"It was amazing to feel the support that all the Portuguese people gave us inside and outside the stadium. I will never forget it. Thank you so much! We will come back stronger." These words from Danilo sum up the sentiment of the Portuguese people.
We left the 'Euro' with our heads held high.
Pepe and Diogo Costa deserve a special mention. Pepe was the most applauded and cherished. He was the oldest player to ever participate in a European Championship (41). Diogo Costa's three penalties saved secured their place in the next round. Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't lucky, but he still helped the results, as his presence 'drained' much of the opponent's attention.
We went to read what the European press said.
In Spain, the Mark He begins by highlighting a Portuguese team that showed more and had more opportunities. He says Portugal offered more, had better options, and "played 120 balanced minutes, with Portugal deserving of qualification."
The British of The Guardian pointed out that France passed after a “tense battle”.
In Italy, the Gazzetta dello Sport talks about the “waste” of the Portuguese team.
The French press admitted to the unsuspecting L'Equipe, that it was yet another game in which France was “poor in offensive efficiency”.
The Portuguese national team's manager, Spain's Martinez, said that "we landed on our feet." Of course, the expectation was to reach at least the semifinals. But, It would be tragic if we had fallen into the previous phase. Thanks Diogo on an inspired day.
Knowing that there's widespread recognition that we deserved to go further makes us feel encouraged. We're a small country, but we're great in the achievements of some of us.
