Paulo Bento's side are the nominal away team for their quarter-final with the Czech Republic but with thousands of Portuguese expected to be in Warsaw it may not feel like that.
When Cristiano Ronaldo hit his stylish second-half winner at the Metalist Stadium on Sunday, the estimated 5,000 Portugal fans rejoiced. Millions more did likewise watching on television back home; and so did a few hundred crowded around screens in bars in small towns in western Poland.
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As Paulo Bento's side dazzled some 1,800km to the east of their UEFA EURO 2012 base in Opalenica, some of the journalists left behind there and in the neighbouring town of Grodzisk Wielkopolski cheered on their team from afar. It was a similar routine for them throughout Group B.
Now, as Portugal build up momentum ahead of Thursday's quarter-final against the Czech Republic, they can ponder the possibility of an even greater groundswell of support behind them. The Portuguese media – even if they will be a little less partisan in a stadium press box than they are in the bars and restaurants of rural Poland – will be out in force for the match in Warsaw, and there will surely be more fans on the move towards the Polish capital too.
An estimated 50,000 Portuguese expatriates are resident in Germany, and a fair few are expected to make the trip. The buzz was already apparent around the team hotel this morning, as people made their travel plans, with the squad itself leaving for Warsaw at lunchtime tomorrow.
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Portugal and many of their followers are already familiar with the city after Bento's team visited for a friendly in late February to mark the official opening of the National Stadium. One Portuguese journalist described the 56,000-seat arena to me as "absolutely incredible" last week, and there is considerable excitement about returning.
There is also a fair bit of enthusiasm for the prospect of a third UEFA European Championship semi-final in four attempts if it goes to plan. Portugal will not want for support.
As the rain lashed down on the Portugal squad in Opalenica this morning, it failed to dampen spirits. While their team-mates went through a light session, Ricardo Quaresma and Nélson Oliveira broke away to try shooting at goal from the halfway line. The former found the net and the latter narrowly missed, prompting much laughter and jostling from Quaresma for the young SL Benfica forward.
Neither player is likely to start tomorrow's Warsaw quarter-final against the Czech Republic, but two things were evident from this short passage of frivolity. Firstly, Portugal are enjoying themselves at UEFA EURO 2012. Secondly, there is a permanent dedication to an attacking approach throughout the squad.
Many presumed this wasn't the case after the opening match with Germany, as Portugal were judged on a cautious mindset, allied to a dry spell in front of goal in pre-tournament friendlies. This ignored the fact that, until this mini-run of profligacy in 2012, the Selecção das Quinas had been on a rampage under Paulo Bento, finding the net 37 times in his first 13 matches in charge.
As the world at large focused on Cristiano Ronaldo's personal struggles in front of goal after the win over Denmark, that Portugal had scored three times and created a host more chances was reduced almost to a footnote. The captain hit all the right notes against the Netherlands in spectacular fashion, yet the team's intent in Kharkiv was just the same as it had been in the previous game in Lviv.
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Cristiano Ronaldo keeps a close eye on Bruno Alves in training
It is unlikely that there will be any let-up against Michal Bílek’s Czech side. His right-back, Theodor Gebre Selassie, has been one of the stars of the tournament, getting forward with gusto throughout. However, just as the Netherlands' offensive approach left room for Ronaldo to attack, the space behind Gebre Selassie seems sure to invite a reprise from both the captain and Fábio Coentrão. Fireworks lie ahead in Warsaw.
Neither player is likely to start tomorrow's Warsaw quarter-final against the Czech Republic, but two things were evident from this short passage of frivolity. Firstly, Portugal are enjoying themselves at UEFA EURO 2012. Secondly, there is a permanent dedication to an attacking approach throughout the squad.
Many presumed this wasn't the case after the opening match with Germany, as Portugal were judged on a cautious mindset, allied to a dry spell in front of goal in pre-tournament friendlies. This ignored the fact that, until this mini-run of profligacy in 2012, the Selecção das Quinas had been on a rampage under Paulo Bento, finding the net 37 times in his first 13 matches in charge.
As the world at large focused on Cristiano Ronaldo's personal struggles in front of goal after the win over Denmark, that Portugal had scored three times and created a host more chances was reduced almost to a footnote. The captain hit all the right notes against the Netherlands in spectacular fashion, yet the team's intent in Kharkiv was just the same as it had been in the previous game in Lviv.
©SportsfileIt is unlikely that there will be any let-up against Michal Bílek’s Czech side. His right-back, Theodor Gebre Selassie, has been one of the stars of the tournament, getting forward with gusto throughout. However, just as the Netherlands' offensive approach left room for Ronaldo to attack, the space behind Gebre Selassie seems sure to invite a reprise from both the captain and Fábio Coentrão. Fireworks lie ahead in Warsaw.
CZECH REPUBLIC WON'T REPEAT MISTAKES OF OPENING GAME VERSUS RUSSIA
Referee for the first quarterfinal on Thursday
PORTUGAL VS CZECH REPUBLIC, 2:00 p.m. ET, TSN in Canada, ESPN in United States
Michal Bílek is determined the Czech Republic will not repeat the mistakes of their opening game of UEFA EURO 2012 when they face the formidable attacking potential of Portugal in Thursday's Warsaw quarter-final.
Bílek's debut in the dugout at a major finals ended with a 4-1 defeat by Russia, the Czech Republic's worst ever start at this level. Bílek readjusted, and was rewarded with enhanced solidity and, more significantly, back-to-back wins. With Portugal boasting a blinding array of talent going forward, the Czech coach now plans to batten down the hatches still tighter.
"We know Portugal have dangerous players in midfield and up front, such as Nani, Hélder Postiga and [Cristiano] Ronaldo. We have that in mind, and we'll adjust our tactics to be more defensive," said Bílek. "We can't play like we did against Russia. We gave them space and they punished us. Nani and Ronaldo will punish us if we do the same thing again, and we don't want to repeat the first match."
While Bílek will retain the back four that provided the platform for the 2-1 success against Greece and decisive 1-0 victory over co-hosts Poland, he is hoping Tomáš Rosický's Achilles tendon problem will have healed sufficiently to allow the creative midfielder to return. However, having secured their place in the last eight without the Arsenal FC man, Bílek has faith his squad can compensate once again.
"During qualifying we put together a team. We don't have any great stars, except for Tomáš Rosický and Petr Čech. The team spirit is excellent, and if we defeat Portugal it will be thanks to this team."
The former international midfielder also drew parallels with EURO '96, when a largely unknown Czech side beat a star-studded Portuguese lineup at the same stage of the competition. "The situation is similar. They are favourites. They have strong individuals and a strong team, but if we repeat our performances in the previous two games, we have a chance of going through."
Portugal will no doubt read more into their 3-1 win against the Czech Republic in the group stage at UEFA EURO 2008. Like their opponents, Paulo Bento's men lost their opening group match before registering back-to-back victories, and the coach wants his charges to continue in the same vein come what may.
"In adverse moments, we have to try to stay faithful to our playing style. We have to keep a cool head, stay focused and we'll see what our opponents present us with on the pitch," said Bento, who is likely to deploy the same XI he has selected for his last five competitive fixtures, despite the Czechs having enjoyed 24 hours' more rest. "I think a team that played against Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands like we did will not have any problems with their mental recovery. The physical recovery has been good too."
The squad's mood will have been further lifted by Bento, who smiled when he was serenaded by journalists on his 43rd birthday. "I will try to transform this individual happiness into a collective happiness," he said. "But my greatest wish is that this happiness will be for all the Portuguese people after the game tomorrow."
Bílek's debut in the dugout at a major finals ended with a 4-1 defeat by Russia, the Czech Republic's worst ever start at this level. Bílek readjusted, and was rewarded with enhanced solidity and, more significantly, back-to-back wins. With Portugal boasting a blinding array of talent going forward, the Czech coach now plans to batten down the hatches still tighter.
"We know Portugal have dangerous players in midfield and up front, such as Nani, Hélder Postiga and [Cristiano] Ronaldo. We have that in mind, and we'll adjust our tactics to be more defensive," said Bílek. "We can't play like we did against Russia. We gave them space and they punished us. Nani and Ronaldo will punish us if we do the same thing again, and we don't want to repeat the first match."
While Bílek will retain the back four that provided the platform for the 2-1 success against Greece and decisive 1-0 victory over co-hosts Poland, he is hoping Tomáš Rosický's Achilles tendon problem will have healed sufficiently to allow the creative midfielder to return. However, having secured their place in the last eight without the Arsenal FC man, Bílek has faith his squad can compensate once again.
"During qualifying we put together a team. We don't have any great stars, except for Tomáš Rosický and Petr Čech. The team spirit is excellent, and if we defeat Portugal it will be thanks to this team."
The former international midfielder also drew parallels with EURO '96, when a largely unknown Czech side beat a star-studded Portuguese lineup at the same stage of the competition. "The situation is similar. They are favourites. They have strong individuals and a strong team, but if we repeat our performances in the previous two games, we have a chance of going through."
Portugal will no doubt read more into their 3-1 win against the Czech Republic in the group stage at UEFA EURO 2008. Like their opponents, Paulo Bento's men lost their opening group match before registering back-to-back victories, and the coach wants his charges to continue in the same vein come what may.
"In adverse moments, we have to try to stay faithful to our playing style. We have to keep a cool head, stay focused and we'll see what our opponents present us with on the pitch," said Bento, who is likely to deploy the same XI he has selected for his last five competitive fixtures, despite the Czechs having enjoyed 24 hours' more rest. "I think a team that played against Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands like we did will not have any problems with their mental recovery. The physical recovery has been good too."
The squad's mood will have been further lifted by Bento, who smiled when he was serenaded by journalists on his 43rd birthday. "I will try to transform this individual happiness into a collective happiness," he said. "But my greatest wish is that this happiness will be for all the Portuguese people after the game tomorrow."
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