Key win Portugal, Belgium move clear
BRUXELLES, Belgium ● The seventh round of European qualifying matches for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ is likely to be remembered principally for the surprise home defeats suffered by Croatia and Montenegro, but there were also important developments elsewhere, with Portugal leapfrogging Russia and Belgium pulling clear of Croatia in their respective groups. The [...]
If it all goes wrong, Portugal will embrace Mourinho
LISBON, Portugal ● Jose Mourinho returned on Monday to the club where he feels loved – but if it goes wrong at Chelsea the charismatic coach will be assured of the warmest of welcomes in his native Portugal where he is a national hero. Revered at former club Porto having taken them to the peak [...]
Ronaldo gets OK to join Portugal
MADRID, Spain ● Cristiano Ronaldo’s shoulder injury is not serious and he will join up with the Portugal squad later on Monday, his club Real Madrid said. Ronaldo hurt his left shoulder attempting an overhead kick in the second half of Sunday’s 2-2 La Liga draw at Barcelona and although he appeared in [...]
Portugal escapes in Luxembourg
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg ● Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored and celebrated as his side recovered from an early scare in Luxembourg to start their World Cup Group F qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win on Friday. A fifth of Luxembourg’s population is Portuguese and many turned up in the 8,000-strong crowd at the compact Josy Barthel [...]
Veloso signs 4-year deal with Dynamo Kiev
KIEV, Ukraine ● Genoa midfielder Miguel Veloso, who helped Portugal reach the European Championship semifinals, has signed a four-year deal with Dynamo Kiev. “I liked the fact that they are a club with a rich history and lots of ambition,” Veloso said. He said Dynamo took an interest in him during Euro 2012, which was [...]
SPAIN WIN ON PENALTIES
DONETSK, Ukraine ● Spain reached their third consecutive major tournament final after overcoming neighbours Portugal 4-2 on penalties in the first Euro 2012 semi-final in Donetsk on Wednesday. After an attritional game finished 0-0 following extra time at Donbass Arena, Cesc Fabregas swept home the winning spot-kick to put Spain in the final. [...]
Iniesta: Boring Spain? Blame the opponents
DONETSK, Ukraine ● Andres Iniesta believes Spain are only accused of playing boring football because their opponents are too defensive, ahead of Wednesday’s Euro 2012 semi-final against Portugal. Vicente del Bosque’s side are bidding to become the first team in history to claim three consecutive major international titles, having triumphed at Euro 2008 and the [...]
Let’s beat the odds: 49% chance of final between Spain and Germany
WARSAW, Poland ● As the semi finals loom at Euro 2012, no one can argue the four best teams are left standing in Poland-Ukraine. There were no real surprises at the quarter-final stage. With two left from each of Groups B and C, here is your semifinal preview. According to Euroclubindex there is [...]
Eusebio stable after heart procedure
WARSAW, Poland ● Former Portugal and Benfica great Eusebio is in a stable condition after doctors conducted a coronarography to examine the condition of his heart after he was taken to hospital in the Polish city of Poznan on Saturday. “I had the chance to talk briefly to him this morning and I asked him [...]
