Portuguese storm into quarters

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-13  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

PORTUGAL has earned the luxury of more than a week's preparation for its Euro 2008 quarterfinal on June 19 after two impressive victories in Group A.

The Portuguese, whose match against eliminated co-hosts Switzerland in Basel on Sunday is a formality, face the runner-up of Group B which was led by Germany before its match against Croatia late yesterday.

"I'm very satisfied with the victory and Portugal going through after two matches, it's an historical achievement," coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said after Wednesday's 3-1 win over Czech Republic.

Portugal displayed its free-flowing style for the second straight time, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a goal and helping set up two others.

Ronaldo's 63rd-minute goal, his first in four matches, put his team 2-1 up before substitute Ricardo Quaresma rounded off the scoring in injury time.

Deco had opened the scoring for Portugal in the eighth, finding the net from close range after an attempted clearance by goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Czech's Libor Sionko equalized in the 17th before Ronaldo hit a first-time shot from the edge of the area and Quaresma tapped in from close range.

Portugal has not dominated a European Championship group in the same way before although it won all three first round matches at Euro 2000 and reached the semifinals.

When Portugal hosted Euro 2004 it had to recover from an opening match defeat before progressing to the final.

"To see the team play as they did today is good because it shows quality for the future," Scolari said.

He said Portugal only needed to adjust "some minimal technical deficiencies", with a week to iron them out at its Neuchatel base.

"We were badly positioned for the (Czech) goal. (Armando) Petit can't mark a player much taller than him. We must resolve such things," Scolari said of Sionko's headed equalizer from a corner.

"We accelerated (play) too much in the first half," he added.

Scolari had special praise for Petit's midfield labors.

"Petit distributes play very well, he provides the conditions for Deco and Joao Moutinho to have room to create," said Scolari.

"He's tactically perfect and always well positioned to defend."

Scolari looked forward to pitting his wits against the Germans, whom he regarded as the best tactical team he had seen so far.

Portugal could meet Germany in the last eight in Basel but it is more likely to be in the semifinal at the same venue on June 25.

The Czechs, which reached the 2004 semifinals but also lost to Greece, were hoping for a repeat of Euro 96 when they eliminated Portugal 1-0 in the quarterfinals.

"In the end, we tried too hard to score," Czech coach Karel Bruckner said. "(Portugal) were able to make perfect transition from defense into offense."