Preview: France vs. Portugal
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France vs. Portugal, Munich, 21:00 CET
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THE BIG PICTURE
There weren’t too many people before the World Cup started that would have predicted these two teams would be meeting for the right to play in the final, but both Portugal and France have clawed their way through the tournament and are just two victories away from lifting the trophy. Portugal has won all five of its matches, surviving a dramatic penalty shoot out against England in the quarterfinals. They will see the return of midfielders Deco and Costinha, who both sat out that game with card suspensions. France has gained momentum as the tournament has progressed. They put on an impressive display in the quarterfinals against Brazil with the old guard looking like they did in their prime.
Portugal last met France in a friendly in 2001 when the French ran out 4-0 winners. The two sides have not met in a World Cup finals. France have beaten Portugal in their last seven meetings. Portugal’s last victory over France came in 1975. It might not be the match you expected but it should be a great one.
Teams: Likely formation; shirt numbers, name, caps, goals, coach:
Portugal (4-5-1):1-Ricardo (54-0); 13-Miguel (33-1), 16-Ricardo Carvalho (29-1), 5-Fernando Meira (35-2), 14-Nuno Valente (27-1); 6-Costinha (47-2), 18-Maniche (36-6), 20-Deco (37-3), 7-Luis Figo (124-32), 17-Cristiano Ronaldo (36-12); 9-Pauleta (86-47) Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari
France (4-2-3-1): 16-Fabien Barthez (85-0); 19-Willy Sagnol (43-0), 15-Lilian Thuram (119-2), 5-William Gallas (45-1), 3-Eric Abidal (12-0); 4-Patrick Vieira (92-6), 6-Claude Makelele (48-0); 22-Franck Ribery (8-1), 10-Zinedine Zidane (106-29), 7-Florent Malouda (17-2); 12-Thierry Henry (83-36) Coach: Raymond Domenech
LIVEBLOG
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IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS
Billiards evolved from a lawn game similar to croquet played sometime during the 15th century in Northern Europe (probably in France).
The fastest train in the world is the TGV in France, which can travel at speeds up to 515 kilometres (322 miles) per hour.
In the middle Ages, the highest court in France ordered the execution of a cow for injuring a human.
France Team Blog
Team Roster
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People in Portugal consume more fish per capita than any other country in Europe.
In Portugal the @ symbol is called arroba, a unit of weight.
Eusebio played for three different teams in the North American Soccer League (NASL): Boston Minutemen (1975), Toronto Metros-Croatia (1976) and Las Vegas Quicksilver (1977).
Portugal Team Blog
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Buy a Portugal jersey to support the team
TEAM BLOGS & DISCUSSIONS
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Portugal Team Blog
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Comments
Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 47 comments.
Read the rest of the comments
By John | July 5th, 2006 at 5:08 am 
Lisboa,
Here are a couple of examples to help you on your educational journey. Knowledge is a good thing! Embrace it.
France Bans Muslim Head Scarves: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/02/02/world/main597565.shtml
November 2005 Riots by Poor Muslim and African French Immigrants: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4413964.stm
By deva | July 5th, 2006 at 5:24 am the best team will win. but i prefer PORTUGAL. he deserve to win
Posted from 
Indonesia
By Amarjeet singh sabarwal | July 5th, 2006 at 6:51 am well porugal has done a lot good to itself by getting so far….but me being a true fan of the netherlands would want to see portugal get the bitter taste….i hope they beat france tonight and then go ahead only to loose to italy!portugal will loose the finals(if it gets there)…….cheers!
Posted from 
India
By MingoCR | July 5th, 2006 at 8:12 am it’s really a big question on who’s gonna won.
i’m not a fan for either team, but Germany. but since the games yesterday was such a tear… i think that i just have to pray for a third place…
but anyways, i’ll have to need more information on the teams to decide on a team that has a better chance of winning.
seriously… i really don’t know anything about the two teams.
but who ever is the winning team, i believe is gonna beat Italy… cz i really don’t like Italy. (u know Y)
so… what r the history of France and Protugal, and which team do u like…?
Posted from 
China
By redheart | July 5th, 2006 at 9:58 am I will never call you ignorant ’cause you was born in US or elsewhere, was not me. I just said that north Africa is not Middle East and even culturally those parts of the world are different and miscellaneous.I said that culturally the immigrants’ children feel more french than north africans even being muslims. And as i said what happened in France last year is more a economic problem than just religious,the same thing happens in US with mexican immigrants and they don´t do it because of religion.But you’re right when you say there is racism in France, unfortunally it there is everywhere.
Posted from 
Portugal
By redheart | July 5th, 2006 at 10:07 am By the way, i know you know that wasn’t me that call you that.
Posted from Portugal
By Mikiyas Tadesse | July 5th, 2006 at 10:31 am There is no doubt that France is gonna win the trophy. The incredible team formation, the wise leadership of Mr. Raymond Domenech and the superb performance of Thiery Henry is going to blast the Portugals.
By Mikiyas Tadesse | July 5th, 2006 at 10:35 am posted from Ethiopia
By mignoff | July 5th, 2006 at 2:06 pm french consider they r mignon and all others are rude and cruel. Let’s see how mignons they are !
By dave | July 5th, 2006 at 5:31 pm I think most people want to see a France v Italy final, a repeat of an excellent 2000 european cup final. France played to their full potential against brazil and portugal look toothless. But that excellent French midfield are ageing and have played only a few days ago. Portugal will be tough and keep the game very tight. I can see portugal take it to extra time at least.
Posted from 
United States
By John | July 5th, 2006 at 5:35 pm redheart,
Fair enough, and I appreciate you being cordial in our debate. 
Getting back to the football, I’m jazzed about this game! I am pulling for France, who won me over when they beat Brazil and showed such determination. How can you not be a fan of Zizou???
Allez Les Bleus!
By Deviilz. | July 5th, 2006 at 5:56 pm New odds obtained:
France to win by a goal or more margin within the 90mins..,
Are they the favourites..?
Posted from 
Malaysia
By urace | July 5th, 2006 at 6:10 pm ok u folks, 2nite is a draw match. france will win on 2 pk shots.
Posted from 
Singapore
By Bobbio | July 5th, 2006 at 6:23 pm All right! Game starts in less than three hours… Christiano Ronaldo Fan Club Roll Call!
Posted from 
Netherlands
By Pedro P | July 5th, 2006 at 6:52 pm PORTUGAL,
one single voice
one single shout!
VICTORY!!!
FORCA PORTUGAL!!! A CAMINHO DA FINAL!!!
Posted from Netherlands
By pawan | July 5th, 2006 at 6:54 pm france 2:0 portugal
Posted from 
Nepal
By jeje | July 5th, 2006 at 7:02 pm I think France deserves to win because the beat Brazil! I really do prefer the portuguesse but France deserves to win not only against portugal but hopefully against Italy as well.
Posted from United States
By Dave Hamilton | July 5th, 2006 at 7:05 pm The stage is nearly set for a World Cup final that I believe will bring the two best coaches on the national side stage together this Sunday, Lippi and Scolari. It is no accident that these two will probably meet, although the Italians clearly had some help from the ref against Australia (but may have won anyway).
Lippi is going with essentially the same kind of set he did when he was Juve’s boss in the 90s, placing Totti behind his strike force for service (something Ericsson could have learned when he isolated poor Rooney up front the other day) as well as a green light to penetrate and shoot anytime he likes. I expect Lippi will stay with that 4-4-1-1 in the final and Camoranesi will remain very active on the wings, aided by Pirlo coming forward as needed (not something Trappy would have been familiar with in 2002); Gattuso won’t come forward, as he is a defending midfielder exclusively. Gilardino and Del Piero will again probably be wisely held in reserve for late-strike energy and a shootout (if necessary) while the point man for much of the contest will be hard-working Toni, who can present a lot of problems even to a defense as staunch as Portugal’s. Cannavaro is the defender of the Cup so far, and Zambrotta, Zaccardo and if available, Nesta, along with Buffon, are incredibly tough to score on, especially if they jump out on top.
I don’t want to break down in much detail what I think Portugal might do for a theoretical match, but although Scolari can be remarkably flexible in his alignments, he does like that 4-2-3-1 with wingers Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo supporting Pauleta. Costinha returns, and if he behaves himself tonight, he and Maniche will have holding duties but may will be able to move forward on occasion while Deco directs matters on both sides of the center stripe. With decent protection of their formidable back four and the continued performance of the tournament’s best keeper Ricardo, Portugal will be as stingy as Italy with goals. I look for Portugal to claim a 1-0 win tonight, and it might not any different on Sunday against Italy.
I know I am giving Les Bleus short shrift here, but time is short and my prediction has been made in any case. Hope everyone enjoys the game in any case.
Dave hamildav@yahoo.com
Posted from United States
By jeje | July 5th, 2006 at 7:08 pm By the way, John, you are a smart one and being born in north america does not make us stupid. In fact, we should be proud that we were born in a continent were we have so many different people from all over the world, this helps us know what people of other cultures are and what they believe in. This is something that very few countries have.
QUE VIVA NORTH AMERICA!!!!!!
Posted from United States
By curtis | July 5th, 2006 at 8:25 pm its amazing that the computer, the car, the airplane, and most other modern inventions were invented by americans but we are called stupid by those who use them. racism, terrorism,and suicide bombings, and beheadings really are not inventions of north americans but im sure someone will figure out a conspiricy theory to blame the jews or the americans
hey vive france and zidane
Posted from United States
By redheart | July 5th, 2006 at 8:56 pm Unfortunally racism, behading and terrorism(terrorism is more than suicide bombings) exist since the human being became (in)civilized. The car is not a american invention. And Here nobody wants to blame americans(there are good and bad people, smart or stupid in any part of globe), jews(Who talked about jews?),arabs(zinedine zidane for example) or anyone with specific race, ethnic group or religion. So please stop all those xenophobic comments.
Posted from Portugal
By Jr | July 5th, 2006 at 9:32 pm HEY GUYS, WHEN DOES THE GAME START?
Posted from United States
By hyper | July 6th, 2006 at 2:01 am Portugal lost the game but we can say that our chance of playing in the finals was stolen from us…. on the other hand there is peace on Saint Clair, Toronto Canada and tonight everybody can sleep….
Posted from 
Canada
By CRazyCathy | July 7th, 2006 at 3:30 am POrtugal was Robbed.. they deserved to win it all.. I mean France obviously played well.. but Italy has been helped and carried all the way through.. what a Shame … This World Cup bites the beg one.. and FIFA Sucks Big Hard D _ _ _ s.. it all sucks.. who gives a crap who winds this one …
Posted from Canada
By IOAN TODIROAE (i_todiroae@yahoo.fr 21:41 sa08.07.2006 Piatra-Neamt, ROUMANIE) | July 8th, 2006 at 8:41 pm Rezultat final : Portugalia / Portugal 0 Franta / France 1
Data : mi 05 \ 07 \ 2006
Locul : München / Munich
Tara : Germania / Deutschland / Allemagne / Germany
Faza : a doua semifinala
Competitia : Campionatul Mondial de Fotbal Germania 2006
Coupe du Monde de Football Allemagne 2006
Football Coupe du Monde Allemagne 2006
FIFA WORLD CUP Germany 2006
2006 FIFA World Cup Germany
Vive la France !!!
Allez les bleus !!!
Vive les bleus !!!
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