A month of frenzied Euro 2016 action, witnessed a few shocking upsets and pleasant surprises thrown in for good measure to sustain the interest of a true football aficionado. En route to the blockbuster on Sunday at Saint-Denis, a battle royale is set to unfold with Portugal pitted against hosts France.
Basil Sylvester Pinto
Panaji
A month of frenzied Euro 2016 action, witnessed a few shocking upsets and pleasant surprises thrown in for good measure to sustain the interest of a true football aficionado. En route to the blockbuster on Sunday at Saint-Denis, a battle royale is set to unfold with Portugal pitted against hosts France.
While Portugal, rode on lady luck to make it to the knockout stage, the inconsistent performance of their star striker, Cristiano Ronaldo made them a susceptible side but the fortune cookie has been their benefactor. With Ronaldo giving every indication to have regained his deftness and finesse in the semis
encounter against Wales and young turk, Renato Sanches looking lethal, the two can form a potent force towards unlocking the team unification play of the ‘Les Bleus’ French side.
The Goan Everyday spoke to a few fans to elicit their views on which side had in them to win the coveted Euro 2016 title.
Craig Lazaro, a young animator from Margao, has been passionately cheering for France from the outset. He says that he has been supporting France as they have a good team spirit and they have the players who can change the game within seconds.
“They have the most to prove and the heart to win the title,” he stated.
On the opposition, he confidently says they have no challenge from Portugal and France will thrash them. “If Portugal stands a chance to win, they can only if they take it the penalties as they always do,” he adds with a veiled sarcasm.
According to him, the French pair of Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann are his favourites as they have the confidence and combine well.
But to get to the finals he did admit it was not easy to crack the German side that they have not defeated in a major tourney since 1958. “In the semis, Germany dominated but France had a plan and stuck to it. The hosts took their chances to capitalise on the odd lapses from the World Champions,” he conceded.
Mark Alvaro Valadares, a young football fan from Panaji, like most Goans knows where his heart lies. “I think Portugal have a good chance of winning the Euro Cup because unlike in the last few major tournaments, this time they look a much stronger unit with rising players like Renato Sanches, Joao Mario, Andre Gomes, William Carvalho in their ranks,” he opined.
“Their defence looks pretty strong and their attack looks potent too, with Nani looking in good form, Quaresma looking good as a Super Sub,” young Valadares felt.
“Their coach looks tactically very good and obviously they have Cristiano Ronaldo who has shown over the last decade that he can single-handedly win any game,” the Don Bosco College undergraduate stated.
Admitting the inconsistency of CR7 this Euro, he stated with a counter question that though he has not been consistent this Euro Cup, the cream rises to the top only when the milk is going to boil, isn’t it?
Validating his support to the star striker and captain of Portugal, he says that he has proved just that by his telling performance in two crucial games “ the important group game (vs Hungary) and in the semi-final (vs Wales).
“Having said this, another reason they have a good chance at winning the coveted title is because they have not been over-reliant on Ronaldo with others like Nani, Pepe, Renato, Quaresma stepping up,” the Panaji resident pointed out.
“Many might say France are huge favourites because of their home support but that will only put extra pressure on them," he concluded.
Julie Ferrao D’Mello, a fashion designer from Candolim like most Goan fans is a pro-Portugal supporter.
“I have been a biggest ever fan and supporter of Portugal since childhood. I love Ronaldo’s performance and their team work. Seasons may go, players may change but I still am there supporting the team. I do not change sides as seasons change. For better or worse, win or lose in the finals, Viva Portugal,” the loyal Portugual fan had to say.
