Edinho can be the revelation like Pepe in the Euro 2008. Hope he creates chances and converts at least 1!
Video Edinho interview in Portuguese March 26, 2009 about Saturday's game Portugal v. Sweden.
Noticed there were visits from Greece. Edinho plays in AEK and was a surprise call-up by Carlos Queiroz.
"I think that we'll have a good result on Saturday."
reporter: Do you feel more responsibility with this call-up?
"I think the responsibility exists since I've been here. I do believe in my quality and am confident that I can help the national team."
Video Pepe interview in Portuguese, March 26, 2009, 2 days before Portugal v. Sweden
Pepe: "We are very determined. It's a crucial game for the people. Therefore, we want to try to win this game."
Reporter: have you seen the video of Sewden, their style to prepare for this game?
Yes, special attention because this is a qualification match. We all know this is a difficult game.
Video Bruno Alves interview in Portuguese at Obidos,March 23, 2009 5 days before Portugal v. Sweden.
Bruno Alves: "I think there is always pressure. We always have to be pressured to win. When there is, it's good, and it helps us. We are used to dealing with that pressure."
(Acho que existe sempre pressão. Temos de estar sempre pressionados para ganhar. Quando existe é bom, ajuda-nos. Estamos habituados a lidar com essa pressão.)
"We are in a delicate moment, we need 2 points but we're all concentrated. We also know that the moment we're in is good to win."
(Estamos num momento delicado, precisamos dos pontos, mas estamos todos concentrados. Sabemos que o momento que atravessamos também é bom para podermos ganhar.)
About Deco- "Deco is a tgreat player and we count on him. We count on him in and outof the soccer pitch. He's an excellent player and person, that's why we need his support in and out of the soccer pitch."
(O Deco é um grande jogador e contamos com ele. Contamos com ele dentro e fora de campo. É um excelente jogador e uma excelente pessoa, por isso, precisamos do apoio dele dentro e fora do campo).
Nani interview in Portuguese Obidos, March 26, 2009
Nani about playing against Sweden on March 28, 2009- "There are great expeactations. We've been working well. We know that they're a very strong opponent that defends very well. Nevertheless, we've been doing a good job. The group is strong and united. We're confident."
("Temos boas expectativas, temos trabalhado bem. Sabemos que é um adversário muito forte, que defende muito bem, mas temos vindo a fazer um bom trabalho, o grupo está unido e estamos confiantes")
Reporter: Do you feel the pressure to win this game?
Nani: "No, but we all know it's a big responsiblity. This game is very important for us. We know we have to give our best to get the 3 points."
(Nao, Todos sabemos que é uma grande responsabilidade. Todos temos em mente que temos de dar o nosso melhor, o nosso máximo".
I picked up a copy of 'Champions' at a bookstore cafe yesterday. It had an interesting article about the Portuguese league. The article headline has this silhouette of Cristiano Ronaldo in red and white.
The point of the article is that the Portuguese league is at a low point with no future or profit. The best players being sold and the clubs not going far in the Champions League or UEFA Cup. For example, Benfica's early exit of the UEFA CUP after losing Olympiakos 5-1 Benfica in the group stage. That was their 3rd straight defeat in the group stage this season.
With all the fanfare, it turns out Ricardo Quaresma is only in the top 10 list of expensive player transfers.
The most interesting quote was from Manuel Cajuda coach of Vitoria Guimaraes. He had said that 'UEFA needs to shut us [Portuguese clubs] out until we fix our problems.'
I thought the most interesting stat they reported was stadium attendance. The Benfica stadium Da Luz has a capacity of 65, 000. The games only get full if it's against a big rival like FC Porto. The average attendance of a Portuguese stadium is less than the average of a stadium in Germany and England. Should have written the numbers.
Petit had said this in a TV interview to Hallo Bundesliga last fall, in 2008. I saw it on GolTV. It was a 'one-on-one' segment with FC Koln new signing Petit, from Benfica. He spoke in Portuguese. When he was asked what the main difference is between the Portuguese league and the Bundesliga, he said that it was the stadium attendance. That the big 3 club stadiums in Portugal get sold out only when they play against the top 3.
I went to bookstore cafe yesterday and found Chelsea magazine March 2009. Ricardo Carvalho was on the cover.
Two interviews in the magazine caught my attention. I read them at the cafe. Decided to pay the $9.25 for it so Carvalho can sign it when Chelsea tours the USA this pre-season.
Carvalho's interview was about what he felt these 2 months not playing. Carvalho right now (March 26, 2009) is with the Portugal training camp in Obidos. In the interview, Juve-Chelsea hadn't happened, neither the Coventry-Chelsea game. There were 2 pictures of him with brown jacket and scarf.
It starts out saying that Ballack was teasing Carvalho's choice of shoes. The questions were about the time being ruled out. I thought it was interesting that he says that he didn't watch the Chelsea games where he was ruled out. He had only asked his teammates about it and little of the highlights.
It reminded me of Pippo Inzaghi. He's used to being ruled out for months at a time at AC Milan. He had said that at first, he'd watch his teammates train in the training ground. After a few days, he couldn't handle it anymore because he would get more depressed.
Will Ricardo Carvalho be in Portugal v. Sweden on March 28, 2009?
Video goalkeeper Ricardo interview in Viseu, May 27, 2008
Ricardo was the first player to arrive in the Viseu training camp for the Euro 208.
English translation:
Question inaudible. The music of the hotel lobby is louder.
00:00 goalkeeper Ricardo: "Work and dedication, and to honor the Portuguese. The group has practically been together for a long time. There are one or 2 new players so I've spent more time with a few of them. I hope to work well."
Note to Pantera: This video is in another post except it was the last 20 seconds and Ricardo was shown from a distance. Here he spoke 10 more seconds and the camera is in front of him. If only he took off the cap.
Portugal's Gonçalo Brandão presented with Siena jersey #15 for 2008/09. HIs first season with Siena in the Serie A.
Gonçalo Brandão on the left with the #15 shorts in Fiorentina 1-0 Siena
, March 22, 2009.
Gonçalo Brandão is one of the Queiroz 21-man list for the next 2 Portugal games. He's a defender that wears #15. He plays in the starting lineup in his club.
Last game, 22-03-2009
Matchday 29: Fiorentina 1-0 Siena
Lineups:
FIORENTINA
Frey, Kroldrup, Gamberini, Vargas, Mutu, Gilardino, Montolivo, Jorgensen, Comotto, Kuzmanovic, Felipe Melo
A disposizione: Storari, Dainelli, Donadel, Jovetic, Zauri, Gobbi, Bonazzoli
Allenatore: Prandelli
SIENA
Curci, Zuniga, Portanova, Brandão, Del Grosso, vergassola, Codrea, Galloppa, Kharja, Ghezzal, Maccarone
Video outside the training ground in Obidos, March 24, 2009. Second day of training before the qualification match, Portugal v. Sweden at the Dragao.
The game will be in his "home stadium" FC Porto's Dragao.
Raul Meireles:
"There were good Portugal games before where we didn't get the three points. Now we have to think more of the 3 points than in the performance.
00:34 The message I give to the supporters is that they continue to support us, to believe in us. We're going to do everything to win this game."
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I hope he does well, and doesn't miss any passes. I remember when the friendly against the Faroe Islands was at Alvalade and Nani was motivated to score in his home stadium. He was still with Sporting.
Video Portugal training March 24, 2009 in Obidos
00:15 Nani shoots, goalkeeper defends it. Unclear which goalkeeper one it was.
00:22 Raul Meireles bouncing the ball on his knees.
00:30 Raul Meireles interview outside the training ground- "There were good Portugal games before where we didn't get the three points. Now we have to think more of the 3 points than in the performance."
00:40 Hugo Almeida: "It's not a decisive game but for us, we have to win it. We are playing at home. In this time, playing away is not easy so we hope it's like that for Sweden."
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Glad to see Raul Meireles speak. Deco didn't partipate in today's trainig session. Meireles might be in the starting lineup.
Screenshots of the video:
Video 2 days before the start of Euro 2008, June 5, 2008. Quim was still healthy.
00:25 The reporter Nuno Pereira is wearing the white gloves of goalkeeper Quim. It says QUIM and has the Portugal flag on both gloves.
The reporter talks about the goalkeepers.
He says that
-- Quim let him borrow the gloves because he'll use them in the Euro 2008.
-- Rui Patricio has the same gloves and that the only thing that changes is the name.
-- each goalkeeper has 4 pairs of gloves.
01:03- The last Portugal training before their game against Turkey. The reporters were looking for Deco in the pitch.
02:17 goalkeeper Ricardo responds to the 'polemica,' in goal or not like this: "
02:24 screen caption: Ricardo: I have other things to think about beyond being in the starting lineup.
02:34 There is a birthday in the Portugal team on June 5th. Fernando Meira saying that the best gift is to beat Turkey.
02:57 goalkeeper Ricardo practicing headers in the training session. goalkeeper Quim looking at him.
03:08 goalkeeper Ricardo in the press conference: "yes, Nihat said that we have things to settle in the Euro. Let's hope that those things go in favor of the Portugal team this time."
04:40 Nihat from the Turkey national team in the press conference, speaking in Spanish with Portugeuse subtitles.
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I could tell that the reporter was happy to be wearing the gloves. He wouldn't stop looking at them!
Screenshots of the video:
Caption: Ricardo: I have other things to worry about than being in the starting lineup.
Video March 24, 2009- First training of the Porutgal team in Óbidos with all 21 players. In this news report, there are a few seconds of the Portugal team training footage.
00:23 Footage of the players in green training kits running. Tiago with headband. Joao Moutinho
00:33 Two goalkeepers near the net. Shortest one is Beto. Tall player is Eduardo. The players froma distance.
Sweden won't have Ibrahimovic. If they're motivated like Denmark was, Porutgal has to be very careful. Ibrahimovic is fit but had received a yellow card in the last Sweden game, so ruled out for this game.
Lars Lagerback - 23-man list for the next 23 games, Portugal- Sweden March 28, 2009, Serbia friendly, April 1.
Goalkeepers: Eddie Gustafsson (Salzburg), Andreas Isaksson (PSV Eindhoven), Johan Wiland (FC Copenhagen).
Defenders:
Erik Edman (Wigan Athletic), Andreas Granqvist (Groningen) Petter Hansson (Rennes), Daniel Majstorovic (AEK), Olof Mellberg (Juventus), Mikael Nilsson (Panathinaikos), Behrang Safari (Basileia), Adam Johansson (IFK Gotemburgo).
Midfielders:
Samuel Holmen (Brondby), Kim Kallstrom (Olympique Lyon), Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham City), Rasmus Lindgren (Ajax), Anders Svensson (Elfsborg), Christian Wilhelmsson (Al-Hilal), Rasmus Elm (Kalmar), Viktor Elm (Heerenveen).
Forwards: Marcus Berg (Groningen), Johan Elmander (Bolton Wanderers), Henrik Larsson (Helsingborg), Markus Rosenberg (Werder Bremen).
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I recognized Markus Rosenberg. In the first 2 months, he scored a few goals from outside the area for Werder Bremen. Tends to do runs from the middle, to the left side and shoot from outside the area.
The Portugal Sub21 team wins today! Portugal 2-0 Cape Verde, 1st game in XIII Torneio Internacional da Madeira! Matchday 1.
This is great news because I think Portugal is the strongest of the 3 teams in the tournament.
(O selecionador português de Sub-21,) coach Rui Caçador said:
About the missed penalty by Pereirinha and Rui Pedro-
"I have to highlight the situation I didn't linke and that will not happen again in the national team. The execution of the penalty wasn't a nice gesture. I hope that it won't be repeated. I want to apologize to the Cape Verde team that played with lots of dignity."
About the performance-
"I liked the competitive attitude of the team. The Cape Verde team was very defensive, well-structured, and most of their players play in Portugal."
About Wednesday's game against the national team of Madeira- "more difficulties."
Match info:
Video goalkeeper Quim, goalkeeper Ricardo, Rui Patricio training with Fernando Brassard during Euro 2008.
00:23 The three goalkeepers are jogging with Brassard.
Quim and Ricardo were next to each other in this press-conference.
00:40 About possibly not being in goal-
goalkeeper Ricardo: "I'm here like all the players to give our best. The coach makes a decision. What he decides is the well-decided.
00:54 goalkeeper Quim: "I'm not complaining. I have to do do my work, the best possible way. The choice, like Ricardo said, is up to the coach. Both of us are doing our best."
01:04 Screen caption- Ricardo downplays the fact that he wasn't chosen in the group of the team captains.
01:10 Footage of the 3 goalkeepers in the training session passing the ball in a circle among themselves.
01:16 About not being included in the group of captains, despite being the player with the most caps-
goalkeeper Ricardo: "It's talked about a lot, it's not necessary. It's not in that way that the successes happen. Everyone of us has a function independently- captain or not."
01:30- In training. Goalkeeper Ricardo with arms in the air celebrating, goalkeeper Quim laughing.
Reporter: This is the 3rd time both goalkeepers compete to be the Portugal goalkeeper. 1) Euro 2004 2) 2006 world cup 3) Euro 2008
02:04 goalkeeper Quim: "We want to do our best here. Hopefully get to the final."
Footage of the players training.
02:30 About the rainy day in the training session in Viseu-
goalkeeper Ricardo:: "Let's hope that in Switzerland the weather is better. [laughs with Quim[. It's a fact that at this time of the year, it's not that cold. We expected less rain. Nonetheless, we have quality and we train with pleasure."
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Video Video Portugal training in Neuchatel, June 2, 2008
01:00 Close-up of the Portugal players in pairs, stretching the hamstrings. They are wearing the oversized green shweatshirt, black shorts, green socks. On the left- Carvalho with red boots, and Deco.
01:21 Joao Moutinho with Raul Meireles
01:48 Players with the ball
01:50 Close-up Cristiano Ronaldo
02:28 Nuno Gomes passing the ball with Simao
02:40 Raul Meireles
02:58 Cristiano Ronaldo, 03:00 spinning on one side, turning 3 times
training footage until th 8th minute.
Players in a circle passing the ball
09:30 Jose Bosingwa practicing headers with Brassard. Bosingwa switching from left to right of Brassard who throws him the ball on his forehead.
May 29, 2008- Video Nuno Gomes, goalkeeper Ricardo, Cristiano Ronaldo in black suits in Teatro Viriato- awarded on May 29, 2008
00:20 Cristiano Ronaldo in black suit, walking onto the stage to get award, May 2008
00:35 all the Portugal team players on stage holding a trophy.
00:40 panning, goalkeeper Ricardo,
Nuno Gomes next to Scolari
00:47 Joao Moutinho, Miguel Veloso on stage
01:38 Figo
02:02 Fernando Couto
02:22 Outside the theater, goalkeeper Ricardo waving to the fans
02:29 too quickly Paulo Ferreira walking past
02:34 Nuno Gomes
Screenshots:
June 12, 2008- Video Reactions to Scolari leaving the Portugal team.
00:13 Goalkeeper Quim: "Of course, it left everyone surprised because we didn't count on that. He had a contract. Don't know if it's better or worse, he decided with Chelsea I don't know."
Screenshot of goalkeeper Quim:
Video 'Selecção no Teatro Viriato' May 29, 2008, news
The main story was that the Portugal team players didn't even bother to acknowledge the fans that were waiting in the entrance of the theater 'Viriato.'
One fan even says in Portuguese that the players were "antipatico" standoffish.
Players just got off the team bus, walking to the entrance of the theater:
00:40 goalkeeper Ricardo, Hugo Almeida,
Video Nuno Gomes press conference in Portuguese Euro 2008, June 10, 2008.
The Portugal team was to face the Czech Republic. Nuno Gomes and Ricardo Carvalho were in the press conference.
00:10 Nuno Gomes: "It's probably the most important game for us. Especially in this moment that we had a good victory over Turkey, we have, at least I think, the most difficult opponent in the group.
So, we are already concentrated on the game against Czech Republic. We know we are facing great opponent with history in the Euro championships, more than us. So, it will be a difficult task."
Screenshots of Nuno Gomes in the video:
Video Ricardo Carvalho press conference June 10, 2008 (Euro 2008) in Portuguese. He answers a question about facing tall Cech players like Koller.
00:18 Ricardo Carvalho: "They will be difficult players for both me and Pepe. Physically Koller is stronger than us. However we have other capacities and characteristics. He's tall but we're quicker and we'll do our best."
Context- Euro 2008. The central defense pair was Carvalho - Pepe.
Screenshots of Ricardo Carvalho in the video:
Nani, Jose Bosingwa, Joao Moutinho (back to camera) goalkeeper Beto training with Portugal, March 23, 2009. Photo: Cunha LUSA
Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo training with Portugal, March 23, 2009. Photo: Cunha LUSA
Nani, Ricardo Carvalho training with Portugal March 23, 2009. Photo: Cunha LUSA