PORTO • For Portugal, success begets success, forging an "almost indestructible family" mentality.
So long the nearly men on the international stage, their Euro 2016 triumph - the country's first title - was a culmination of a golden period during which they have also reached the Euro 2004 final, the 2006 World Cup semi-finals and the last four at Euro 2012.
And after clinching the inaugural Nations League with a 1-0 win over the Dutch in Porto last Sunday, Portugal have every intention of continuing their winning momentum - starting with the defence of their European Championship title.
Long-serving manager Fernando Santos, who has been at the helm since 2014, said: "Sometimes, things are not perfect, but that is not for lack of effort. For the last five years, we know what we are capable of doing. We are always candidates to win the competitions we take part in."
He made two key chances for the final, introducing Danilo Pereira instead of Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves to give added protection to his team's backline, while replacing burgeoning talent Joao Felix with Goncalo Guedes.
Both moves paid off as Valencia forward Guedes scored the winner and Porto enforcer Danilo subdued Barcelona-bound Frenkie de Jong, the key midfield cog for the Dutch.
Santos said his team must not stop evolving if they are to lift more silverware. He added: "The future is here and now, right outside the door. If we look back to 2016, some of those players are no longer here - this is an ongoing process."
New blood like Benfica forward Felix - one of Europe's hottest talents - have already been given their first taste of international football while there is a talented supporting cast led by Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, who picked up the Player of the Tournament award.
Portugal's undisputed star Cristiano Ronaldo, 34, however, said he had no plans to retire as he still had the "same enthusiasm" from when he won his first cap at 18.
Despite being a peripheral presence in the final, the Juventus forward still had an impressive tournament after his hat-trick in the semi-final against Switzerland.
He told Portuguese TV channel RTP: "As long as I have the strength and motivation, I will continue to represent the colours of Portugal. When I am with the national team, I feel like at home."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Football News: Two goals from Marko Arnautovic and Ryan Fredericks's first Premier League strike helped West Ham beat Southampton 3-0 at London Stadium on Saturday t
Arnautovic ends drought as West Ham sink Southampton
Sport betting is a phenomenon that is quickly gripping Kenya. A university student, matatu tout, young professional, boda boda guy, retiree and watchman are all united in anxiety and joy or sorrow depending on the outcome of a sporting event for which they placed a bet on.
SINGAPORE - Singaporean Akbar Nawas has been named the I-League's best coach after leading Chennai City to their first title earlier this month.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Football: Singaporean coach Akbar Nawas is I-League's best
Brighton drew the short straw in the draw for the FA Cup semi-finals as they were paired with Pep Guardiola's quadruple-chasing Manchester City. Chris Hughton's men hit back from two goals down at Millwall to win on penalties and book their place in the last four for the first time since 1983
Axed Mourinho heading back to Real Madrid - Calderon Having departed Chelsea, Jose Mourinho is now set to head back to Real Madrid, the club's ex-president Ramon Calderon has said.
Is Jose Mourinho Heading Back To Madrid? - La Liga Tickets Online
Gordon Banks earned just £100-a-week, lost his eye in a car crash and was forced to sell his 1966 World Cup medal. But he was a true inspirational hero with the REAL hands of God
Football: Tottenham's Vertonghen to see neurologist over head injury The club has been advised that this was "the result of a presyncopal episode, a near faint".
Vertonghen to see neurologist over head injury - World Soccer
Maurizio Sarri says he is not worried about Chelsea's looming transfer embargo, insisting he has confidence in his squad as he targets a top-four finish in the Premier League. The Stamford
Chelsea can cope with transfer ban, says Sarri - guardian.ng
Jose Mourinho is under a huge amount of pressure this week after the defeat at West Ham left Chelsea 15th in the Premier League after 10 matches. His continued antics off the field have only made
MANCHESTER UNITED should sack Jose Mourinho for Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane because of Paul Pogba and the fans' desire to see more attacking football at Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho: What next for sacked Man United boss? - Sportstar
for Ministry With and To Young People.pdf
GUIDELINES FOR MINISTRY TO & WITH YOUNG PEOPLE Ministry to and with young people in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is firmly based on the United States Catholic Conference of Bishop's document Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry which was published in 1997. It is the understanding in this Archdiocese that youth ministry
7 Urgent Issues to Challenge in Your Youth Group
Bayern Munich reach German Cup final to keep Double in sight Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich beat Werder Bremen 3-2 with two goals from Robert Lewandowski on Wednesday to advance to the German
Spurs get the chance to bounce back against Cardiff on New Year's Day and Winks insists the squad are determined to put the Wolves result right. "We said before the game that it was must-win
Lionel Messi is back but Lionel Scaloni's Copa squad is littered with new faces. Messi the one constant in a much-changed Argentina squad for Copa America and he has surely played a key
Lionel Messi in 2018: Another underrated year for the little
0 comments:
Post a Comment