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Au revoir, Portugal Semifinal losers were a treat for fans at Euro 2000
Posted: Wednesday June 28, 2000 07:11 PM
So, it's allez "Les Bleus," and au revoir Portugal, after a semifinal that lived up to its billing.... but just barely. The 2-1 French victory in "golden goal" extra time that took France within one match of becoming the first reigning world-champion to win the European Championship brought a controversial end to the best story of the tournament. First things first, and from where I saw it, the penalty decision against Portugal's Abel Xavier, which gave Zinedine Zidane the chance to win it from the spot for France, was correct. Sylvain Wiltord's shot was definitely goal-bound, and while cruel luck for Portugal, in a way the penalty call only delayed the inevitable. So, congratulations to the French. They weren't entirely convincing on the night, but they battled enough to make me believe they are still the genuine article. Not noticeably worse than the team which won global success two years ago, whoever the French face in the Euro 2000 final on Sunday, the opponent will have to match them for skill and heart in order to get the desired result. That said however, let's take some time to offer some credit where it's due to the Portuguese, whose contribution to this championship has been massive. Arriving with a qualifying record that suggested they had the potential to make some waves, this relative football minnow rose to the challenge as befits a team nicknamed "the Brazil of Europe." The fact that they withstood the burden of expectation at all is a testament to their powers, both physical and mental, because, as we saw in the case of Spain for the second tournament in a row, it's a huge leap from being told you should do well and actually doing it.
The Portuguese, though, lived up to their pre-tournament press with quiet self-confidence and an expansive display of intricate football that was a terrific advertisement for the game. Boasting a midfield as dynamic as any at the tournament, they frequently left the opposition looking like they were wearing boots of lead. Luis Figo, of course, was devastating, rivaling the great Zinedine Zidane for his imagination and cutting edge. His influence was especially outstanding in the quarterfinal with Turkey, which to my mind he virtually won on his own. Portugal however, was by no means a one-man team. Figo's heroics were aided and abetted in midfield by, among others, the inspirational Rui Costa; Sergio Conceicao, who backed his creative flair with considerable firepower, hitting a hat trick against the hapless Germans; and by the lethal Nuno Gomes up front. Such was the stunning impact of Portugal's attack-minded players that their rock-solid defense was often forgotten. The Portuguese back line, led by Fernando Couto, gave up two goals before the semifinal. Both of those came in the opening 20-minutes of their first group game with England, after which Portugal woke up, realized the tournament had started, and scythed its way into the semifinals.
Ultimately, of course, the silverware will be going elsewhere, with one of the habitual contenders for the major honors now guaranteed to add to its trophy cabinet.
But for once I feel winning is not necessarily everything. In getting so far, and doing it in such a fashion, Portugal gave us things that, from a fan's point of view, are almost as valuable as victory. They gave us style; they gave us flair. They gave us the fairytale notion that a little team can end up on top. And above all else they gave us entertainment. And for all those things, they deserve our thanks. Terry Baddoo is co-host of World Sport, the international sports show that airs live on CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNN International. Baddoo is part of the World Sport crew that is in the Netherlands and Belgium covering Euro 2000.
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