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Portugal Futbolita : An Update and Rumours!

Futbolita Portugal — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:00:13 +0000

Ola Futbolitas!!!

I thought I’d return and give you an update on how the mourning in Portugal is progressing!

Between Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Queiroz, Luis Figo and Jose Mourinho, they sold a whole lot of newspapers. Long story short, Ronaldo blamed Queiroz, with a single statement,”you want answers, ask CARLOS QUEIROZ!” he told a reporter!

Queiroz then responded with a “Portugal needs Ronaldo, and Ronaldo needs the national side. But if this shirt unnerves some players, they have no grounds to be there.”

Luis Figo then also critised C.R because of his behaviour “My notion of what a captain is perhaps different from other people, but a captain, regardless of the success or failure always has to defend the group. In hard times he should face the consequences for the group”

Jose Mourinho then defended his new player by stating,” In my teams, when we win, we all win,when we lose, I lose. So Ronaldo can relax and enjoy his holiday, because from next season, while he is my player, I will never allow anyone to put the responsibilities of a team on him!”

And they say women are drama queens! While most of the media fed off of this, and that fact that Queiroz earns 15 times more per year then the Portuguese president, the rest of Portugal went on with their lives, they were obviously sad not to see the team progress, many cursed Ronaldo and Queiroz from this century to the next,but most added that losing against Spain, was nothing to be ashamed of!

The Portuguese hero’s of this World Cup were = “Eduardo and Fabio Coentrao” those two names, where on everyones lips!

Other then Cristiano Ronaldo now being a daddy?!?! ( I still believe soon this son is going to turn out to be a dog!) There are news & rumours about some of the players and their futures:

Eduardo – The new darling of Portugal! He recently signed from Braga to Genoa in Italy.

Fabio Coentrao – At only 22 years old, he already has the respect of so many, the rumour is that Benfica have reached an agreement with Bayern Munich.

Deco – Retired from international football after the World Cup. Rumours are that if he can negotiate out of his current contract witht Chelsea, he could be returning to his country of birth Brazil to play for Fluminense.

Ricardo Carvalho – Reports are that he could soon be a Inter Milan player. At 32 I think this too was his last World Cup!

Tiago - Rumours are that Barcelona are “keeping an eye” on him, could he soon be playing for THAT team…

Meireles – Apparently Chelsea are set to sign him from Porto.

Hugo Almeida – Rumour is he could be heading back home to play for the current champs, Benfica.

The morning after Portugal’s loss I received my official futbolita t-shirt… I had to laugh, talk about rubbing it in!

With that I want to wish the Holland and Spanish teams, and fans, the best of luck for Sunday! May the best team win!

Signing off, Your Portugal Futbolita

Monica

Greaseano Junior, Anyone?

Ash — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:43:23 +0000

So the sky fell apart when Greaseano failed to cry into Queiroz’s coat pocket following Portugal’s exit from the World Cup… but that’s because he’s too excited that he is now a PAPA! Deus Doce, everyone had their doubts about it, but since no one has come forward to deny the statements, it’s good as true.

Greasy’s son was born on June 16 and the surrogate mother is from San Diego, but we’ve already established that the poor baby wasn’t the result of a random hook-up with Herpey Hilton. Mano’s sister, Katia, said : “He has brown eyes and hair like his father. He seems to follow Cristiano a lot.” The real question is, why did Greaseano need a surrogate mother? And why is this all so random?

(PS : Artificial insemination was also picked up by Ricky Martin and Clay Aiken. YA’LL know what happened when those two eventually had to come out of the cupboard.)

Please take a moment to enjoy this exquisite creature of beauty.

via AP, Correio

O MELHOR : PORTUGAL X BRASIL!

Ash — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:10:03 +0000

In the end, after all that struggling, o manos were unable to convert (ei Nilmar!!!) and beat Portugal. Sure, Robinho would’ve been the better finisher but there was nothing at stake yesterday (except for top spot) so whatever ya’ll say, we’re behind NILMAR. Also, those yellow cards were completely unnecessary and Pepe has proven once again, that he deserves to be oil wrestling and not football. You may be reluctant to admit that Greaseano also stood out yesterday for his speed and anticipation of the ball. Despite some lapses, caras were able to contain him.

On the stands, Kaka was spending his time texting his wife next to Elano. Meu Deus, everybody wanted him to come onto the pitch to do something although he was serving a ban. He should’ve WALTZ into the field, teria sido perfeita!

Seleção Bootcamp : Estamos Prontos Para Portugal?!

Ash — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 02:26:42 +0000

BEM VINDO to the Matchday edition of Seleção Bootcamp! Don’t you love it that everybody has their headphones on in the morning? What could fofo Nilmar possibly be listening to? Lady Gaga? Meu Deus, we bet it’s Bebel Gilberto…. or Sergio Mendes! In the last two days, the guys have been training at 4:30pm everyday and attending the compulsory press conferences. At every World Cup, teams have to follow a specific FIFA protocol, and it’s no different with the selecao. Everybody has to face the press and if you’re lucky, you get the jokers Luisao or even Julio Cesar, as he proved other day. Or if you want to throw daggers at someone, Felipe Melo will be the man for you – but he won’t take it lightly!

Anyway, caras face off against Portugal today and we feel like we’ve been waiting for this one since FOREVER. Listen Greaseano, please play nice today ou eu vou mandar uma garrafa de GASOLINA para a sua casa em Madrid. Your stepovers can be nice to watch, but today, you won’t be the only one doing it because Robinho is IN THE HOUSE. Forcaaaaaa and BEIJOS to you from the squad….!

via AFP, R.Ribeiro

Desta é para ganhar!

Futbolita Portugal — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 04:19:08 +0000

Well this world cup has been full of surprises hasn’t it! I’m becoming rather paranoid!!! I have quotated Ronaldo before, when he said that in this World Cup you can’t expect to win against the ‘smaller’ teams anymore! He was spot on!

The day following the draw,the people in Portugal were still depressed,and questioning our team! But the boys can still count on all their loving supporters in South Africa, when they arrived at their training grounds in Magaliesburg,the next day, about five thousand fans were present, my mother in law was one of them,and she was so excited to tell me that she had gotten Michel’s autograph… Michel? We have a Michel playing for us, why don’t I know this? Who the heck is Michel?! AHHHH Miguel!!!

Since Tuesday I have gone over and over every possible scenario for this group. The one I like most is the one where Portugal wins their next two games, so we can be at 7 points, and let the others battle it out amongst themselves!

This group could also end up in a three way tie,or a two way tie, and then be decided on goal difference therefore, I beg you boys, por favor i Please! Score goals, a lot of goals! I think it is safe to say that we will see a more aggressive Portugal in this match! There will probably be some changes in the starting line up! If I were coach I wouldn’t leave a player like Simao on the bench, he is too valuable to us,so I hope he starts in this game. I don’t know when Pepe will start again, but it would be good to see him too, he is so strong!

As far as goals go, I don’t care which of our players score, as long as they score! Liedson was judged quite a bit after failing to score, but then Cristiano even more, after C.Ronaldo’s name the usual, “if only he played for us the way he plays for his club ” follows!

There have been two big stories in the Portuguese press this week!

One is about Ronaldo’s yellow card, in the previous game!

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) appealed the yellow card. In a statement, the FPF said: ” The Portuguese player was tripped and pushed near the Ivory Coast penalty box. As soon as he got up, he was surrounded by his opponents and then pushed and insulted.Despite provocations, Cristiano Ronaldo accepted, without complaint, the fact that the referee did not signal disciplinary offence against these players, which is required under the Laws of the Game.Given the facts presented there is a disparity in the showing of the cards, since the African player who committed a foul received a yellow card and the Portuguese player who just tried to walk away from the situation was also punished.”

FIFA have since rejected the appeal,I thought as much! People are not happy obviously, if Ronaldo gets a yellow in this match, he will miss the Brazil match! No team wants to have such a big name, miss a game as important as that of Brazil! So Ronaldo, Juizo Rapaz!

Something else that has become an issue is, is there friction in our camp?

This because when Deco was substituded early, he went straight for the tunnel, instead of joining his team on the bench, and after the game, Deco had this to say: “We weren’t playing great but I’m sure we were improving. The substitutions weren’t as good as they might have been, but the coach makes the calls.” He felt that he had been substituted too early,and he felt that he had it in him to still help his teammates. He was also upset about having to play on the right, “I’m not a winger“.

This caused an upset, and everyone wondered, if this team is getting along. Deco the following day, had this to say to the media, “I want to make clear that I did not, and do not, have any problem with the coach and it was never my intention to question the leadership and decision making of Carlos Queiroz. The things I said were said in the heat of the moment.”

Politics, that’s all this is … So let’s hope all these issues are now forgotten, and let’s get this next win! You have many critics to shut up, so get on with it!

And just as Murphy’s law would have it, we have just heard that Deco has hurt his left hip, and is doubtful for Monday’s match!

I am not going to predict this time, i’m rather going to go the real classy way, and BEG for a win, with at least 3 goals, please and thank you! I leave you with some of the things you might find, if you happen to be in the beautiful Cape Town for Portugal’s next match.

Força Portugal

Green Point Stadium, hopefully the stadium where Portugal will win their first 2010 wc game!

Just in case you get lost!

The vuvuzela that will go off, every time a goal is scored at Green Point Stadium!

“In an opening game, you take fewer risks. You don’t throw everything into attack the second game will be much more straight forward: we have to make things happen … we have to win to give ourselves a chance of progressing.” – Carlos Queiroz

Beijinhos, signing off

Your Portuguese Futbolita

Monica

Picture of the Day

Ash — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:13:28 +0000

"UGGGH, shut up already.. I just want to check if that menina over there is Sara Carbonara!!" / via Reuters

Noticias : Robinho Forgot To Shave & Portugal’s Inspirational Video!

Ash — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:56:39 +0000

OK pessoas, if you were wondering about Seleção Bootcamp, it will be back at full force this weekend. Fútbolita has been trying to find the right percussion instruments to play at the Fairway Hotel and Nilmar approves, so watch out for it!

Meanwhile, while you pretend to read about the Korean war, Robinho has admitted that he “forgot to shave” during the match against North Korea last night. He probably should have – Maicon did and it worked! Sure, the score was “only” 2-1 against the North Koreans but este é o jeito brasileiro!!

“I even forgot to shave,” admitted Robinho. “Ugly face (but) nice football, God willing!”

Here’s a video of the Portuguese squad and Greaseano stripping ‘preparing’ for battle – presumably against that stalemate of a game you and your uncle had to watch the other day. Listen, the World Cup is NOT boring and if anybody says that to you, just hand them a packet of ice and tell them that Juande Ramos is waiting to tell them fairytales. Geez, it’s only the first game! You know Rui Costa is rolling his eyes as we speak!

Stalemate for Portugal!

Futbolita Portugal — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:06:12 +0000

After the full time whistle, the result wasn’t what I or any other Portugal fan had hoped, we wanted to have that first win! This is a tough group, and there is no space for mistakes! I couldn’t help think that both sides were playing it safe, not taking too many chances! While I watched on I saw the same squad that has left me with alot of questions the last couple of months! In the morning I will probably feel differently,but now I have mixed reactions. Me and the Portugal fans…

Here are some of their comments:

” They could have scored at least one goal, was it really so hard? But I guess a draw is better then nothing.”

” Scolari please come back, we don’t deserve a 1st assistant coach, we want a coach worthy of our Seleccao, our team has forgotten how to play with pride.But we will believe till the end”

” We didn’t do badly, people talk as if we are already on our way back home,it was a draw against the African team favourite to win,we did well, Ronaldo was man of the match.”

” Next game will be different, they will win North Korea and then Brazil, not all the best teams in the world have won, many have drawn too!”

Of course there were also many,many fans that do not think our team did that badly at all,and still believe that this World Cup Title is ours! It’s no secret our squad isn’t perfect, but it wasn’t so bad,that people should be so negative already! I told you before,Portuguese people are harsh critics!

One of the highlights for me was at the 11th minute,when Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot, hit the post from 30 yards, damn that would have been a goal that would have been remembered for a long,long time! He wants it so bad,and I know from watching him play all his matches in the last season at Real Madrid,that if he can just score a first,the rest will come pouring in.

Defense wise, both teams were strong, and I think we kind of cancelled each other out in this match – unfortunately! To me the name Fabio Coentrao is a name that the world should get use to, he impresses me more and more with each game!I also have to admit, that Drogba brings that extra boost to Ivory Coast, when he came on, they suddenly played with more determination, BUT still couldn’t get past our defense!

I have to mention the incident between Ronaldo and Demel, the ref gave both players a yellow, other then the foul language he exchanged with Demel, I think it was harsh,and after all that,Ronaldo still didnt get a free kick! Fifa have to do something about these sort of things, they cannot continue to ignore modern technology to help better this beautiful game!

“Why aren’t you fearing me? I’m an Elephant you know!” (via Getty)

Talking about Fifa, reminds me of something I have been meaning to bring up, alot of matches were apparently *sold out* when friends of mine tried to get tickets, so why Fifa, WHY wasn’t the stadium full? I hope that in the next world cup, the ticketing system won’t be the headache it was in South Africa! Futbolita Portugal HATES empty stadiums!!!

The actual line up was, Eduardo, Alves, Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mendes, Liedson, Danny, Raul Meireles, Deco and Fabio Coentrao. Simao came on for Danny at 55′ , Tiago followed at 62′ for Deco. My cousin loves Deco so much,so she will kill me for saying this, but does he still have it?! What about Simao, shouldnt he have started? Ruben Amorim that was called up to take Nani’s place, made his first appearance for the Senior Portugal team, when he came in for the last 5 minutes.

So do we still have a chance? I will believe until the very last whistle blows on us! Queiroz said that although they had wanted the 3 points, that he was happy with a draw,he knew afterall that it wasn’t going to be easy!

I don’t like draws, but I would rather take a draw then loosing! Seeing as it was against one of the top African teams, it wasn’t too bad. I do however want to see Portugal play with more passion, I know it’s in there somewhere!

Until the next match

Signing Off

Your Portuguese Futbolita

Monica

Beijinhos

PORTUGUESE FUTBOLITA : Bring it on!

Futbolita Portugal — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:26:36 +0000

Over 500 years ago Bartolomeu Dias, a Portuguese navigator and explorer, was the first European to travel successfully across the southern tip of Africa in the hopes of finding a trade route with India. Along his journey he named and discovered the Cape of Good Hope (Cape Town), travelling eastwards, he entered and named what is now known as Mossel bay (near Port Elizabeth) then we had another great, Vasco da Gama, he discovered Natal which is where Durban is situated.

How ironic is it that Portugal play their group matches in these places! Professore Queiros has given our squad the nickname “navigators” and if you think of the history Portugal has with South Africa I think it’s a very fitting one! How incredible wouldn’t it be if we could win all 3 of the group matches in those special places!

But getting back to the present, the team arrived today in Port Elizabeth, hundreds of fans awaited their arrival outside the Protea Marine Hotel!

With doubts still as to wether Didier Drogba will play tomorrow, our Captain has said that to him it makes no difference if he plays or not, “surely they not going to play with 10 players only, if he can’t play or are they?” He added that it will be a battle, “Ivory Coast, like most African teams are big, quick and a physical team.” Drogba of course being present would bring that something special to the game,after all you want to win against a full strength team dont you! Drogba of course had a good season with Chelsea scoring 29 goals in the 2009/2010 season! But he isn’t the only talent to the Ivory Coast squad, they also have his Chelsea team mate Salomou Kalou, Kolo Toure and of course his brother Yaya Toure of Barcelona.

Will he be ready? (Photo Reuters)

“It’s not only my view. Many experts think there is a good chance that Côte d’Ivoire could become the first African side to reach the semi-finals of a Wold Cup.” said Carlos Queiros, and I too wouldn’t under estimate them!

But they also have Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has never coached an African team and has only been with them a very short time. Also as any proud Portuguese will tell you, our boys have crushed Sven’s dreams before,by eliminating his then team, England, out of the Euro 2004 and again in the last World Cup! He himself has said , “Portugal has knocked me out twice,this time I hope to change things.”

I for one hope we can be third time lucky, and get that all important first win over the Elephants!

Also I don’t like this assumption, that whoever wins tomorrow between these two teams will go through the group stages, with Brazil…. HELLO…..seriously, does everyone assume that the rest of the group are playing for second place then?! This is called the group of death, surely then there could also be a possibilty that Brazil don’t go through?

Yes they might be one of the favourites, but that doesn’t automatically put them at the final!

Having said all that,it’s going to be tough, but I think if we stay focused, we are capable of going through. My prediction for tomorrow hm, Portugal 2-1 Ivory Coast. Maybe even 3… hint,hint

Who our XI will be, is still not known, I’m guessing we could be looking at Eduardo, Miguel, Ricardo Carvalho, Alves, Duda, Meireles, Veloso, Simao, Deco, Cristiano Ronaldo and Liedson. If Pepe plays he will probably come on later in the game. I’m hoping that after 16 months of not scoring for Portugal, Ronaldo will silence all his critics.

Ronaldo and Pepe in Port Elizabeth (photo Reuters)

“I don’t fear any team in the world, but I also have respect for every team, you can’t expect to win easily against a small opponent like in the past. We have a very tough group. I would say the World Cup winner could come from here.” Cristiano Ronaldo

Signing Off, your very anxious for Tuesday

Futbolita Portuguesa

Mónica

Beijinhos

Força Portugal

Não para Nani!

Ash — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:23:41 +0000

Looks like it won’t be a thumbs up for Senhor Nani anymore! Que triste… after an injury to his left collarbone, he has been ruled out of the World Cup and surely, cara must be feeling the blow.

Someone needs to build a “We Still Care About You” hospitality tent in South Africa to house the likes of Becks, Ferdinand, Ballackwurst, Essien, Diarra, Diving Drogba and possibly now, Agent Robben. These guys will be badly missed at the World Cup but at least the hospitality tent will give fans a chance to meet them – and possibly throw darts at them.

Anyway, you can still enjoy the broody Bruno Alves, who really should have been cast in the Apocalypto film!

via AP Photo