NEUCHATEL (Switzerland): Chanting, taking pictures and doing the wave, several thousand fans packed La Maladiere Stadium on Tuesday for Portugal’s last training session open to the public before the European football Championship begins. Nearly 12,000 fans — most of them dressed in Portugal’s red,
green and yellow — took advantage of the last opportunity they had to get a glimpse of their idols before Portugal opens against Turkey on Saturday in Geneva.
Fans cheered loudly after the players and coaches entered the field and waved back at them.
“Most of us couldn’t get tickets for the Euro games. This is the only chance we get to see the players,” said 27-year-old Rita Martin, who lives in Neuchatel.
Several thousand Portuguese immigrants from around the region have been travelling to the lakeside city of about 40,000 people to try and get a look at the squad.
“We have to take this opportunity to give our support,” said 45-year-old Luis Conde, who lives in nearby Fribourg. “We can’t go to them too often, so we need to enjoy when they come to us.”
Practice game
Players warmed up in the centre of the field before participating in a full practice game, delighting the fans who cheered as if it was an official match and celebrated each goal loudly.
“It’s good to know we have their support, it motivates us,” defender Jose Bosingwa said. “We know they would like to see us more often.”
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari set up what is likely his starting line-up with goalkeeper Ricardo behind full-backs Paulo Ferreira and Bosingwa, who flanked centre-backs Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho.
Star appeal
The biggest cheers were heard every time Ronaldo touched the ball. And even when he didn’t have the ball, fans could be heard yelling his name from the stands.
Supporters even complained when Scolari disallowed a goal scored by the winger.
Portugal, which plays the Czech Republic on June 11 in Geneva and co-host Switzerland on June 15 in Basel, will be based in Neuchatel at least until the semifinals.
.<<back
