主播大秀

There's a lot of myth and nonsense surrounding Scolari. He's a good coach, but hardly unbeatable, as Greece proved in Euro 2004. In fact, I think that one of the reasons that England tend to fail at major tournaments is that we overestimate the opposition and put certain teams on a pedestal. Scolari and Portugal are certainly beatable if England go on the pitch with the right attitude. The attitude towards Scolari reminds me of the awful, fawning sycophancy that possesses English journalists when they talk about Brazil. Despite the fact that the "Samba Boys" have played very average football, their every pass is described as though they had re-invented the wheel. It's only now that journalists are beginning to realise that Ronaldinho has been distinctly poor this World Cup. In the words of Chuck D: "Don't believe the hype".

Couldn't agree more with Greg S. Portugal are defnitely beatable. What is more important is confidence and determination. Look at the Aussies... and though they have some 'quality' in their side, their greatest strength has been teamwork and a burning desire to win. Football is a team a game and England must play as a team.....

Friends in high places...?

Hope that does not include the Argentinian referee!

here here!

Agree agree!! Something else that has impressed me is the inteliigence with which Englands players have fielded some rather predicatble and tedious questions. Some brains are behind the brawn! Very impressive, good luck boys!

I'm not worried about Scolari's tactics against England in the next match by the law of averages it surely must be our time to conquer this supposed voodoo.
My main worry is the appointment of an Argentinian Ref., the dodgy ref in Englands first match was bad enough (Mexican), need I say more?
We need a cushion of 2 or 3 goals so that the Ref. cannot influence the game negatively vis-a-vis Euro 2004!
COME ON ENGLAND AND START THE "GOAL-FEST"!

Don't forget that England also have a secret weapon......

His name is Theo Walcott

So secret that nobody has even seen him yet

Very difficult to mark an invisible man !!!!!

Sven is definitely the master tactician of the two - surely that seals the argument !

Best point made is one that seems not to have been much discussed this week: the Holland game has changed the mind-set of the Portuguese. Historically, self-confidence has been in short supply with the team (some might say, with the people as a whole), so the game last Sunday, a determined effort on the whole (even with inexplicable lapses in judgment and discipline) against the odds and a determined, brutish Dutch team, has made people proud for the resolve and unity displayed. It is a quality that has often separated past, talented teams from success on the pitch. Not since the quarterfinals in 1966 have we seen the joy in unity on display at the end of the Holland match. This will be a great game.

England is the most overrated team in the world. In any game let be football or cricket we hear they are going to win it this time. Alas, that day never comes! Most likely will never come! Every world cup we hear that they got so and so. And that so and so is as good as Pele or Maradona.. But all of them end up with little lower than average good players in Brazil or Argentina. English media creates hypes and English fans believe in it. Nothing wrong with patriotism, somebody needs to let these English folks know that they ain鈥檛 any good. They must not compare them with Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Italy. They are always a 2nd tire team. That they always will be. It鈥檚 their fate and they need to understand it.

I have no idea what will happen, but either way it will change England's World Cup. Either England lose, and the press will have it's day of gloating over Sven and his millionaires, or England win and suddenly the country will realise that we just might win the World Cup. We will have broken the "mighty curse of Scolari" (yawn) and the players will be hailed as stoic heroes. We will see. Whatever happens, at least it will be a break from this turgid monotony.

Theo Walcott is the secret weapon i aggree totaly and he wont be used UNLESS we need it. We only have one bullett and i hope we only have to use it in the final.

England have beign poor because the opposition has beign poor, we seem to raise our game to the opponants level - and i think Portugal will be the ones to make us play like we can - We are the best team in the world. We just need to proove it.

If Mr Scolari deserves any credit then its for winning the last world cup with a very ordinary Brazil side. A team who, lets not forget, had to cheat their way past Turkey to get to the final!! Portugal only managed to beat England in Euro 2004 - on home soil - as a result of poor refereeing! Scolari has been caught out before - ask Greece! - so lets forget god and bogey managers! England, man for man, are better than Portugal so lets hope they go out and prove it!!

Portugal really needed Deco in this match and that's why I think they appealed against the second yellow card.
England can look at the match Portugal played against Angola to see how Portugal copes without Deco and plot their plan from there.

England can improve, but if they don't they will be deservedly beaten. At the end of the day the best team will win. My concern is the lack of pace going forward. England have scored some great individual goals but failed create many clear cut chances.

Iam a staunch supporter of England being the coutry that exposed my native country-Kenya to football.

I love the behaviuor of english fans too, reminding me of my local club-Gor Mahia.

In this world cup, I have been nervous whenever England take to the pitch.They have a galaxy of highly rated stars yet they luck one thing.Faith.Faith should be defined as a belief that you will never die, yet you know you will.With this,England will denitely win this trophy.They have everything to do so and I wish them good luck.

Otiende Ezekiel

Portugal as a great team, as also England, the Portuguese celebrate football as a party. Saturday we will see a great football game. Let鈥檚 hope that some minority of England "supporters" understand that football is party not war. Some Holland players (instigated by the coach, who knows...) did not respected Portuguese selection, but among supporters fair play had ruled.
I am sure, that Saturday we will see a great football match, competitive but fair, between friends.

It's pretty simple really, England have to play without fear. From an early age, we as a nation, are taught not to lose.
However, Football is a game of moments, and moments are made by being fearless. So lets encourage the boys to express themselves on saturday, and i'm sure we can make the semi-final date with France (Oh yes, you heard it hear first. France to beat Brazil)

This one is Englands game. David Beckham & Co. know what has to be done. We have got excellent individual talent on the pitch and now it's time to unleash the lions!!!

England as some have observed is an overrated outfit that believes in the hype stoked up by their insufferable media. Portugal will beat them on Saturday and set-up a semi match-up with Brasil. I don't rate France, they are second tier like the English and they're an aging lot already.

What has England done so far in the cup that one could write home about? Absolutely nothing and their bland football will be exposed for the rubbish it is come Saturday!

Brazil have been playing like a team ronaldinho has not been allowed to play like an individual which he did for barcelona. If his is allowed to do this much more createvity is made and more chances. The sad truth about england is when we score a goal we panic and if we let in a goal we are calm. Erickkson is a poor coach who is unable to deal with this.

at least i hope the game will not become such a "card-festival" as POR vs NED did.

As i am neither a supporter of Portugal nor of England i hope for a highly attractive match.

Though i expect the game to end 0-1 or such.

England couldn't win the World Cup if they had ten clones of Wanye Rooney.

One theme I have picked up on in this World Cup is the sycophancy of the English media, when it comes to discussing Brazil. It's not that bad, try and catch a Wimbledon match with either an Englishman or Roger Federer involved. The fawning over the players truly makes me squirm. I takes all the enjoyment out of watching tennis.

You people forget that Portugal reached this stage of the competition with 4 victorys (a total 360 minutes from which Deco played just 160 min). Yes its true that Deco is the main playmaker of Portugal but his substitute will be Sim茫o Saborosa who is in great form at the moment. You English fans forget that it was Sim茫o who paked off Man.Utd and Liverpool in the Champions League this year and he could do the same with England. If i was an English fan, i would not be very optimist in relation to the game. England have better individual players but Portugal have something which most probably is most important in Foolball today - team unity and a coach who inspires the players. (Its exactly what Jos茅 Mourinho does at Chelsea).

I have to say that this has gone off topic a bit.

Scolari is a better coach because he knows how to react when he has to. Sven is stuck in his flat packed ikea style regime, you know what i am talking about.... defend a 1 goal lead with 20 mins to go, or chase the game using 4 5 1?????

We have the players (except lampard who is highly overrated) but no plan B and that is what will ultimately separate us from the best.

if he is a charmed manager wouldn't he have beaten the weak greek team in euro 2004??? or do the greeks pray harder????

england to win 2 - 0 both in first half.

Scolari wins it for me. Eriksson has no passion, he cant give the players the kick that Scolari can. Also, he only took 4 strikers to the world cup, one of whom is now injured, one who's not fit and one who he seems determined not to play!! Oh...and we have Peter crouch...the portuguese must be quaking in their boots! He should hae taken out hargreaves or jenas, who are pants, and put in defoe or darren bent. Just because bent does not play for a top six club Erikssojn doesnt want to know! He's the top english premiership goalscorer for god's sake!

I have to admit, England do look to be one of the more godless nations when it comes to devotion in sport (which saddens me greatly).

However I suggest we don't panic over this. Our Lady of wherever is just a saint - a dead woman. Jesus Christ is God and the only mediator we need... if we are going to get into the habit of praying for victory I'd ask him... as he is the ultimate trump card and pulls rank!

For those of you appealing to St. George it should be noted that he is the patron saint of Portugal too.... ooops!

Filipe Soares is spot on. there is no team spirit in this england team. look at brazil, germany and others, they all jump up after goals are quick to congradulate subbed team mates. look at us. didn't even have an owen number 10 shirt to wave about when we scored. poor poor poor

There appears, during this world cup to have been a lot of negativity surrounding the England team and Sven. Some of this can be somewhat justified with some players with below par performances. But what I can't understand is why experts, the media, are not content for the moment to be in the last eight in the world. Many other "so called" superior teams would have liked to have been there, but they are not.

There is every chance of us progressing. As we all know bad /indifferent teams can drag your own performance down in any sport. This has happened in the past and will happen in the future.

England will beat Portugal 2-1. Whoever we meet in the Semi's we shall overcome.

England v Germany final. England 3-1

40 years in the making.

Despite Portugal's weakened team, continuing unimaginative and downright poor tactics by England's brain trust management team will result in Portugal win. English media, despite all the hype, cannot will a win this time: 1966 and all that will not help. England manager to get his deserved comeuppance. Look for the mandatory Gerrard error; England goalkeeper error and/or Beckham red card. Maybe even a combination of all three.

England to lose.

- from a Scotsman

Portugal may be beatable, but England also is...don't forget that!Portugal, (such as England) has a great team, so there are no winners before the match...So we'll have to wait to see who owns the victory. But, I think Portugal will win...The team chases a big award, so the World Cup would be fabulous!It would be a big big achievement...But above all the things, the macth England-Portugal will be an interesting and a hard game for both teams!Let麓s hope for the best to win.

You english men have always too much expectations on your teams. You talk too much, play too less. Once again you will be complainning about the referee after Portugal send you back home, no doubts about it.

We have a football team. We are in the quarter finals of the World Cup. Have any of you doubting sado's ever seen the glass as half full? Never mind the obviously sour grapes remarks from the sweaty socks. All this hype about the battle of the managers is Boll-x. When the ball lands at Rooneys feet, Sven will not be there to kick it in the net. When Ronaldo breaks, it will be Terry or Neville who will stop him, not Sven. Lets get religeous like big Phil! WE ARE IN THE QUARTER FINALS OF THE WORLD CUP FOR GODS SAKE!

The bottom line is we are in the quarter-finals and are getting better with every game.
Brazil have been far from imposing and yet the hype-machine rolls on.
Sven-bashing can continue well into 2007 as far as I care, all I know is Sven's tactics will work on Saturday and we will bowl into the semis with as much chance as anyone.
And yes, it is us the public and the english media which creates the fear you see on the pitch. England players know how hyper-critical our media can be, without ever giving other answers to the problems posed.
Good luck Sven, even though you shouldn't need it.

I cant believe all the hype being heaped on the England team. They are a horribly average outfit with a few very fine young players. If the coach radically changes the team and drops some of the older members I believe they can be more of an attacking threat. This, as we have seen so far, is unlikely to happen. In all honesty England are a second tier team, the fans and media need to take a reality check! Its laughable Brazil are being talked about as if they are a poor collection of individuals, the quality throughout their team is amazing and they will definitely be the team to beat. So to sum it up how does that song go? "Your going home!" "Your going home!" "Englands going home!" Ha ha!!

We have a football team. We are in the quarter finals of the World Cup. Have any of you doubting sado's ever seen the glass as half full? Never mind the obviously sour grapes remarks from the sweaty socks. All this hype about the battle of the managers is Boll-x. When the ball lands at Rooneys feet, Sven will not be there to kick it in the net. When Ronaldo breaks, it will be Terry or Neville who will stop him, not Sven. Lets get religeous like big Phil! WE ARE IN THE QUARTER FINALS OF THE WORLD CUP FOR GODS SAKE!

We have a football team. We are in the quarter finals of the World Cup. Have any of you doubting sado's ever seen the glass as half full? Never mind the obviously sour grapes remarks from the sweaty socks. All this hype about the battle of the managers is Boll-x. When the ball lands at Rooneys feet, Sven will not be there to kick it in the net. When Ronaldo breaks, it will be Terry or Neville who will stop him, not Sven. Lets get religeous like big Phil! WE ARE IN THE QUARTER FINALS OF THE WORLD CUP FOR GODS SAKE!

Go home scots

We have a football team. We are in the quarter finals of the World Cup. Have any of you doubting sado's ever seen the glass as half full? Never mind the obviously sour grapes remarks from the sweaty socks. All this hype about the battle of the managers is rubbish. When the ball lands at Rooneys feet, Sven will not be there to kick it in the net. When Ronaldo breaks, it will be Terry or Neville who will stop him, not Sven. Lets get religeous like big Phil! WE ARE IN THE QUARTER FINALS OF THE WORLD CUP FOR GODS SAKE!

Spain VS France was a disaster. Now on to the next game.

On RDP Internacional [Portugal] on Short Wave Radio, I heard comments about the England VS Portugal Game. The Coach for Portugal was interviewed concerning the possibilities of Portugal and/or England winning. The Coach refused to make any comments stating that "all depends on the players, weather, and attitude".

This morning in Miami Florida, an Afro-American Nurse in the Jackson Memorial Hospital area came to work with a Sport Shirt and Jeans of the Italian Team [of course both clothes were FIFA Apporved clothes brought at a retail store for those who may think that imitations abound].

She was inspired with football during this World Cup stating: "I enjoyed the World Cup and the NBA."

If we look at brazil barring their demolition of Japan they have only done just enough to get the results. The same is true of england. Portugal are nothing special by any means and with the loss of Deco our first eleven outclasses them in almost every position. England always improves their game when it matters and i trust they will do so again. The hope is that we up it enough to go all the way this time rather than falling down on penalties. England to win 2-1! England vs Germany final in my eyes!

You cant blame Erikson for all the problems in the English team. The truth is that there are many overrated players in the England squad. And the prove is that only one of your men in the World Cup plays in a top European Club outside of England. And everytime a English club plays well in the Champions League, they play with only one or two English. So you麓re stuck with one or two top players(not gods like Pele, Maradona, Eusebio, Bobby Charlton, etc., as your media tries to make you believe), a few individuals who are good players, and a lot of medium players with lack of creativity.

It's interesting that Brazilians seem to be more religious than the English. Watch the Brazilians and you'll see them motioning to the skies after scoring, or praying as a team before their matches.

At the end of the day, it comes down to self-belief rather than believing in some higher being.

So, let's hope that England can show the world that it's what happens on the pitch that *really* matters and defeat Portugal, and presumably Brazil in the semi.

Cheers,
The Gaffer

Portugal, Portugal, Portugal, Portugal....

PPPPOOOORRTTTTTUUUUGAL will win for sure

Mick above says Brazil had to cheat past Turkey to get to the final in 2002. Really? I remember that the semi final was won 1x0 without any controversy at all. If he is referring to the first group match, then the only possible referrence to cheating was Rivaldo's silly face clutching in the 46th minute, when the match was already 2x1 for Brazil and all but decided. So, Mick, go easy on your accusations, or support them with reasonable arguments. It seems that some people gladly claim anything to denigrate others, just because it is hard to understand why another country is so good at winning. Might it simply be that Brazilians do play footy a lot better than the English?

English supporters are a special breed. They find optimism where it is unjustified and then they turn to excuses when their optimism turns to disappointment. Anyone who believes Sol Campbell's goal should have counted at Euro 2004 should turn to John Terry and ask how we got over Ricardo and had his arm draped over the keeper's back. I am stunned to see people talk of this play and believe it was a valid goal. All the talk of referees makes one think that the English forget how the 1966 World Cup ended. Other than the English themselves and those who are doomed to only have English television, nobody wants England to win.

As my country is not playing the world cup, so, being a neutral I agree with the fact "England is overrated". Particularly, media has made English team not the players, however individual players are good in English team.

In the team performance, they are far below Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, France and even Holland. But why do always English fans say - we will win the cup? The answer is they are misguided by the media and publishers. So, its not their fault to say England will win.

Some people comment about Mr. Theo Wallcot as a secret weapon. Please remember sometime a secret weapon will not function properly as it was not tested earlier, as a team player.

Regarding luck, English are lucky because they played in an easy group and then with relatively soft Ecuador side. Now, the real game of England will come tomorrow.

All the best.

Now for the tomorrow's game, I think the result will be England:Portugal = 1:2. So, now plan for the 2010 with new manager. You have sufficient time.

England will never beet a team like Portugal in a big tournament until they start showing a team spirit. I predict a Portugal - Argentina final. Mark my words!

And what if you English win Portugal in the next match?!So what...?You think you'll win Brazil in the semi's?!Not in a life time you could win them...Get a life!If Portugal do not win England another country of portuguese language will!So don't bother...

A lot of pro - Portuguese comments on the blog. Good luck to you all, may the better team win - oh - that would be ENGLAND then!

Not much of a curse if you ask me. More luck on Scolari's part.
Does anyone remember how England lost the last two? A lucky freekick with a Seaman error and a dodgy penalty spot in Portugal. Surely we can't be unlucky a third time.

Seems everyone has got carried away with how good the standard of the English Premiership actually is ? The majority of supposed "superstars" playing in our league have been mediocre in this WC presumably because they aint as good as they appear on Sky sports every Sunday. Henry caught offside more times in the Spain game than he has all season with Arsenal. John Terry hasn't had one clean header let alone looked like scoring from every corner and free kick thrown his way. Same goes for Gerrard & Lampard who were expected to reach double figures in long range goals. Fortunately there aint any other real quality teams left so we still might yet do it Come on Engerland

Russell (post 9).

I believe that you are an Australian. I noticed that you mentioned football and cricket as benchmarks. What about the rugby. Please remember to doff your cap and with downcast eyes you may talk to us. Also you are making your comments on the 主播大秀 website. Does that not stand for British broadcasting corporation. Another first.

It seems that your comments were meant to inflame. I am chuffed that no-one (apart from doofus me) responded to your comments.

And if your not Australian, well, I don't really care.

Come on England. Good luck over the next 9 days.

Holland produced a staggering 19 shots (against 9 from the Portuguese) last sunday and did not manage to score a single one. Why? Because of Portugal's defense players who never gave them space to shoot "correctly". Portugal, on the other hand, had the space to score at will, Maniche had all the space he could possibly need to shoot at the dutch goal.

Do you really think England's attack is any stronger or more imaginative or - dear lord - faster than Holland's?

I would be worried if I was English and truly believed this World Cup was the one (as all my Brit friends do every 4 years).

Steve McClaren will not need me to tell him that a review of the results of world cups from 1930 to the present day will reveal some interesting comparisons and contrasts amongst teams taking part. The incidence of successes by a small number of countries is testament to their mastery of the preparations required. The contrasting lack of success by other leading countries including England is testament to the fact that they do not prepare as well. Brazil, Germany, Argentina and Italy are the masters of world cup preparation and Scolari has had his part to play. England has dwelt forty years on a former success which gives it a belief in a divine right to win every time it plays. Whilst rightly celebrating it, we should put the 66 win in context, remembering that not all of the teams taking part in it had the privilege of playing every game on its home ground, in England's case 'Wembly'. The FA needs to study hard the longer term preparations of countries like the ones I've mentioned, especially Germany and learn from them instead of assuming a haughty 'we know best' attitude. Clearly, according to the statistics, we don't.

England are not over hyped, we do have a fantastic team. I think it's fair to call Ferdinand, Terry (although he has been ropey this w/c), Gerrard, Beckham, Lampard (although again, not in great form) and rooney; world class. What we like is believe and confidence. i have seen no-one to fear in this tournament, certainly not Portugal, although they are good side. If we play as we should however, we will beat them, we are better on paper. Unfortunately, we play on grass. Argentina and Brazil are equal to us or slightly better. We should get thru and face either of them, it will come down to whoever is better on the day.
There is no doubt though that we need to improve our performances; they lack sparkle, imagination and confidence. Work is 90% of winning and we have relied on that so far, now we need that creativity too.

Mick,
You said:
"Portugal only managed to beat England in Euro 2004 - on home soil - as a result of poor refereeing!"

Well.. here's how I saw the game:

England lost because Portugal's Goalkeeper ended up being a better goal scorer than England's captain.

FORCA PORTUGAL!!

AS ARMAS! AS ARMAS!
Sobre a terra e sobre o mar!
AS ARMAS! AS ARMAS!
Pela Pa鈥檛ria lutar!

I am reluctant to say this... but for the wish to not be bombarded for the next 40 years of your greatness in the soccer field I have supported every team that plays against England. Never thought I would ever have supported the Trinidad and Tobago football team in my life. That is not however a criticism of your team, which has good world class type players but is average in that realm... it just your media that irkes me, on a victory they will then wax lyrical over the greatness of your team for decades to come... until sometime around 2100 you win the competition again.
Spare me your media... give me a good entertaining football game.
Irish Jim

The Portuguese team has been recently tagged as mediocre, violent team, a team which is nothing without Deco or C. Ronaldo. If that is really the case, why is the English press and England as a whole (apparently) making such a fuss about next saturday's match? Shouldn't it be easy to beat us?

It's obvious religion has nothing to do with Scolari's victory. He's secret weapon is to make 23 players into a TEAM, 1 unit with the same goal, with the support of their country, whose self-esteem is so undermined the last couple years due to economic factors and make them believe we can achieve something.

And just a quick note to Nick Payne: "Our Lady of wherever..." is not just a dead woman saint, the Our Ladies of Wherever (may it be Caravaggio, Guadalupe or F谩tima) are representation of one woman, Mary, the mother of God. ;)

Anyway, may the best team win, as long as both teams play fair and good football, preferably during regular time. Penalties are the worst way to win any match...

I find it really disgusting that the english media and even depicts the Portuguese players lacking discipline. For the record and this are FACTS, the Portuguese team haven't got a single red card since 2002 until the game with the Netherlands. That game turned "physical" because dutch players made it so, and the ref did show the red card after that ugly foul against C.Ronaldo, then he lost control of the game, giving Portugal 9 cards out of 10 committed fouls, that's an average saying that something's wrong with the ref, not the teams. Another obvious reason is the way ANY team plays when outnumbered, of course the defense gets more hard to keep the ball away from goal, but that's an unusual scenario since Portugal hasn't played with less that 11 players since 2002.

I mean, with a coach which is still the champion in tittle, with talented players which are champions, some best players, other best scorers in England, Spain, France, Portugal, do you really think the Portuguese team needs to get "physical" to win games ?

Some if not most of the english media really needs to get real and drop the lies. They want to make it look like the Portuguese team are a bunch of indisciplined players. Remember the last couple of games Portugal played England and WON, were we indisciplined ?

It amazes me that many top class players from all over the world want to play in the Premiership. If you look at all the teams that have played in the competition so far many are playing for top Premeirship sides. Many of our home grown players English, Scots, Irish and Welsh players also share the same field. I wonder what would happen if we fielded a British Team. I know it will never happen, but you don't have to go too far back to see Top British Clubs winning major tornaments in Europe without the assistance of non British born players....Wonder what would happen if we had a GB Lions side for football

I have a few comments on the upcoming game:
1. Both England and Portugal are world class teams and either side could win on any given day. England have played horribly so far and are lucky like so many other sides to have made it this far, however, you cannot turn your back on them for a minute for they may turn it on at any time. Portugal has great flair and skill, but really, they should have lost Figo at least one game for that school yard head butt against Holland. They are a weakened team, and I look forward to seeing how they react to this adversity.
2. I really don鈥檛 understand Scotland鈥檚 random, incoherent blogs against England. Quite frankly, like so many people have said before, we will welcome your comments regarding the world cup, as soon as you qualify for it!
3. Granted, England鈥檚 team is overrated by the English media, but there is no way that you can consider England a second tier team (especially under Italy!). They may not be the best team in the world cup鈥�. But they have the potential to do great things.
4. To Jorge: There are 2 players that play for top clubs outside England: Beckham (Real Madrid) and Hargreaves (Bayern Munich). The reason they all play in the Premiership is simple. If you want to play at the top level鈥� you have to play in the Premiership. You can rant and rave about Barcelona, but pound for pound, the Premiership has the best players and the most money to attract them.
5. Final Point: If you are going to blog on the 主播大秀 you might want to ask a friend who speaks English to help you (Micaela) even though I鈥檓 sure you convinced you will 鈥渨in鈥� England with the superior campaign of the Portuguese language.
I know that it must seem that I am pulling for England but I鈥檓 really neutral. Good luck to both teams. Let鈥檚 hope to have a clean game this time.

The last time i liked a game played by england is when they faced argentina in 1998 world cup group stages . That was probably the last time england ever tried to win game by scoring more goals. They have good players who can go forward score goals but haven't seen anything like that recently. In euro 2004 they were lucky that rooney was there to score goals, with him left their goal scoring oppurtunity. I didn't see much of that in this world cup, if you look at the goals in this world cup two came from free kicks and two came from long range shots this actally tells me that they are not moving forward in a planned manner. the good thing about their performances until now they can not get any worst.

The last time i liked a game played by england is when they faced argentina in 1998 world cup group stages . That was probably the last time england ever tried to win game by scoring more goals. They have good players who can go forward score goals but haven't seen anything like that recently. In euro 2004 they were lucky that rooney was there to score goals, with him left their goal scoring oppurtunity. I didn't see much of that in this world cup, if you look at the goals in this world cup two came from free kicks and two came from long range shots this actally tells me that they are not moving forward in a planned manner. the good thing about their performances until now is they can not get any worst.

Religion does have a lot to do with Scolari achievements.

I'm not saying that it has something supernatural to it (i'm not religious) but it does provide great mental strenght and confidence if one truly believes "things will work out well, and if they dont it's not that important". In Scolari's case, that confidence is contagious to other players, specialy portuguese players who are catholic (99%).

If you look at some top Brazilian players, like Kaka, L煤cio, Z茅 Roberto, Mineiro and Gilberto, they are "atletas de Cristo", wich means Christ Athletes. Kaka guives 10% of his salary to his church.
I'm not saying this makes a team, a player or a coach, any better than another. Scolari still lost against Otto Rehhagel 2 times with a far superior team!

I think Scolari would not succeed in coaching England because of the hudge cultural diferences.

Cheers and may the blessed team win ;)

The mighty England lions, muahahahahah!

So confident, so talented, they almost threw a party over the fact that Deco and Costinha are out, were hoping with all their stengths that Ronaldo was not fit in time and tried to get Figo to get a late red card and not play on Sat against England.

Yeah, very brave the whole lot of you. You know what I smell England? I smell FEAR! And you know what else? In spite of how we played against Angola, or whether Deco was there or not, we still won!

But the most important point here is, as some people have pointed out, our mind-set has changed since the last game. Here's a word of warning for you, you mighty leonine warriors:

WE'RE ON FIRE RIGHT NOW AND BURNING WITH ANGER AND VERY MUCH SET ON WINNING THE GAME!

And I doubt very much England will beat us. Not right now. Not the way we're feeling at the moment. We'll beat England if we have to kill each player one by one. Metaphorically speaking of course.

So beware us, oh Anglo-Saxon descendents, you of the country with the idiotic and pathetic press!

And check-up on your Portuguese history. And then you might realize that a number of nations including England have tried to conquer Portugal in the past and throughout the whole of our 900 year history and they constantly failed miserably.

We haven't warded off everybody until now to lose on Saturday to our old enemies and most recently, world war allies.

It's not going to happen. We'll beat England even if we lose the world cup and even if it's the last good thing we do....

Good luck and peace on Earth!

The mighty England lions, muahahahahah!

So confident, so talented, they almost threw a party over the fact that Deco and Costinha are out, were hoping with all their stengths that Ronaldo was not fit in time and tried to get Figo to get a late red card and not play on Sat against England.

Yeah, very brave the whole lot of you. You know what I smell England? I smell FEAR! And you know what else? In spite of how we played against Angola, or whether Deco was there or not, we still won!

But the most important point here is, as some people have pointed out, our mind-set has changed since the last game. Here's a word of warning for you, you mighty leonine warriors:

WE'RE ON FIRE RIGHT NOW AND BURNING WITH ANGER AND VERY MUCH SET ON WINNING THE GAME!

And I doubt very much England will beat us. Not right now. Not the way we're feeling at the moment. We'll beat England if we have to kill each player one by one. Metaphorically speaking of course.

So beware us, oh Anglo-Saxon descendents, you of the country with the idiotic and pathetic press!

And check-up on your Portuguese history. And then you might realize that a number of nations including England have tried to conquer Portugal in the past and throughout the whole of our 900 year history and they constantly failed miserably.

We haven't warded off everybody until now to lose on Saturday to our old enemies and most recently, world war allies.

It's not going to happen. We'll beat England even if we lose the world cup and even if it's the last good thing we do....

Good luck and peace on Earth!

I think it's gonna be like going back 1966 when England won the WC
Only this time it's gonna be for Portugal,trust me.
I just hope the reffere won't get involved and become one of the players.
It's gonna a Final in the Q-final.

A quick response to Patricia I'm well aware who Mary was... I'm just not overly hung up on her. Despite her important role, she was still a mortal woman and she is still dead. Just because she was Jesus mum doesn't give her any special powers beyond the grave. She played a part -an important one in Christ's story... but she was just a vessel, a faithful servant and is not worthy of any form of worship.

In that sense she is very much like the team that loses the next match... having a role to play in the eventual champion's success but no more than that.

Sorry about the non-related comment, but I have to answer Nick Payne: I don't know if you're religious or not (I'm not), but of course your religious heritage is Protestant. You probably know that for Catholics Mary is very important and not a mere mortal. Therefore, for Scolari and 99% of the Portuguese population, Our Lady of Caravaggio or of Fatima is as important as Christ! And did you notice where the Portuguese team are staying? Marienfeld. That's what I meant in my previous post. Just because you think Mary was just a vessel doesn't mean she was just that or that other think the same ;)
Anyway...
Good luck for both teams tomorrow, may the best one win (regardless religion or luck) and that all the supporters behave accordingly. But of course I'm "praying" to "whoever" that Portugal wins ;)

Take care!

To SR

Today is 'The Day' as we say in dear old blighty. 22 players equal at the start of the challenge. All there because they are good enough to play for their respective countries. At the end of the 90 minutes I hope that there will be a winner irrespective of who that is. Like many countries who have something to say about England they revert to history to help them to bolster up their rhetoric

William Shakespeare wrote this though it might not have been said at the Battle of Agincourt

This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Beckham, Lampard and Gerrad,
Rooney and Cole, Terry and Neville,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

So you see the English do have pride. And today in a stadium in Germany 22 of my fellow countrymen will stand together and face what is thrown at them and defend and attack as they have been trained to do. My only pain is that I cannot stand along side them

Oh look. England lost again. Well, I guess that "that one big performance on the horizon" was simply a mirage once again. They played rubbish throughout the whole tournament.

To "The Equalizer":

Yeah, sure hon, except that England have been playing crap and played crap again against Portugal.

Ooooh, never mind history of course but, hey look!, isn't that Portugal winning???

As for Shakespeare, he was a sub-standard writer who gets far more attention than he deserves and used to write for circuses audiences who couldn't distinguish quality or the lack of it if they both materialized in human form and slapped them on the face.

For the record, you abysmal idiot, I was not reverting to my country's history to bolster its rhetoric, I was doing it to defend it from the arrogant English attacks its been the victim of for some time now, you presumptous jackass!

I guess what you're trying to say is that England is far to great to revert to history to bolster its rethoric.

Also, I could say quite something about what your grand English players "have been trained to do" but seeing as it would have nothing to do with football, I shall leave it out of this message.

Go WAGS!!!!! They were certainly more entertaining than the football players they are sexually linked with and certainly showed more expertise at their CAREER of choice than them. They were, without a shadow of doubt, pros at both shopping and getting drunk. The English ought to be proud!

So next time remember this: if you ever feel the need to revert to something to bolster England's rhetoric, forget history... concentrate on those talented wags instead!

Would like to add just this before I am classified as a hater of all things English, seeing as I have probably just insulted all of those who reckon Shakespeare is England's literary genious:

I absolutely admire English literature, history and technical achievements throughout the ages and have great respect for most English citizens, which is to say, those who do not attempt to humiliate my country.

However, nobody can convince me that the overrated Shakespeare was talented.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, on the other hand, happens to be someone who I deem worthy of respect and whose literary skills I adore.

Hopefully, one day, certain English hooligans will show the same respect for Portuguese achievements as most Portuguese people show the English ones.