U21 National team

[ManuelD]

Thanks guys.

[Marcelo]

No Problem.

[Daniel24]

Im a little skeptical.I have been wondering the whole tournament.Why didnt Couceiro bring in Ronaldo or Quaresma?I mean if Portugal really wanted to win why not bring them in.I bet you have a good answer for this Frank.

[Daniel24]

Nijmegen to stage Olympic play-off
Sunday 17 June 2007

The Goffert Stadion in Nijmegen will stage the play-off.

A play-off will be needed on Thursday to decide Europe's fourth challenger for the 2008 Olympic Games after England – who are not entitled to take a team to Beijing – won a place in the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Nijmegen match
While the other three teams in the last four – hosts the Netherlands, Belgium and Serbia – will all travel to the Far East, England’s progress means a play-off is needed between the two teams who finished third in their groups, Portugal in Group A and Italy in Group B, to decide the final qualifier. The match will be played in Nijmegen on Thursday, 24 hours after the semi-finals see the Netherlands tackle England and Serbia entertain Belgium.

UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Remaining fixtures
Wed 20 June 18.15 SF 1 Netherlands v England Abe Lenstra Heerenveen
Wed 20 June 20.45 SF 2 Serbia v Belgium Gelredome Arnhem
Thu 21 June 20.45 Play-off Portugal v Italy Goffert Nijmegen
Sat 23 June 20.45 Final Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 Euroborg Groningen

uefa.com*-*UEFA European U-21 C'ship*-*News & Features*-*News specific

[Daniel24]

Veloso happy to silence doubters
Miguel Veloso said Portugal had finally silenced their critics after a commanding 4-0 victory against Israel at the Euroborg on Saturday night.

Olympic goal
Manuel Fernandes, Ricardo Vaz Té, Miguel Veloso and Nani all scored but Portugal's first victory in the tournament came too late to earn a semi-final place. By finishing third in Group A, though, Portugal did give themselves the chance of claiming a place at next summer's Olympic Games. It also restored some pride after José Couceiro's side had failed to hit top gear against both Belgium and the Netherlands.

Man of the match
"We have answered all those who criticised us," said Miguel Veloso, who scored his second goal of the competition with another curling long-range free-kick. The Sporting Clube de Portugal midfielder has been perhaps the most consistent performer in Couceiro's side, but he was taking little pleasure in his personal achievements as he collected the Carlsberg Man of the Match award.

Improvement
"I would have preferred to go to the semi-finals," he told uefa.com. "I am honored to win this trophy and I would also like to thank my team-mates. We all did a great job tonight. We hadn't played much together recently and needed some time. We have been getting better and better and if we continue, we will improve even more."

'Disappointed'
That, though, will depend on England. Should Stuart Pearce's side defeat Serbia tonight to qualify for the last four, Portugal will play-off next Thursday in Nijmegen against either Italy or the Czech Republic for a place at the 2008 Olympics. "We will be watching the game and hoping England win," the 21-year-old said. "We are disappointed, but if there is a play-off we will regroup for that target - it is a big one."

'Good tournament'
Either way, Miguel Veloso can look back on this season with pride. He has become a regular for Sporting and forced himself into national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's plans for the senior international team. His performances here have merely added to a burgeoning reputation. "Yes, it's been a good tournament for me," he said - something he hopes to confirm next Thursday if England give him the chance.

For a video of Veloso talking click there.uefa.com*-*UEFA European U-21 C'ship*-*News & Features*-*News specific

[Marcelo]

Does a team even play at the pitch of Nijmegen?

[simao20]

Originally Posted by DJ2492

Im a little skeptical.I have been wondering the whole tournament.Why didnt Couceiro bring in Ronaldo or Quaresma?I mean if Portugal really wanted to win why not bring them in.I bet you have a good answer for this Frank.

Need to give Ronaldo some rest. He has been playing non-stop since last summer. Besides he is our most important player for the AA no need for him to prove himself in the U21 stage and risk injury. (same situation with Rooney and England)

Besides, the last time Ronaldo and Q played for the U21 we got spanked by Iraq in athens

It's good that we are giving young guys a chance.

[simao20]

Originally Posted by DJ2492

The Portuguese National Anthem wasnt sang?

They played some other anthem first..then they realised they fvcked up and eventually played our anthem.

[Daniel24]

Wtf.Thats not right.The Holland Organization needs to get their head out of their asses.

[Daniel24]

Yeah the young guys are getting their chances but if we really wanted to win it all and go the olympics then they should have been there.Yeah I agree they could get hurt but what are the odds of that.

[simao20]

Did you guys catch the 2nd England Goal where the English player decided to keep playing and scored when a Serb player was down (who kept the English player onside) near the box for more than 30 secs. Then he taunts the Serbs with his unsportsmanship goal celebration. It amazes me that the brits aplauded the goal.

The first thing I could think of after that incident is what if C. Ronaldo did that to the English. All hell would break loose and we would never hear the end of it from them.


Other than that..A big thanks england that was the first and last time I will cheer for you

And this Racism crap really needs to get taken care of.

[Daniel24]

I didnt see the game.Im sure later I will see the highlights.Its hella late right now and I have no idea why I am still on.

[simao20]

uefa.com*-*UEFA European U-21 C'ship*-*Fixtures & Results*-*Match Specific

highlights

[Daniel24]

Damn at 1:18 the goalie looks like he was going to kill somebody.Cant believe the refs didnt stop the time.

[Frank Cunha]

Originally Posted by simao20

Need to give Ronaldo some rest. He has been playing non-stop since last summer. Besides he is our most important player for the AA no need for him to prove himself in the U21 stage and risk injury. (same situation with Rooney and England)

Besides, the last time Ronaldo and Q played for the U21 we got spanked by Iraq in athens

It's good that we are giving young guys a chance.

I totally agree

how can I forget