It's official- Joao Moutinho midfielder might start in Portugal-Turkey on June 7th, Euro 2008. At least we hope so.

Image Source: http://bancadejornais.sapo.pt/2008/06/01/bola.jpg

Great goal, getting closer to the starting lineup in the Euro. MOUTINHO APPROVED

If you saw or even read the match report of Portugal - Georgia on May 31st, you noticed a young midfielder that stole the show in the 1st half. #10 Joao Moutinho. He's earning a place in the Portugal - Turkey Euro 2008 match on June 7th.

In the 2nd half when Scolari put Miguel Veloso, the one the press keeps linking to an Arsenal move. Veloso disappointed, below expectations. Is Arsenal eyeing the wrong midfielder from Sporting Lisboa?

It looks like FC Porto Raul Meireles and Miguel Veloso are definitely 2nd and 3rd option. Now one needs to hope that Moutinho can stand the pressure to keep the ball, pass it effectively in a big match of the Euro 2008.

Moutinho played in the Euro sub-21 in Holland in 2007 for Portugal. With the Portugal football team he played in the Euro 2008 qualifyers, not yet in an international tournament. I wonder what club will want him if he does a great euro 2008. Premiership or Italian Serie A?

Image Source: http://bancadejornais.sapo.pt/2008/06/01/record.jpg

Joao Moutinho scores a great goal in his 13th international cap. HE WON HIS PLACE. Captain of Sporting Lisboa has 5, 279 minutes this season.

-----Do you agree with these covers?

-----Do you think Moutinho needs to start in Portugal -Turkey, Group A match of EURO 2008? Ahead of Raul Meireles, and Miguel Veloso?

So Is Cristiano Ronaldo finally going to Real Madrid?

What does this have to do with UEFA EURO 2008?

Too much distraction for Cristiano Ronaldo, the player. How can he or the national team perform at its best on June 7th in Portugal - Turkey?

Now that he said he'll decide his future in "2 or 3" days. More speculation. More questions from the Spanish reporters in the Viseu portugal training. Why not just say like Scolari, I'll decide after EURO 2008, period.

After today's friendly Portugal 2-0 Georgia, Spanish reporters asked Atletico Madrid player Simao Sabrosa in the 'mixed zone' about Ronaldo and Real Madrid. You can't get more irrelevant than that.

You can even sense a tinge of annoyance that the team might feel right now.

Here's what Simao said

"Ronaldo has a contract with Manchester United, but without a doubt Real Madrid is a big club for him. For the rivalry that exists, it would be bad for me [he plays with Atletico de Madrid]. Eventhough I'm not a defender." "What's important is that Ronaldo feels good. He needs calmness. The national team needs him at his best shape."

2 Spanish sports newspapers have Cristiano Ronaldo on the cover.

Marca Says "Scolari told CRonaldo, 'Go to Madrid'."

Scolari supports Ronaldo 'You have to take advantage of the opportunity. The trains only pass by once."

Here's what I think:
Spanish newspapers- worry about your own national team, la furia roja. Your own attack, will they deliver in the 1st matches? Torres and David Villa.

I hope Cristiano Ronaldo puts a stop to it by saying that he'll make his decision after the Euro 2008.

- What do you think about this Ronaldo-Real Madrid saga going on unnecessarily right now?

See more posts with "Cristiano Ronaldo"

• 4 Photos of Cristiano Ronaldo in the Czech Republic 1 - 3 Portugal Euro 2008 match
• 5 Photos - Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portugal 2-0 Turkey match, Euro 2008, June 7th
• Cristiano Ronaldo arrived in Lisbon, Portugal today. Now 20 of the 23 players are in Viseu for their pre-Euro 2008 training
• Cristiano Ronaldo joined the group at the team Hotel, hid so well that the waiting 500 fans didn't see him.
• Cristiano Ronaldo's press conference before the Viseu Portugal training, Saturday May 24.
• Elegant Portugal players in black suits! Being honored at Teatro Viriato, 2 days before leaving to Neuchatel for Euro 2008
"I don't want to talk about my future..." said Cristiano Ronaldo in today's press conference with Petit, June 17th
• Is the Portugal national team only Cristiano Ronaldo plus 10? How fair is the tv coverage?
• So Is Cristiano Ronaldo finally going to Real Madrid?
• Will Cristiano Ronaldo decide today- Real Madrid or Manchester United?

7min Videoclip- Portugal National Team players awarded 'team of the year,' Cristiano Ronaldo 'Best Overseas Portuguese Athlete of the year'

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

00: Scolari, Fernando Brassard
00:15 - Players entering the theater, walking by the screaming fans and signing autographs. You can see Joao Mountinho
00:55 - Cristiano Ronaldo signing autographs
01:06 - Cristiano Ronaldo given the award, speaking in Portuguese
01:44 - Figo and Couto, former national team players, awarded the "ambassadors to the national team" emblem
02:39 - Benfica legend Eusebio introducing Figo and Couto
02:47 - Figo speaking
03:41 - Couto speaking
06:30 - Players leaving the theater, getting into the team bus.

What pre-EURO 2008 friendly are you watching tomorrow Saturday, May 31?

Portugal - Georgia is tomorrow.
Since I don't have Setanta Sports or RTPi I'll be hearing the game online at the antena1 radio. I looked on the livesoccertv schedule for Saturday friendlies at www.livesoccertv.com/fixture-2008-05-31.php to see if it would be on another channel. No luck.

I'm also interested in the France - Paraguay friendly.
One of the EURO 2008 favorites. Which forward? Will ex-chelsea Lassana Diarra start again?

And the Spain - Ecuador friendly. I have TVE, TV Espana on Time Warner Cable. I've been watching the 'telediario' the last 10 minutes of sports.

They cover the Spain training camp and all the starting lineup, so exciting. Torres or Villa? Cesc Fabregas or Xavi?

Will Scolari leave the Portugal national team after EURO 2008 final? Where?

The sacking of Avram Grant from Chelsea has raised speculation again on Scolari's future. Now what? Will he finally go to England? When will he leave the Portugal manager job? On goal.com (www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=714934) they reported that Scolari was on the Chelsea fc shortlist. If it's not the Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid distraction at the camp, now it's Scolari's future.

Scolari has been Portugal manager in the EURO 2004, and 2006 World Cup.

Some reasons fans of Portugal want Scolari to leave now, yesterday!

• disappointing Portugal EURO 2008 qualifying campaign
• Uncontrollable temper- The "punch" he allegedly gave to Serbian player after Portugal- Serbia qualifying match. Received a 3 match ban.
• Lack of many goals from forwards at the home matches of Euro 2008 qualifyers.
• Embarassing defeat in a friendly this year with Euro 2004 champions: Greece 2 - 1 Portugal. Some fans saw it as revenge and Portugal had to ABSOLUTELY win the game.
• His insisting in putting Ricardo in goal, when he's not in best shape. And not Quim
• In some qualifying games he insisted on using Simao instead of Quaresma
• You're reason for Scolari to leave or stay?

So where would he go?

• Mexico national team,
• Manchester City,
• Chelsea fc

What does Scolari say about all this?

In Viseu Porutgal training camp for EURO 2008, he was asked in the Friday Press conference about his future:

"I am working normally with the national team. It's normal that the name of a manager at the end of his contract come up to manage other clubs. If I'll make a decision I will talk about it with my president [Portuguese FA Gilberto Madail]. But I have made a decision so far." Then he added "My president is Gilberto Madaíl. He's my agent. If he ad contacts with Chelsea, he stil hasn't told me about them.

Will Scolari leave after the EURO 2008 final?

Will he go to Chelsea?

Where would he leave?

Maniche wishes the Portugal team great success for EURO 2008

We know how bitter he was that he was NOT in the Scolari's final 23 man squad, released on May 12.

Today Maniche spoke about the EURO 2008 to TSF.

"I am not used-to this, that is suffer from the outside. But I will support the national team, and wish them a great success. I have lots of friends there, fortunately, I always was well-received and it's a privilege being a friend of
great players."

About his brother Jorge Ribeiro in the final 23 man squad: "I hope everything goes well for the national team, especially to my brother, that deserved to be called up for everything he did this season.

Transfer talk: "The most important thing right now is to rest. I was having a good season at Atlético and didn't expect to leave. Something happened with the manager and the Inter approach appeared. They had references of me, it was a desire of the president [Massimo Moratti] and I couldn't refuse the offer from Inter."

Source: www.record.pt/noticia.asp?id=788613&idCanal=1252, Thursday, May 29, 12:19

Mr. President. Last stop for the Portugal team before leaving to Neuchatel, EURO 2008 headquarters-

Portugal president Aníbal Cavaco Silva will meet the Portugal players before they leave to Neuchatel, EURO 2008 headquarters.

On Sunday, May 2:40pm local time-

Portugal president Cavaco Silva will hold an audience for the Portugal national team at the "Sala dos Embaixadores."

- Group photo,

-and informal gathering in the veranda of the palace.

Departure to EURO 2008:

The team & staff will then get into the "autocarro," I assume the team bus, and head to "Aeroporto da Portela." The flight to Switzerland is for 5pm.

They will arrive at Hotel Beau-Rivage, in Neuchâtel at 8:20pm Lisboa time. Neuchatel will be their EURO 2008 headquarters.

Source: www.record.pt/noticia.asp?id=788617&idCanal=1252

Nani and company will be moving around in the team bus:

Image Source: www.euro2008.uefa.com/fanzone/btwh/index.html

Slogan: Este autocarro é movido a Vontade de Vencer (This coach is driven by the Will to Win)

Elegant Portugal players in black suits! Being honored at Teatro Viriato, 2 days before leaving to Neuchatel for Euro 2008

How often do you get to see the Portugal players dressed up in elegant, black suits? Enjoy the breathtaking pictures!

Today there were many people who were given honors ("homenagens") Figo, Couto, Cristiano Ronaldo, and the Portugal national team.

Image Source: www.record.pt/fotogaleria_imagemEuro2008.asp?id=788622

Viseu, May 29 - Nani, Petit, Simao, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo, Nuno Gomes, Luis Felipe Scolari, and Portuguese FA,FPF president Gilberto Madail. By stylist Fátima Lopes at the "Teatro Viriato"

Images Courtesy of euro2008.sapo.pt/multimedia/fotos/estagio_em_viseu

Outside the theater, Cristiano Ronaldo passing by the fans. Inside the theater, he won the award given by the the Association of sports journalists, "Associação de Jornalistas de Desporto (CNID)" of "Best Overseas Portuguese Athlete of the Year." He then said "Only as a team can one win."

Source: www.record.pt/noticia.asp?id=788615&idCanal=1252

Inside the theater, World-famous Figo, and Benfica legend Eusebio. Figo received the diploma of ambassador of the Portugal national team, ("embaixador da Selecção Nacional") and the emblem of gold by the Federação.

Figo said: "To represent my country is prestigious and important. I wish it was eternal and to be able to play forever, but that is not possible. Now, to be associated and be ambassador of the Portugal national team fills me with pride, it's an emblem and role that leaves me extremely happy."

Source: www.record.pt/noticia.asp?id=788581&idCanal=1252"

Scolari and Benfica forward Nuno Gomes. Onstage at "Teatro Viriato," they received the trophy of "Team of the year," "equipa do ano," given by the Association of sports journalists, "Associação de Jornalistas de Desporto (CNID)".

Nuno Gomes said "We're proud of the support that Viseu gave us and we want to return it by having a great European championship." [Euro 2008]

Scolari and Nuno Gomes wearing a cape and hat that looks like those that Infante D. Henrique wore.

Manchester United forward Nani, see the trophy in his hand.

Goalkeeper Ricardo, with the trophy.

Which picture did you like the most?

See more posts with "Nuno Gomes"

Elegant Portugal players in black tie!

Obviously, he who wants to be in the starting 11 has to work for it" said Nuno Gomes. Will he be in starting in Portugal-Turkey in EURO 2008?

30 second commercial of TMN- Nuno Gomes cheering for Quaresma's "tribela" goal

Photo of Nuno Gomes in Portugal 2-0 Turkey Euro 2008 match, June 7th

Personal fotos, Nuno Gomes in a Fiorentina jersey in his Official website www.nunogomes.com

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Photo- Portugal players Nani, Miguel Veloso having a laugh- Comic visited their training camp

Viseu, May 28 - Comic Fernando Rocha visited the Portugal national team players. The players are wearing the green Portugal polo shirts. See Man U forward Nani, Sporting Lisboa midfielder Miguel Veloso, midfielder Simão Sabrosa , Valencia defender Miguel, and my favorite Paulo Ferreira. Photo: record.pt

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See more posts with "Miguel Veloso"

• 7 Photos of midfielder Miguel Veloso in Viseu Portugal training for Euro 2008
• Will Miguel Veloso go to AC Milan after the Euro 2008? transfer rumors. 4th in the Portugal team
• Photo- Portugal players having a laugh- Comic visited their training camp

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Material of the Portugal team ready to go to the Portugal team EURO 2008 headquarters at Neuchatel, Switzerland

Image Source: www.record.pt/fotogaleria_imagemEuro2008.asp?id=788457

Inside, the material that the Portugal national team will use during the EURO 2008. Mário Araújo will drive it and will arrive on Thursday at Neuchatel.

In the picture, the truck is parked outside Hotel Montebelo, where the team is staying at during the Viseu training camp. On the left of the truck you can see the logo of the FPF (Federacao Portuguesa do Futebol), the last words in white say "Portuguese National Team."

The 23 players show solidarity toward various causes.

In addition to training for the EURO 2008, the Portugal team has been showing solidarity in various causes.
- Scolari, Quim and Ricardo visited "Centro de Deficientes Profundos, na União das Misericórdias de Viseu" to show solidarity.

- Yesterday the 23 players in the Portugal national team filmed a personal message and a call to make a donation for the cause in a campaign to help the "Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro" - Portuguese League against Cancer.
Source: www.Record.pt/noticia.asp?id=788367&idCanal=1252,

Does Nuno Gomes deserve to be a striker in the starting 11?

Sunday night, May 25th, when the team returned to Hotel Montbelo, in Viseu, Benfica striker, Nuno Gomes said:

We have all the conditions to do a great Euro 2008 ["Europeu"]. It's normal that we feel a bit anxious, but we still have to work toward it. We want to start the Euro the quickest possible.

About the team spirit:

Despite having many new players, they have come to the national team and are completely integrated with the spirit. We have an excellent group.

He said that the day off given by Scolari was to "recharge", get new energy. "We are back to dedicate ourselves to the 2nd week of work. Only now do we have the group complete, but for good reasons, 4 of the players were in the Champions League final."

Source: www.Record.pt/noticia.asp?id=788142&idCanal=1252

Here's a picture of him after the morning viseu portugal training at Montbelo golf course.

Image Source: euro2008.sapo.pt/multimedia/fotos/treinos

Is he in his best shape? Why doesn't he deserve to be starting?

What striker would you put instead of Nuno Gomes? Nani, Postiga, Almeida?

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3 players and Scolari visit local children's hospital in Viseu to uplift their spirits.

This morning, Friday May 23, 3 players visited local children's hospital "Hospital de São Teotónio"in Viseu, Portugal for half an hour.

They lifted the kid's spirits and signed autographs. Scolari said that visiting the kids were more important than the details of the trainings, scoring goals. He's right.

In the video you see Moutinho and Meireles signing magazines for them. Kids laying in bed with the Portugal scarves, unable to move freely. Very inspiring stuff.

They were the 3 midfielders: João Moutinho, Raul Meireles, and Petit with the manager Scolari.

Scolari signing an autograph.

Here's a picture of midfielder Petit and Scolari signing autographs

Scolari, Raul Meireles, Moutinho, Petit.

Image Source: euro2008.sapo.pt/multimedia/fotos/estagio_em_viseu

It's amazing how far a smile from a child's favorite athletes can go.

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Maniche publicly implying that Scolari has something personal against him. Better for him not to publicy say so?

Maniche is out of the final 23 man squad. The biggest surprise for fans. He's playing for Inter in the Serie A this season.

With the Seleção das Quinas, he has scored important goals. For instance, in the World Cup 2006, remember the goal against Mexico?

When an experienced player like him is not called up for a big tournament like the UEFA EURO 2008, does he publicly complain that he wasn't called, or stay quiet?

As I was checking the sports clips there was a TV interview Maniche gave in Milan, to RTP (local media) on Saturday, May 17, 2008. The headline was that he was disappointed. Ok, that's to be expected. It's normal.

What made this news was that he implied things about Scolari that don't seem fair to some. To see him and hear him speak in Portuguese in the TV interview click on the picture or "Maniche ficou decepcionado por nao ter sido seleccionado para o Europeu."

Among the things he said was that:

• he does not accept the reasons that Scolari gave him.

"Was sad, and above all, disappointed of the facts that were given to me to explain my absence in the final 23 man squad. If it was for physical reasons, obviously, that's not an an excuse. I feel pretty good. I didn't have an injury this year, and even played 37 games this season."

• Suspects it's beyond soccer-related

"I always said that, if he has something against me, come tell me directly. I see it's precisely a personal thing. The manager probably feels he's being influenced by other people that don't like me. People who are close to the manager. I don't want to say with this that the manager can be influenced, but what's clear is that I'm thinking that due to these facts, visible to everyone. If it's not a soccer reason, it has to be something outside of soccer. He used the word "extra-futebol."

• Being left out of the final 23 man squad "grande injustiça"

"I'm not saying that my being left out was an injustice. I'm going to say that it was a big injustice, because it wasn't expected and there was no reason for it."

He said much more. This is enough. Like Pires, Anelka left out of the World Cup 2006. Even the great Del Piero left out of friendlies by Donadoni.
So,

• ---- Would it have been better for him to not say much about it in public?

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