Euro2004 support thread

[neonlyte]

I've just come back from wandering around Lisboa catching the atmosphere and looking at the fans ahead of tonights biggy.

I'll write up details for the Atmosphere thread, later. I'll put a link on this thread shortly with photo's of today in Lisboa.

Meanwhile, here's some facts about Portugal culled from an English paper:

Vasco da Gama, amongst others opened trade routes across the world's oceans.
Christopher Columbus was taught navigagtion at the school founded by Henry the Navigator.
Pedro Alvares Cabral was blown off course and discovered Brazil by accident.
Sting was inspired to music by Portuguese Fado.
Nadia, a transexual is a current resident in the Big Brother house.
Portugal supplies half the world's cork.
Catherine of Braganza introduced tea and marmalade as part of her wedding dowry to Charles II, the Portuguese also threw in Bombay and Tangiers.
In 1355 King Pedro had his mistress dug up so she could be present at his crowning.
Egas Moniz invented the Lobotomy for which he received the Nobel prize in 1949.
140 million world wide speak Portuguese, only 10 million live in Portugal.

Have a great evening all.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

I hear what you are saying, Crazy, but I am also aware of the history of these things, which says the team which looks best in the group stages rarely wins.

Yeah, take a look at England! They have been eliminated in the group stages 4 out of 6 times in previous editions and you Brits still think they're the shit.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Pedro Alvares Cabral was blown off course and discovered Brazil by accident.

That's the way the legend goes, but really...

In the Tordesillas Treaty that divided the world in two (half to Portugal and half to Spain), signed two years before the 'accidental' discovery of Brazil, Portugal pushed pretty hard to change the line a few hundred miles west, for no apparent reason. Coincidence?

 

[neonlyte]

That's the way the legend goes, but really...

In the Tordesillas Treaty that divided the world in two (half to Portugal and half to Spain), signed two years before the 'accidental' discovery of Brazil, Portugal pushed pretty hard to change the line a few hundred miles west, for no apparent reason. Coincidence?

I know, I wrote a piece about it lost some where in Lit. under another name, these quotes are just a UK paper being pissy.

I really rooting for Portugal tonight, even though I changed my team because I think the English will probably edge it, couldn't stand the thought of scoring points at their expense I hedged my bets and put Portugal to win in Predictor with the Joker.

Catch up with you later.

NL

 

[PaulUK]

Yeah, take a look at England! They have been eliminated in the group stages 4 out of 6 times in previous editions and you Brits still think they're the shit.

I dunno where you get this idea from... our crappy newspapers, probably. Real English fans know that England are never quite in the top echelon... though the gap this time round is not that great, so maybe we are more confident than usual.

And, please... like you guys aren't completely over-the-top about Portugal!!! LOL... Shall we account for all the achievements of the Golden Generation since they got past puberty?

Less than three hours...

 

[Guest]

Um, and where were Portugal in the World Cup, 2002?

At least we can say we went out to Brazil in the quarter finals. And to penalties, at that rolleyes: ). We almost had them.

Lou - loving this "friendly" rivalry.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

The only Golden Generation player in the starting lineup will be Figo. You'll have a whole new set of problems now, and their list of achievements in the last two years include a UEFA Cup and a Champions League.

 

[Guest]

(Lauren, if you mention that Brazil's manager in the World Cup 2002 is now Portugal's manager, I'll bite you. )

 

[Lauren Hynde]

 

[PaulUK]

Bite her anyway.

OK, Laur, so we're bringing club football into this now? Coz you know you lose the argument there (looks around for any Italians, though...).

 

[Guest]

I'll start with a nibble.

 

[PaulUK]

I knew I liked you.

2.5 hours...

 

[Black Tulip]

2 hours

and counting!!!!!

 

[neonlyte]

Here's a link to photographs in Lisboa today.

The little kiddies, aged 4/5, marched all the way into the centre, Rossio Square, chanting PORTUGAL, PORTGAL and singing the National Anthem.

The homage to the English man who died is touching, every country in Euro 2004 paid tribute, I saw Lisboetta's crying as they placed flowers at the spot.

The Giraffe is in the adjoining square to Rossio where the English had gathered watch a Portuguese drive for support - it was poorly attended by comparisum with Rossio.

Photos of Lisboa

PS. Weather News - Overcast, light wind, 25C and very humid.

 

[Guest]

I hour to go.

Thanks for those pics, Neon! Very cool.

Lou

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Excellent photos, Neon. Thanks.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

(Shouldn't you be at the Fan Park's 11th Stadium by now?)

 

[SnoopDog]

We almost had them.

Lou - loving this "friendly" rivalry.

So many jokes, so many sneers, and all those 'oh so nears' wear you down, through the years...

I'm really looking forward to the game in a couple of minutes time.
Since the weather is pretty bad (cold and raining) I'll make myself a nice hot chocolate and taste some of my mother's birthday cake that remained. Hmmmm.

Snoopy

 

[Guest]

I'm having a beer, or seven.

 

[Guest]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/26/26_8_15.gif

 

[Liar]

This'll be penalties for sure.

 

[Liar]

Oh well, let the madness begin. Where's my beer?

 

[neonlyte]

(Shouldn't you be at the Fan Park's 11th Stadium by now?)

At 2.00pm the queues at all three entrances measured in thousands, the queues were for people without tickets! No way was I going to stand around for 6 hours hoping I might see the game.

I came back home to watch it in comfort, nice grilled chorizo, Mafra bread and good Borba.

 

[Guest]

This'll be penalties for sure.

That's right, stick the curse on England.



Where did I put my beer?

(I'm shaking here! )

 

[Lauren Hynde]

nice grilled chorizo, Mafra bread

I hate you.