We are now at the stage before every major football tournament where punters are looking for decent odds on who could be a surprise package. After reaching the semi-finals last time around in Germany 2006, the Portuguese have long odds of 28/1 and would naturally attract your eye. However there are very clear reasons why they aren’t contenders this summer.
With the charismatic Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari at their helm at the last three tournaments, the so called ‘golden generation’ took the world by storm. At Euro 2004 in their own back yard the Selecção das Quinas reached the final and lost to Greece in one of footballs biggest upsets. However after losing to Germany and finishing fourth in the World Cup, the last of a crop of superstars including Luis Figo and Pauleta withdrew themselves from the international scene. The players were clearly missed as they were knocked out in the first round of Euro 2008 by the Germans once more.
Ronaldo has attracted criticism from the Portuguese faithful
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