Portugal have rallied around captain Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of tonight’s Euro 2012 quarter-final against the Czech Republic.
It will be the third meeting between the two sides in the last five championships, with each side having won one apiece - the most important belonging to the Czechs in the 1996 quarter-finals on their way to losing to Germany in the final. Paulo Bento’s Portugal have got where they are thanks to their team ethic and after seeing Ronaldo finally click into gear in Sunday’s game against the hapless Dutch to score both goals in the 2-1 win.
They have been accused of creating a cult of personality around the 27-year-old captain but the team have circled the wagons in the face of what they see as unjustified criticism.
“Ronaldo is one of the most professional players I have ever come across,” said Raul Meireles. “He gives his all at every training session. He is our leader and there is no one who wants to win more than him. He scored twice in the last match; before he had drawn a blank but he had still helped us out in other ways.”
The Czech’s outstanding goalkeeper, Petr Cech, acknowledges the Portuguese are favourites for this match and says the team is made up of more than just Ronaldo.
“They are among the world’s top 10 teams,” he said. “It’s a team full of personalities and outstanding players. Against the Netherlands on Sunday, they were excellent up front. They also have enough experienced players. The team has matured and it’s really strong.”
Portugal received a boost in their preparations for this match as Real Madrid centre-back Pepe resumed training on Tuesday after sitting it out on Monday with sore ankles.
Captain Rosicky gives Czechs hope
Czech Republic captain Tomas Rosicky resumed training on Wednesday giving some cause for optimism that he will be able to start the quarter-final.
The 31-year-old playmaker - a member of the flair-filled Czech side that reached the Euro 2004 semi-finals - has been struggling with an inflamed Achilles tendon injury which kept him out of the final group match (a 1-0 win over Poland) and saw him return to Prague for treatment. However, the Arsenal star was able to do some light training yesterday.
“Rosicky returned to the team after two-days of treatment in Prague and underwent light training,” the association said. “It’s still true that we will decide whether he will play or not only before the game.”
Raul Meireles
“The important thing is that Ronaldo is one of the most professional players I have ever come across. He gives his all at every training session. He is our leader and, on the pitch, there is no one who wants to win more than him.”
Petr Cech
“They are among the world’s top 10 teams. It’s a team full of personalities and outstanding players and they play very well. They also have enough experienced players. The team has matured and it’s really strong.”
‘Ukraine were denied a goal’
Uefa’s chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina said that a Ukraine effort ruled out against England for not crossing the goal line should have been given.
“The ball crossed the line,” said Collina. “That was unfortunate. It would have been better not to have it.”
Collina blamed human error for the call but said two similar decisions in the 24 matches so far played in the tournament - in the Germany-Portugal and Italy-Croatia group matches - had been correct. The incident has reopened the debate about the introduction of goal-line technology after a series of high-profile cases where goals were either given or disallowed, including against England in the last World Cup two years ago.
Fifa boss Sepp Blatter wrote on Twitter, “After last night’s match, goal-line technology is no longer an alternative but a necessity.”
Published In The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2012.
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