Portuguese futebol

[Trapattoni]

It seems that your people loves Fernando... 

A lot, the feeling is mutual. Santos/Greece one heart.

Did you heard his statement to you (Greek people) in flash interview?

This one?

https://vine.co/v/5WIXzIegrtT

Every Greek media carried this, it is the headline in every Greek media website. Many Greeks cried when they heard this. Santos is much much loved in Greece. He has often spoken that when he is away from Greece he misses it deeply and feels he has to return. Greeks are extremely respectful of Santos. They feel he is Greek. He also speaks Greek.

He said tonight in Greek, ''To all the Greeks, thank you, you are always in my heart.''

Even makes me emotional to hear these words, he has a very special connection with Greece and Greeks.

Quite Natural
The man passed many years in Greece training two of the biggest greek themes like Panathinaikos and AEK.
If we were champions it was without a doubt of the greek knowledge that he gattered during his time in there.
So in a way yeah, i feel like there is a litle bit of "Greek" under this portuguese triumph, as ironical as it might be since we put france under our own shoes for the euro 2004 final.

[Faliro]

It seems that your people loves Fernando... 

A lot, the feeling is mutual. Santos/Greece one heart.

Did you heard his statement to you (Greek people) in flash interview?

This one?

https://vine.co/v/5WIXzIegrtT

Every Greek media carried this, it is the headline in every Greek media website. Many Greeks cried when they heard this. Santos is much much loved in Greece. He has often spoken that when he is away from Greece he misses it deeply and feels he has to return. Greeks are extremely respectful of Santos. They feel he is Greek. He also speaks Greek.

He said tonight in Greek, ''To all the Greeks, thank you, you are always in my heart.''

Even makes me emotional to hear these words, he has a very special connection with Greece and Greeks.

Quite Natural
The man passed many years in Greece training two of the biggest greek themes like Panathinaikos and AEK.
If we were champions it was without a doubt of the greek knowledge that he gattered during his time in there.
So in a way yeah, i feel like there is a litle bit of "Greek" under this portuguese triumph, as ironical as it might be since we put france under our own shoes for the euro 2004 final.

He spent a lot of years at PAOK especially. He was actually popular almost everywhere he went in Greece. I think Greeks could relate to his face - which carried an incredible amount of misery. 

There are too many ironies about this Portuguese triumph..beating the French on their home tournament.. the scars have truly been healed.

I think what Santos learnt in Greece was how to deal with personalities. He became an expert. I have heard Greeks bad-mouth nearly every manager who has stepped foot in Greece - but never one bad word for Santos. He became an expert man manager. I mean to deal with Greeks - successfully.. is like completing boot camp for the Special forces. All the good wishes to him and Portugal from Greeks is genuine. He has a special bond with Hellas.

the Greek connection.. with Benfica.. with Santos.. with even me being here.. something important has definitely exchanged. Greece is on the most extreme south eastern point in Europe and Portugal the most West. I think the cultural exchange is mutually beneficial and I don't think it stops after today either.

Once again, congratulations. Super victory. Well done Portugal. 

[Festivus]

Portugal played like a team. People feared the worst with all the focus on Ronaldo but they were actually a team this tournament unlike in 2014.

Also, Faliro, I noticed that I barely saw any fear among people in the days before the final. Maybe many of us knew, deep down, that we'd take it home? It's kinda odd... was that how you and others felt before the 2004 final? i recall you saying something about it...

[Faliro]

Portugal played like a team. People feared the worst with all the focus on Ronaldo but they were actually a team this tournament unlike in 2014.

Also, Faliro, I noticed that I barely saw any fear among people in the days before the final. Maybe many of us knew, deep down, that we'd take it home? It's kinda odd... was that how you and others felt before the 2004 final? i recall you saying something about it...

Correct. As you probably know Greeks are doom merchants most the time. The days before the Euro 2004 final however - every single Greek I spoke to - without exception, believed Greece would win. I was like.. I questioned them further.. they just said, 'we are going to win..just watch.' Even my mother put money on Greece to win the tournament just before the tournament.. I thought she was insane. Having been to many games and been involved in football for many years I can state categorically this attitude was unprecedented and not seen before or since. Even when Greece play someone like Lichtenstein there are false smiles of confidence.. However before Euro 2004 there was a real feeling, Greeks would not leave Portugal without taking the Cup.

The Portuguese who live very near me made a barbecue yesterday and they all seemed very relaxed about the whole thing also.

Sometimes.. it is just your time..

However I also feel the Portuguese deserved it. Both in the game itself and historically. Portugal has a strong football tradition (and Roller Hockey of course.. I joke) and fully deserved this Cup.

[Festivus]

Portugal played like a team. People feared the worst with all the focus on Ronaldo but they were actually a team this tournament unlike in 2014.

Also, Faliro, I noticed that I barely saw any fear among people in the days before the final. Maybe many of us knew, deep down, that we'd take it home? It's kinda odd... was that how you and others felt before the 2004 final? i recall you saying something about it...

Correct. As you probably know Greeks are doom merchants most the time. The days before the Euro 2004 final however - every single Greek I spoke to - without exception, believed Greece would win. I was like.. I questioned them further.. they just said, 'we are going to win..just watch.' Having been to many games and been involved in football for many years I can state categorically this attitude was unprecedented and not seen before or since. Even when Greece play someone like Lichtenstein there are false smiles of confidence.. However before Euro 2004 there was a real feeling, Greeks would not leave Portugal without taking the Cup.

The Portuguese who live very near me made a barbecue yesterday and they all seemed very relaxed about the whole thing also.

Sometimes.. it is just your time..

However I also feel the Portuguese deserved it. Both in the game itself and historically. Portugal has a strong football tradition (and Roller Hockey of course.. I joke) and fully deserved this Cup.

Well not everyone was confident in the victory, but I didn't see anyone scared shitless. I think people were like "well if we win yeah, if we lose... well it's against the host and we didn't impress much so..." I guess there wasn't that much pressure.

Ronaldo's injury was of concern not because of him per se but because it could affect the team psychology... and it did for about 20 mins or so.

[Faliro]

I actually like the way Portugal play without Ronaldo sometimes. Who knows what would have happened if he hadn't taken that knock.

[Festivus]

I actually like the way Portugal play without Ronaldo sometimes. Who knows what would have happened if he hadn't taken that knock.

yeah I think it might have been beneficial to us in the end. It annoyed me how he insisted on playing before eventually getting subbed. He can be so selfish. You don't waste time early in a final.

You say Greeks are doom merchants? So are we, somewhat.

[Faliro]

I actually like the way Portugal play without Ronaldo sometimes. Who knows what would have happened if he hadn't taken that knock.

yeah I think it might have been beneficial to us in the end. It annoyed me how he insisted on playing before eventually getting subbed. He can be so selfish. You don't waste time early in a final.

You say Greeks are doom merchants? So are we, somewhat.

Indeed, also i may add, arguably Greece's best player was also missing from the Euro 2004 final.. Karagounis. He has a similar character in that everything has to be about him. He takes every free-kick.. bullies players to pass him etc..

[KamikazeSLB]

I never believed that this was possible.

I think the people involvement was growing as they were winning. Few people believed it was possible to win the Euro... Only if Ronaldo was in god mode would be possible.

[Faliro]

Super in depth article on Fernando Santos in Greece. Describes his character and methodology. Click on photo for article.

[Festivus]

Was never fond of Santos but my respect for him improved tenfold last night. I gotta give credit where it's due.

[Faliro]

Me also. Never liked his style - always found it overly defensive in Greece.

However, he would get very good results. I mean look at his time with Greece - he had a better win ratio (53% wins) than even Rehhagel (50% wins)!

Many Greeks admired him far more than I did. However - he is a good quality manager. After last night.. I am sure he has the freedom of Portugal. 

[Jotenko]

It seems that your people loves Fernando... 

A lot, the feeling is mutual. Santos/Greece one heart.

Did you heard his statement to you (Greek people) in flash interview?

This one?

https://vine.co/v/5WIXzIegrtT

Every Greek media carried this, it is the headline in every Greek media website. Many Greeks cried when they heard this. Santos is much much loved in Greece. He has often spoken that when he is away from Greece he misses it deeply and feels he has to return. Greeks are extremely respectful of Santos. They feel he is Greek. He also speaks Greek.

He said tonight in Greek, ''To all the Greeks, thank you, you are always in my heart.''

Even makes me emotional to hear these words, he has a very special connection with Greece and Greeks.

Quite Natural
The man passed many years in Greece training two of the biggest greek themes like Panathinaikos and AEK.
If we were champions it was without a doubt of the greek knowledge that he gattered during his time in there.
So in a way yeah, i feel like there is a litle bit of "Greek" under this portuguese triumph, as ironical as it might be since we put france under our own shoes for the euro 2004 final.

He spent a lot of years at PAOK especially. He was actually popular almost everywhere he went in Greece. I think Greeks could relate to his face - which carried an incredible amount of misery. 

There are too many ironies about this Portuguese triumph..beating the French on their home tournament.. the scars have truly been healed.

I think what Santos learnt in Greece was how to deal with personalities. He became an expert. I have heard Greeks bad-mouth nearly every manager who has stepped foot in Greece - but never one bad word for Santos. He became an expert man manager. I mean to deal with Greeks - successfully.. is like completing boot camp for the Special forces. All the good wishes to him and Portugal from Greeks is genuine. He has a special bond with Hellas.

the Greek connection.. with Benfica.. with Santos.. with even me being here.. something important has definitely exchanged. Greece is on the most extreme south eastern point in Europe and Portugal the most West. I think the cultural exchange is mutually beneficial and I don't think it stops after today either.

Once again, congratulations. Super victory. Well done Portugal. 

Hey Faliro.

Haven't talked to you since our EURO victory.

I still can not believe it but... The circle that opened in 2004 is now closed and we can now be in peace with our national team.

[Lm27]

is Joao Mario a good player?

[Cloughie]

is Joao Mario a good player?

Yes.

But not for 40M + 5M.
You're being robbed.