England Vs. Portugal - The Match Preview

By Michael Lynch
June 28 2004

England will take on Portugal tonight as they aim to qualify for the semi-finals of the European Championships. Portugal are playing on their own turf, have a quality line-up and have the backing of a nation- but will they be able to match a confident England side who also have a great support.

England Vs. Portugal
Wednesday 22nd June 2004
England will take on Portugal tonight as they aim to make it to the Semi-finals of the European Championships for only the second time in their history. Breaking the Portuguese down is no mean feat. They have an incredible array of talent in their side from a blend of young and experienced talent, will be full of confidence and have the obvious advantage of being the host nation. England also have an incredible support, however, and will probably take as many to Lisbon as they do! Most eyes will be firmly fixed on young star Wayne Rooney as he looks to continue the impressive form that has seen the 18 year old add another few naughts onto his value- Everton manager David Moyes even rating him at 50 million pounds! Portugal have their own young starlet, though- there pride is in 19 year-old Manchester United midfielder Christiano Ronaldo. This guy, who happens to be very fond of step-overs and the smell of turf, has stated that his team aren't afraid of England or Rooney. My view is that they should be, though. Their side does not match the quality of the team they had four years ago- and although they do have the right balance between young and old in terms of the amount of players in the squad- most of their star players are getting on a bit. Figo and Rui Costa spring to mind. Our Prediction: England 2-1 Portugal (Rooney, Lampard : Rui Costa) One2Watch (Portugal)- Christiano Ronaldo The young midfielder mentioned previously- Christiano is a a skillful little thing. In his short football career the has so far developed a strange liking for the trick we all know of the step-over- to such extent that absolutely nobody will be tricked by it. He'll also fall on the floor upon being challenged. We can't just say negative things about this guy, though. And however much we'd like to say that their star man is absolute crap: we cannot. Sadly. Christiano does have the pace, passing and movement that one needs in order to develop into a world class player. He's a favourite with his fans and I may have been exaggerating a little when I said his step-overs have "no effect." One2Watch (England) - Wayne Rooney He was the youngest player ever to score in the European Championships for a while this summer- but the player had his thunder stolen. He wasn't about to let that affect him, however, and he has made himself the top-scorer in the tournament so far with 4 sensational goals. Rooney is the talk of Europe and the name on everybody's lips back home. England is in the midst of Rooney mania and it's not about to go away. Every game Rooney improves and tomorrow we should see no exception. Will Rooney continue to upstage the out-of-form Michael Owen? Hopefully the star-striker from the other half of Merseyside can pick up his form, also- as he has proved somewhat of a disappointment so far this season. Star Player (Portugal) - Luis Figo Getting on a bit- but still Portugal's most famous player. The Real Madrid superstar made the controversial across the Catalonian border to switch sunny Barcelona for the equally sensational Madrid. Unfortunately the two teams hate each other and the player is now seen as a Judas amongst Barca fans. Figo was not phased by having a pigs head thrown at him, however- and the midfielder still manages to maintain his reputation as one of the world's finest players. Star Player (England) - David Beckham Well what can I say? David Beckham is the world's most famous football player. Married to one member of the biggest ever girl band- Beckham shot to fame because of his handsome looks; but it's what happens on the pitch that will matter to the England captain this summer. "Golden Balls," as he is known to his many adoring fans, will be squaring up against his Real Madrid team-mate Luis Figo tonight and will surely relish the challenge.
©ForestFC.co.uk, 2004

England Vs. Portugal

Wednesday 22nd June 2004

England will take on Portugal tonight as they aim to make it to the Semi-finals of the European Championships for only the second time in their history.

Breaking the Portuguese down is no mean feat. They have an incredible array of talent in their side from a blend of young and experienced talent, will be full of confidence and have the obvious advantage of being the host nation. England also have an incredible support, however, and will probably take as many to Lisbon as they do!

Most eyes will be firmly fixed on young star Wayne Rooney as he looks to continue the impressive form that has seen the 18 year old add another few naughts onto his value- Everton manager David Moyes even rating him at 50 million pounds!

Portugal have their own young starlet, though- there pride is in 19 year-old Manchester United midfielder Christiano Ronaldo. This guy, who happens to be very fond of step-overs and the smell of turf, has stated that his team aren't afraid of England or Rooney.

My view is that they should be, though. Their side does not match the quality of the team they had four years ago- and although they do have the right balance between young and old in terms of the amount of players in the squad- most of their star players are getting on a bit. Figo and Rui Costa spring to mind.

Our Prediction: England 2-1 Portugal (Rooney, Lampard : Rui Costa)

One2Watch (Portugal)- Christiano Ronaldo
The young midfielder mentioned previously- Christiano is a a skillful little thing. In his short football career the has so far developed a strange liking for the trick we all know of the step-over- to such extent that absolutely nobody will be tricked by it. He'll also fall on the floor upon being challenged.

We can't just say negative things about this guy, though. And however much we'd like to say that their star man is absolute crap: we cannot. Sadly.

Christiano does have the pace, passing and movement that one needs in order to develop into a world class player. He's a favourite with his fans and I may have been exaggerating a little when I said his step-overs have "no effect."

One2Watch (England) - Wayne Rooney
He was the youngest player ever to score in the European Championships for a while this summer- but the player had his thunder stolen. He wasn't about to let that affect him, however, and he has made himself the top-scorer in the tournament so far with 4 sensational goals.

Rooney is the talk of Europe and the name on everybody's lips back home. England is in the midst of Rooney mania and it's not about to go away. Every game Rooney improves and tomorrow we should see no exception.

Will Rooney continue to upstage the out-of-form Michael Owen? Hopefully the star-striker from the other half of Merseyside can pick up his form, also- as he has proved somewhat of a disappointment so far this season.

Star Player (Portugal) - Luis Figo
Getting on a bit- but still Portugal's most famous player. The Real Madrid superstar made the controversial across the Catalonian border to switch sunny Barcelona for the equally sensational Madrid. Unfortunately the two teams hate each other and the player is now seen as a Judas amongst Barca fans.

Figo was not phased by having a pigs head thrown at him, however- and the midfielder still manages to maintain his reputation as one of the world's finest players.

Star Player (England) - David Beckham
Well what can I say? David Beckham is the world's most famous football player. Married to one member of the biggest ever girl band- Beckham shot to fame because of his handsome looks; but it's what happens on the pitch that will matter to the England captain this summer.

"Golden Balls," as he is known to his many adoring fans, will be squaring up against his Real Madrid team-mate Luis Figo tonight and will surely relish the challenge.