The Portuguese Football Federation were lashed to Chelsea for the announcement during Euro 2008 that Luiz Felipe Scolari had accepted an offer to coach the Premier League.
FPF president Gilberto Madail, addressed the media on Friday morning following his team for the Eradication of Championship of Europe at the hands of Germany and believes that the timing of the announcement of imminent departure Scolari had a destabilizing effect.
"It was not the best time for us to Chelsea to announce the appointment of Scolari," said Madail.
"I know Scolari has nothing to do with it and I was surprised, not by appointment - because Scolari is a great coach - but the timing.
"I wish Chelsea would be consulted before us so that we could have chosen a better time."
Madail acknowledged that Scolari's departure was inevitable.
"I knew that when we entered the tournament Scolari leaving," he said.
"We respected their wishes. His cycle with Portugal had ended because he wanted a new experience with a club.
"There was nothing we could do. It was a financial matter and we could not match the offer Chelsea."
The Portugal have also had to cope with the distraction of Cristiano Ronaldo Club situation.
The 23-year-old star is under contract to Manchester United, Real Madrid, but are hell-bent on bringing him to the Bernabeu for the next campaign.
Ronaldo admitted after the 3-2 defeat he will discuss his future with United in the coming days.
"I do not know what's happening in the spirit of Ronaldo and I do not think this contract problems likely to affect a player," said Madail.
"It is normal for players to tackle these issues. I do not think it interferes and I do not see any problem with Ronaldo."
If you leave the competition quarter-final stage was a huge disappointment for Portugal, which was one of the biggest teams in the event.
They showed a lot of flair, but ultimately was blocked against a determined Germany.
"I was very disappointed by the game yesterday," said Madail.
"Everybody saw Portugal is a strong team.
"There is no way our disposal is fair, but the result is fair in the night, Germany won 3-2 and we made mistakes and were made to pay.
"Good luck for Germany, but the best of luck in Spain".
Portugal will now have the difficult task of finding a replacement for Scolari.
The Brazil led to the final of Euro 2004 and fourth place in the World Cup in Germany two years ago.
Portugal will now turn their attention qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and will announce early next month, which will succeed Scolari.
Madail said: "What some people want it or not, he (Scolari) has left a mark in Portuguese football.
"He is a coach who made a huge impact and will remain in the history of Portugal. But life goes on.
"(The new coach) will have to speak Portuguese but not necessarily be Portuguese.
"It must have the ambition and be a winner. It must be someone who respect the players. "
Friday, June 20, 2008
Christoph Metzelder : anything is possible for Germany
Christoph Metzelder claims "everything is possible" for Germany at Euro 2008 after their impressive victory over Portugal.
Joachim Low cruised men in the last four thanks to a 3-2 victory in Basle last night and swashbuckling nature of the performance led the Real Madrid defender Metzelder to believe that this could be their year.
"After having struck on Portugal, anything is possible," he said.
"It is unfortunate that a team as strong as Portugal had to go home but we have done an excellent job against them.
"We are a strong team mentally and physically and now we made the semi-finals and we'll see what happens."
The former Borussia Dortmund star has praised the Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who could join Metzelder the Bernabeu this season.
"Ronaldo is a very good player," said Metzelder. "It is very fast and we knew what we were against.
"In the last 10 minutes of the first half, he made life difficult for us but we defended well.
"We know it can be deadly when given room to manoeuvre but we did an excellent job in managing limit his chances."
Then for Germany is a semi-final clash against the winner of the meeting tonight between Croatia and Turkey.
Joachim Low cruised men in the last four thanks to a 3-2 victory in Basle last night and swashbuckling nature of the performance led the Real Madrid defender Metzelder to believe that this could be their year.
"After having struck on Portugal, anything is possible," he said.
"It is unfortunate that a team as strong as Portugal had to go home but we have done an excellent job against them.
"We are a strong team mentally and physically and now we made the semi-finals and we'll see what happens."
The former Borussia Dortmund star has praised the Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who could join Metzelder the Bernabeu this season.
"Ronaldo is a very good player," said Metzelder. "It is very fast and we knew what we were against.
"In the last 10 minutes of the first half, he made life difficult for us but we defended well.
"We know it can be deadly when given room to manoeuvre but we did an excellent job in managing limit his chances."
Then for Germany is a semi-final clash against the winner of the meeting tonight between Croatia and Turkey.
Christian Panucci felt fit and ready to play
BADEN, Austria, June 20 - Italy's veteran defender Christian Panucci said Friday he felt fit and ready to play its fourth game in Euro 2008.
The 35-year regular rest during a difficult season with AS Roma, is poised to play centre back alongside Giorgio Chiellini in Sunday's quarter-final against Spain in Vienna.
Panucci shrugged off a slight knee problem during the group and declared a healthy lifestyle is currently keeping him.
"I recovered very well. I must say that physically I do not feel tired two days after a match. I am happy, "he told a press conference.
"I thank my mom for making me this way. I have always had a professional and rigid lifestyle. "
Coach Roberto Donadoni could probably not rest Panucci, even if it wanted.
At centre back Andrea Barzagli came out of the tournament after undergoing successful knee surgery on Friday in the same clinic where other defender Fabio Cannavaro has an ankle before the finals began.
Marco Materazzi, Barzagli that partnership in the 3-0 defeat by the Netherlands in the opening match, seems out of form while replacing Cannavaro Alessandro Gamberini has only two caps for the world champions.
Panucci, who played on the right against the Netherlands, said that his age, he was served unlikely to play the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. However, he stopped short of saying he would retire from international after the tournament.
"This is the last big opportunity of my career. It would not be reasonable to say that I was for the 2010 World Cup. But you never say never," he said.
Panucci played for Real Madrid between 1997 and 1999 and Spain said he was now a force to be reckoned with have flattered to deceive for many years.
"I understand Spain does not want to play Italy because the history of the Euros is not good for Spain. The Italy have been better prepared for major competitions, but Spain have greatly improved in recent years, "he said.
"We know Spain are a strong side with enthusiasm and they give us problems."
The 35-year regular rest during a difficult season with AS Roma, is poised to play centre back alongside Giorgio Chiellini in Sunday's quarter-final against Spain in Vienna.
Panucci shrugged off a slight knee problem during the group and declared a healthy lifestyle is currently keeping him.
"I recovered very well. I must say that physically I do not feel tired two days after a match. I am happy, "he told a press conference.
"I thank my mom for making me this way. I have always had a professional and rigid lifestyle. "
Coach Roberto Donadoni could probably not rest Panucci, even if it wanted.
At centre back Andrea Barzagli came out of the tournament after undergoing successful knee surgery on Friday in the same clinic where other defender Fabio Cannavaro has an ankle before the finals began.
Marco Materazzi, Barzagli that partnership in the 3-0 defeat by the Netherlands in the opening match, seems out of form while replacing Cannavaro Alessandro Gamberini has only two caps for the world champions.
Panucci, who played on the right against the Netherlands, said that his age, he was served unlikely to play the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. However, he stopped short of saying he would retire from international after the tournament.
"This is the last big opportunity of my career. It would not be reasonable to say that I was for the 2010 World Cup. But you never say never," he said.
Panucci played for Real Madrid between 1997 and 1999 and Spain said he was now a force to be reckoned with have flattered to deceive for many years.
"I understand Spain does not want to play Italy because the history of the Euros is not good for Spain. The Italy have been better prepared for major competitions, but Spain have greatly improved in recent years, "he said.
"We know Spain are a strong side with enthusiasm and they give us problems."
Sergio Ramos calmed by Carlos Marchena
NEUSTIFT, Austria, June 20 - Sergio Ramos had to be calmed by Spain teammate Carlos Marchena heated during a discussion with the coach Luis Aragones to train on Friday.
Ramos seems to disagree with something Aragones said while talking to the team before the session before Marchena fired 22 years, a defender on one side to halt the exchange.
"I'm not going to tell you something about what was said, 'striker Fernando Torres told a press conference in response to a question about the incident.
"We were just talking about music," he added with a smile.
Aragones defended Ramos after criticism of his poor form following the first two games of the tournament, but said the player still has much to learn in terms of its conduct on and off the pitch.
"There are certain codes of football Sergio understand," the coach said Thursday. "The best player you are, the more you have to have discipline in all directions.
"It is a great person, but sometimes he has some things he should not and we talked."
Ramos seems to disagree with something Aragones said while talking to the team before the session before Marchena fired 22 years, a defender on one side to halt the exchange.
"I'm not going to tell you something about what was said, 'striker Fernando Torres told a press conference in response to a question about the incident.
"We were just talking about music," he added with a smile.
Aragones defended Ramos after criticism of his poor form following the first two games of the tournament, but said the player still has much to learn in terms of its conduct on and off the pitch.
"There are certain codes of football Sergio understand," the coach said Thursday. "The best player you are, the more you have to have discipline in all directions.
"It is a great person, but sometimes he has some things he should not and we talked."
Tens of thousands of flag-waving for Germans Win
BERLIN, June 20 - Tens of thousands of flag-waving Germans celebrated into the night in scenes reminiscent of the 2006 World Cup after their ouster from the team on Portugal 3-2 Thursday to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2008.
Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger - known affectionately by fans as "Schweini" - was hailed as a national hero after having scored the first goal and setting up with other pin-point free-kicks to the head Miroslav Klose and captain Michael Ballack.
"Schweini-Cool!" was the title in Germany at the top-selling newspaper Bild on Friday, which reserved a full inside page to scenes of jubilation Berlin fans decked in red, black and gold colors of the German flag.
Former football great Franz Beckenbauer, who questioned the chances Germany after a narrow victory over Austria on Monday, called the performance compared to Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal "fantastic" and predicted a trip to the final.
Even Chancellor Angela Merkel, a regular presence in the stands during Germany to host the 2006 World Cup, took the act, taking the time a summit of EU leaders in Brussels catching part of the match.
"I do not have time to see the first goal, but I can run a dinner (of EU leaders) very motivated," Merkel told German television. "It was a sensational performance."
The police estimated that about 14000 fans had gathered on the Kurfuerstendamm boulevard to West Berlin to celebrate the victory, dancing in the streets, extending lamp-posts and blocking traffic.
The crowd of several thousand people were also seen in Hamburg, north of Munich in the south and Cologne in the west.
Ont announced that the "Fan Mile" in Berlin's Tiergarten park, which drew crowds of more than 1 million during Germany to execute the semi-finals of the last World Cup, would be implemented again next week for the final phase of the tournament.
Much of the German press coverage focused on "Schweini", which had to watch the match Austria is the red after being carded for a push in Germany of the first round loss to Croatia.
The platinum blonde-winger, who plays for Bayern Munich, was captured on television talk with Merkel in Vienna, who attended the meeting in person with several members of his cabinet.
"She told me I had to do, she said that I should just play as I did before and not do anything stupid so that what I did," said Schweinsteiger after the victory of Portugal. "I think when the Chancellor tells you to do something, you listen."
Germany now face a semi-final clash on Wednesday against the winner of Friday's match between Turkey and Croatia.
A wrestling with Turkey would be huge in Germany, where over two million people of Turkish origin live. In Berlin, which houses more than 100000 Turks, many fans have joined both Turkish and German flags on their cars and balconies.
Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger - known affectionately by fans as "Schweini" - was hailed as a national hero after having scored the first goal and setting up with other pin-point free-kicks to the head Miroslav Klose and captain Michael Ballack.
"Schweini-Cool!" was the title in Germany at the top-selling newspaper Bild on Friday, which reserved a full inside page to scenes of jubilation Berlin fans decked in red, black and gold colors of the German flag.
Former football great Franz Beckenbauer, who questioned the chances Germany after a narrow victory over Austria on Monday, called the performance compared to Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal "fantastic" and predicted a trip to the final.
Even Chancellor Angela Merkel, a regular presence in the stands during Germany to host the 2006 World Cup, took the act, taking the time a summit of EU leaders in Brussels catching part of the match.
"I do not have time to see the first goal, but I can run a dinner (of EU leaders) very motivated," Merkel told German television. "It was a sensational performance."
The police estimated that about 14000 fans had gathered on the Kurfuerstendamm boulevard to West Berlin to celebrate the victory, dancing in the streets, extending lamp-posts and blocking traffic.
The crowd of several thousand people were also seen in Hamburg, north of Munich in the south and Cologne in the west.
Ont announced that the "Fan Mile" in Berlin's Tiergarten park, which drew crowds of more than 1 million during Germany to execute the semi-finals of the last World Cup, would be implemented again next week for the final phase of the tournament.
Much of the German press coverage focused on "Schweini", which had to watch the match Austria is the red after being carded for a push in Germany of the first round loss to Croatia.
The platinum blonde-winger, who plays for Bayern Munich, was captured on television talk with Merkel in Vienna, who attended the meeting in person with several members of his cabinet.
"She told me I had to do, she said that I should just play as I did before and not do anything stupid so that what I did," said Schweinsteiger after the victory of Portugal. "I think when the Chancellor tells you to do something, you listen."
Germany now face a semi-final clash on Wednesday against the winner of Friday's match between Turkey and Croatia.
A wrestling with Turkey would be huge in Germany, where over two million people of Turkish origin live. In Berlin, which houses more than 100000 Turks, many fans have joined both Turkish and German flags on their cars and balconies.
Bastian Schweinsteiger revenge over Croatia
Bastian Schweinsteiger set its attention to revenge win over Croatia after guiding Germany in the Euro 2008 quarter-final with a man pre-match against Portugal on display.
The Bayern Munich star, returning home after being sent off in the Group B match against Croatia, resulting in his suspension for the final pool Thursday against Austria, opened the score and then create other goals for Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack that the Germans had missed winning 3-2 in Basel's St Jakob-Park.
Nuno Gomes pulled one back for Portugal five minutes before half-time to 2-1 and substitute Helder Postiga has Luiz Felipe Scolari aside a glimmer of hope three minutes from the end but the Euro 2004 finalists could not force an equaliser.
Joachim Löw team will return to Basle on Wednesday for the first semi-final against either Croatia or Turkey, who contest the penultimate-eight equal Friday.
And Schweinsteiger Germany hopes to have the chance to make amends for their 2-1 defeat by Slaven Bilic the side in the pool phase.
"Yes, of course, we would like Croatia," he said of his own semi-final foes.
The 23 years, believes Germany have already seen off "probably the best team in the competition thanks to their collective spirit, but played his own heroism.
"Yes, I marked and setting up another, but this is a team achievement," he said.
"It's that Germany virtues have served us very well. We played probably the best team in the tournament and we won - which goes to show what team spirit we have. "
Schweinsteiger has promised to managers German "great performance" before the match, according to assistant Löw Hans-Dieter Flick.
"I trust my strength," said the player. "I knew I was in good shape, and I had the confidence of the team and coaches.
"I know what I'm capable of doing and what I am willing to do to help the team.
"The team has also supported me and even that coaches".
Germany only won their place in the last eight with a 1-0 victory Monday over Austria holding the second place of Group B behind Croatia.
"It was not easy at the beginning Championships in Europe," said Schweinsteiger. "But we've always wanted to play for the team."
The Bayern Munich star, returning home after being sent off in the Group B match against Croatia, resulting in his suspension for the final pool Thursday against Austria, opened the score and then create other goals for Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack that the Germans had missed winning 3-2 in Basel's St Jakob-Park.
Nuno Gomes pulled one back for Portugal five minutes before half-time to 2-1 and substitute Helder Postiga has Luiz Felipe Scolari aside a glimmer of hope three minutes from the end but the Euro 2004 finalists could not force an equaliser.
Joachim Löw team will return to Basle on Wednesday for the first semi-final against either Croatia or Turkey, who contest the penultimate-eight equal Friday.
And Schweinsteiger Germany hopes to have the chance to make amends for their 2-1 defeat by Slaven Bilic the side in the pool phase.
"Yes, of course, we would like Croatia," he said of his own semi-final foes.
The 23 years, believes Germany have already seen off "probably the best team in the competition thanks to their collective spirit, but played his own heroism.
"Yes, I marked and setting up another, but this is a team achievement," he said.
"It's that Germany virtues have served us very well. We played probably the best team in the tournament and we won - which goes to show what team spirit we have. "
Schweinsteiger has promised to managers German "great performance" before the match, according to assistant Löw Hans-Dieter Flick.
"I trust my strength," said the player. "I knew I was in good shape, and I had the confidence of the team and coaches.
"I know what I'm capable of doing and what I am willing to do to help the team.
"The team has also supported me and even that coaches".
Germany only won their place in the last eight with a 1-0 victory Monday over Austria holding the second place of Group B behind Croatia.
"It was not easy at the beginning Championships in Europe," said Schweinsteiger. "But we've always wanted to play for the team."
Germany a stronger candidates for a Euro
BASEL, June 20 - Germany looking increasingly strong candidates for a fourth Championship of Europe after the success of rediscovering their traditional virtues in a 3-2 victory over Portugal in Thursday's quarter-finals.
Germany is patchy form in the group phase where a 2-1 defeat by Croatia means that they have had to fight for their lives by moving against co-hosts Austria, left the team and the country filled with self - doubt enter the game in Portugal.
These concerns have been allayed in fine style against Portugal, Germany showed they have a touch of steel to go to the adventure style introduced by Juergen Klinsmann and maintained by his successor as coach, Joachim Loew.
They were disciplined on defense, getting nine men behind the ball when Portugal was in possession, and has scored three goals, shared between Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack, via a lightning break and two-pieces together .
"Against Portugal we had a great structure, organization and discipline," said Loew, who had to watch the match will resume after a one match ban by UEFA.
"We had the courage and good combinations for the future. All the things we did right in the past, we were right tonight.
"We will do our utmost to reach the final."
Germany next faces either Croatia or Turkey during the last four.
This means they may have a chance to correct the errors committed against Croats in the group phase.
"We would be happy to show that we have good response against Croatia", said assistant coach Hansi Flick, who made a deputy Loew impeccable work on the bench.
"But we have already shown that Germany are a good team tournament, ready to fight to the last minute".
The last time Germany made it out of the group phase of Europe Championship took place in 1996 when they went to win the competition for the third time.
After a convincing victory over Portugal, it is more and more belief among the players that they would make us again.
"It is important against Portugal that we were courageous and we all worked for each other," said Klose.
"The team has really found itself. If we play to our potential, it has nothing to stand in our way."
Germany is patchy form in the group phase where a 2-1 defeat by Croatia means that they have had to fight for their lives by moving against co-hosts Austria, left the team and the country filled with self - doubt enter the game in Portugal.
These concerns have been allayed in fine style against Portugal, Germany showed they have a touch of steel to go to the adventure style introduced by Juergen Klinsmann and maintained by his successor as coach, Joachim Loew.
They were disciplined on defense, getting nine men behind the ball when Portugal was in possession, and has scored three goals, shared between Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack, via a lightning break and two-pieces together .
"Against Portugal we had a great structure, organization and discipline," said Loew, who had to watch the match will resume after a one match ban by UEFA.
"We had the courage and good combinations for the future. All the things we did right in the past, we were right tonight.
"We will do our utmost to reach the final."
Germany next faces either Croatia or Turkey during the last four.
This means they may have a chance to correct the errors committed against Croats in the group phase.
"We would be happy to show that we have good response against Croatia", said assistant coach Hansi Flick, who made a deputy Loew impeccable work on the bench.
"But we have already shown that Germany are a good team tournament, ready to fight to the last minute".
The last time Germany made it out of the group phase of Europe Championship took place in 1996 when they went to win the competition for the third time.
After a convincing victory over Portugal, it is more and more belief among the players that they would make us again.
"It is important against Portugal that we were courageous and we all worked for each other," said Klose.
"The team has really found itself. If we play to our potential, it has nothing to stand in our way."
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