Football Groups Olympics Rio 2016

Gerardo Martino look carefully every detail of the ceremony for the draw for the groups of football for the Olympic Games . The memory of the 2014 World Cup does not go unnoticed even one second: in fact, although the competition is in Rio de Janeiro, the game of eleven against eleven will use the armed venues for the World Cup and will be federal. The great figure, although it is not present there, will be Neymar , who will face the media throughout the tournament. Lionel Messi , but his intimates wanted to be confident that will not be heading. Uniting the two figures, shown seated on a chair Ronaldinho, who observes in detail how they will distribute the 16 teams that make up this tournament, where Argentina won gold twice and twice the silver medal:

Group A: Brazil , Iraq, South Africa, Denmark .

Group B: Japan , Nigeria , Sweden, Colombia .

Group C: Mexico , Republic of Korea, Fiji , Germany.

Group D: Argentina, Honduras , Portugal , Algeria.

Argentina debut against Portugal in Rio de Janeiro, at 18, on August 4. He will face Algeria, also in Rio de Janeiro. And against Honduras in Brasilia .

HEADQUARTERS

Although the Olympic Games will be in Rio de Janeiro, the football tournament will be held in six cities a logical question: many teams and games do not come into a city. The seven official stadiums are Brasilia (National Stadium), Belo Horizonte (Mineirao), San Salvador (Arena Fonte Nova), Manaus (Arena Amazonia), São Paulo (Arena of São Paulo) and Rio (Maracana, which will be played the final and Olympic Stadium).

ASSORTED PICKS

In the men 's tournament, will play 16 countries, with the following distribution: Africa (3 places), North America, Central America and the Caribbean (2.5 places), South America (1.5 places), Europe (4 seats) , Asia (3 places), Oceania (1 place) and home country ( Brazil ). There are still four teams qualify.

HOW TO DISPUTE

Cristiano Ronaldo dreams of winning the Euro 2016

Portugal is already in the semifinals of Euro 2016 after beating Poland on penalties in a match that ended in a draw, the fifth in five games in the Portuguese selection. In mixed zone, Cristiano Ronaldo attended the media and was optimistic and ambitious.

"It's a dream to win the European Championship because I have won many trophies with club but nothing Portugal. My performance is not important, what counts is the team, and we have done a fantastic job."

In addition, the player Real Madrid spoke of his rival in the semifinals, which will come out of the clash between Belgium and Wales: "Belgium is very strong but Wales at the moment is the surprise of the Euro".

Cristiano looking for the semifinals against Poland

Poland and Portugal will play the first match of the quarterfinals of Euro 2016 , looking for the pass to the semifinals that allows them to be among the top four in Europe.

A priori the Luso set is the favorite, although it is true that those of Fernando Santos failed to win a single tournament match in 90 minutes. The only victory came against Croatia in the second round and with a goal in extra time of Quaresma .

Still, Portugal proved to be a solid and arguments to think they can win the title team. In addition, Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to show his best in the competition and players like him, sooner or later appear.

That same Poles think its star, Robert Lewandowski . The striker of Bayern Munich is providing very little in this European Championship, but like CR7, can appear at any time and end up being decisive.

Poland, meanwhile, reached the quarterfinals after beating Switzerland on penalties and although they were not better than the Swiss in the second round, with a great defensive system, Krychowiak leading the midfield and with 'Lewan' up, are believed capable of giving more than a scare to Portugal.

Euro 2016: Hungary - Portugal, 3-3 (chronic)

FORGET ABOUT THE HEAD AND TACTICS, WAS ONLY THERE FOR THE HEART AND ONLY GAVE THE "LESSER EVIL".

Forget the head, the scheme and tactics - the 4x4x2, diamond, or more conservative, 4x3x3 or something like that. It was there by heart. Three times at a disadvantage and three times to recover worth the third place (with late goal from Iceland in the other game) and eighth of end with Croatia.

In the first less well achieved part of Euro 2016, the Team agreed to a goal failing to cancel two of the strengths of Hungary - one Dzsudzsák corner, as always creating confusion, relief and ball to fall in unprotected area, front to area - and half away, with the  old man  Gera to hit the ball well and this to come near the left post of Rui Patrício goal. The downside, after 20 minutes, emphasized the Portuguese disbelief, which had already started the game without apparent conviction. Or, if you prefer, at an excessively slow pace.

It was noted in these first 45 minutes, the response team to the appeals of Fernando Santos sometimes an uglier game, more direct. Pepe tried soon to open to the Nani Cristiano Ronaldo had failed to Iceland, with also advanced Fenerbahçe unable to master. Gestures of central Madrid for companions to go up before kickoff, some had served. He yes, it showed up very dynamic back there, and also tried to bring the ball to the attack.The most direct football sometimes seemed exaggerated, as the little effect which remained after this failed reception by Nani.

The first few minutes of João Mário denounced the average of Sporting was preparing to play a leading role in meeting this Wednesday in Lyon, drawing diagonals and trying to match Vieirinha on the right, but the goal of Gera would cool with these initiatives. Back to moments in the second half, it was important for the poor judgment that the team had. In growing.

Portugal plays in England in the second and main test for the Euro-2016

Portugal faces on Thursday England, in what will be the main test for the finals of Euro2016 and in which the picker Fernando Santos does not count on the European champions Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe.

The two Real Madrid players, key pieces in 'chess' the picker, only join the work of the selection on Sunday after they won the Champions League for the 'meringues', at the end of last week.

On the other hand, Nani and Bruno Alves, who failed the first test, with Norway, will already be available to Fernando Santos, who should make some changes in the 'eleven' that will start the match at Wembley Stadium.

Moreover, in Tuesday's training it was possible to glimpse the possible options for the confrontation with the British, particularly with regard to the defense and the midfield.

On defense, Ricardo Carvalho should be the one to repeat the title against Norway (3-0), making the sector with Vieirinha, Bruno Alves and Elisha, who can get to the places of Cédric, José Fonte and Raphael Guerreiro, respectively.

In what concerns the midfield, and assuming that Fernando Santos will keep the focus on 4x4x2, João Moutinho and João Mário appear to be 'untouchable' in the 'eleven' Luso while Adrien and Danilo, who entered during the meeting with the Norwegians, may appear in place of William Carvalho and André Gomes.

The attack, still an 'orphan' of  Cristiano Ronaldo , will be the sector that arise biggest questions with Quaresma, Eder, Nani and Rafa to fight for the two remaining spots, and the first two won 'points', with goals scored to Norway.

As for the goal, the picker can give possibility to Rui Patrício, who leaves for France with the holder status, or Eduardo, since Anthony Lopes kept the 'networks' national in the first test.

In the second preparation match for the Euro2016, Portugal will have to go to England, which will also be present at the final stage, being included in group B along with Russia, Wales and Slovakia.

The British, led by the experienced Roy Hodgson, were first classified in Group E qualification, despite being the only European team to get a campaign 100 per cent record with 10 wins in as many games.

The English team is one of the strong candidates for a place in the final of Euro2016, having a set of international-class players, especially in attack, which included names like Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool ), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) and the young Marcus Rashford (Manchester United).

The meeting England and Portugal is scheduled for 19:45, at Wembley Stadium in London.

João Mário says that Portugal is not afraid to play with no selection

Portuguese midfielder João Mário said today that Portugal is not afraid to face any team at Euro 2016, and hoped that the warm-up matches before the tournament that will play serve to refine weaknesses group.

"We are not afraid to play with any team We have very good points and others to improve, and that serve these warm-up matches. To enter the competition in the best way," he said at a news conference in Oeiras outside -a of Lisbon, where the Portuguese selection is concentrated.

The player Sporting Lisbon said the whole team believes in the "dream" of reaching the final, but that must first pass the group stage, and "not be afraid or fear of anything."

Although Portugal is a priori the favorite of group F of Euro, where are the selections of Austria , Hungary and Iceland, the average 23 - year warned that the road ahead will not be easy.

"In modern football there are no less strong teams. We have two top finishers in the group and that should serve as a warning. Our first opponent (Iceland) is a very strong team. We know what Portugal represents in Europe and we must have respect for others, but we know what we are worth, "he said.

Asked about the importance of Cristiano Ronaldo in the team, João Mário expected to get "more motivated" to the concentration of the -a selection which will join after playing the Champions League with Real Madrid - and "no injuries".

The player was also available to integrate the ranks of Portugal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, but stressed that the decision should take his club Sporting Lisbon.

Figo: "I do not lose anyone glad, I am a sportsman"

Portuguese Luis Figo , former player, among others, the FC Barcelona and Real Madrid said Monday in Berlin, when asked if he had rejoiced over the defeat of FC Barcelona team or the victory of the set target, he is not happy "that nobody loses" because it is "athlete".

Real Madrid beat on Saturday in Getafe (1-5) and Barcelona lost on Sunday at home against Valencia (1-2), so now those of Luis Enrique are leaders, but with the same points as the Atletico Madrid , which surpasses better balance in their confrontations.

The team led by the French Zinedine Zidane is third, one point of the Blaugrana, but also at a disadvantage to them in terms of the balance of fighting.

Figo, 43 and 127 times by Portugal , answered this way when asked at a press conference in the framework of the Laureus Awards by a journalist of Catalonia, which does not speak from a few years ago one members.

"I do not usually answer the Catalan press, but I'll answer because you're beautiful," he said to a reporter Figo television channel 8TV.

"I'm not glad the defeats of others, because I am an athlete. I do not know what you have in Barcelona against me," said the Portuguese.

"I spent five wonderful years there and went for reasons of money, family and lack of recognition," said Figo, who left the Blaugrana to join Real Madrid, the 2000-01 season.

"Honestly, both on Saturday and Sunday, I was playing golf and saw none of the two parties. My life depends not only on football, there are other things," he added.

"The dynamics emerge and it is not normal that the club has lost both games in a row. It does not depend on the quality of the players," said the Portuguese, who in the Champions League sees Favorites "Real Madrid and Bayern Munich."

" La Liga Spanish is open and anything can happen. Now things get tense , " said Figo, who, as madridista something happened at the time of his compatriot Queiroz (2003-04 season).

"You can be all season very well and in a week the results are crossed. You're not so good and you come all over. There are games in which you have ten clear chances and did not score a goal to the rainbow. This happens in the world of football. "

The Burns Leagues, Juve flies, and Leicester ties "in extremis"

The home defeat of Barcelona against Valencia has put the League "red hot" in a European weekend which saw Juve flies in the Calcio, the Leicester save " in extremis "a point in the Premier League, Bayern Munich and increasingly close alirón in the Bundesliga .

The day in the Old Continent also had names of scorers: Swedish Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint Germain), Poland 's Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich), and Argentine Sergio "Kun" Aguero ( Manchester City ) and Leo Messi ( Barcelona).

League, no doubt , is luxury, burns. Barcelona now seen as the Atletico Madrid will equal in the standings, although the Barcelona team is leading by "particularly between the two , " and as the Real Madrid is one point.

Something unthinkable only a month ago, when the Barcelona dominated widely, with up to 9 points ahead of Atletico and Real Madrid 13 over.

But Barcelona is dangerous "downhill". A spectacular fall in the league (a point in the last four games) has joined this week the elimination of Champions League Europe feet of Atletico Madrid. And the concern at the top.

Belgium-Portugal will be played in Leiria

The friendly match between the national teams of Belgium and Portugal will be held finally in lusas lands after both federations have reached agreement. Though initially sources of the Belgian Football Association confirmed that the match was suspended, after that decision negotiations have enabled an agreement to be played in the town of Leiria, on Tuesday 29 at 20.45 .

" We thank the Portuguese Federation availability, flexibility and soliciones proposed to us," explained the Belgian Federation in an official statement, which confirmed that persons having match ticket in the e Baudouin stadium in Brussels receive a mail on Wednesday telling them the procedure for reimbursement of their tickets during the month of April.

The initial moving it back to Portugal decision to suspend the meeting, and came a day after the terrorist attacks that left 34 dead and over 250 injured in the Belgian capital.

It is not the first time the combined Belgian has been forced to modify an event for security reasons. On 17 November, following the attacks in Paris, the party should have faced Belgium and Spain in Brussels was canceled .

That same November 17, the friendly football match between Germany and the Netherlands, scheduled to be played in Hannover, also was suspended for "security reasons".

In addition to the Portugal-Belgium, on Wednesday five friendly matches between teams in European territory dispute, and Thursday nine others, including Italy-Spain of Udine. None of them is in danger of cancellation.

Brussels calls for suspension of the Belgium - Portugal

The City of Brussels has asked the Belgian Football Federation canceled the friendly match between Belgium and Portugal to be held next Tuesday, March 29 at the King Baudouin stadium.

City Council's decision comes a day after the terrorist attacks that left 34 dead and over 250 injured in the Belgian capital.

The Belgian selection, concentrated in a hotel near the airport of Zaventem, one of the terrorist targets, and suspended training on Tuesday and has not scheduled any activity in the day today.

The Belgian Football Federation, meanwhile, is waiting to make a decision after meeting with the security services and government.

It is not the first time the combined Belgian has been forced to cancel an event for security reasons. On 17 November, following the attacks in Paris, the party should have faced Belgium and Spain in Brussels was also canceled .

The Portuguese Federation has confirmed that he is in permanent contact with its' Belgian to make a decision on the friendly counterparts.

For now, the Belgium-Portugal is the only friendly match selections has been questioned because of the attacks of Brussels. Wednesday five friendly matches between teams in European territory, and on Thursday nine others, including jostle Italy-Spain of Udine. None of them is in danger of cancellation.

Casillas, a step away from their first title in Portugal

Casillas is just one step away from winning his first title in his Portuguese adventure. Eliminated from European competitions, the whole of northern Portugal qualified yesterday for the Cup final , something that could not since 2011. But the curious fact that in the knockout tournament the Madrid goalkeeper is also given the titular doorman, as the chosen has been since the beginning Helton.

Yesterday Porto won 2-0 at Gil Vicente , team second division Portuguese who had already defeated the first leg 0 goals to 3. By Joseph Peseiro scored Chidozie young Nigerian central Awaziem (minute 11) and the free Malian Moussa Marega (80).

In addition to its classification, the "dragons" lived another good news as it was that after almost three months out, again played Alberto Spanish Well, who entered the pitch 43 minutes for the injury the Brazilian Evandro .

The final will be held next May 22 and the rival Casillas and yours will be the Brag to, which repeats the end although he lost last season against Sporting Lisbon on penalties. In the second leg tied to zero with Rio Ave, Vila do Conde making profitable in the 1-0 harvested in the first leg.

Should you win the Cup, Casillas added the title without playing. To have more protagonismo would have to lift the league , in which the Porto still has a chance, as is third , four points behind Sporting Lisbon and Benfica three.

Nuno Espirito Santo announced an end to his time at Valencia unconfirmed who has resigned

Dani Parejo, captain of Valencia , said the Portuguese Nuno Espirito Santo had told the players after the press conference he gave at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan who had resigned as coach.

"The coach has always conveyed that he could handle the situation. In the end it can not be seen," he said Parejo told Movistar Plus, "I do not know that they have had communication between himself and the president."

"Are we, we have to pull forward, defend the jersey, defend the shield and be more united than ever," said Parejo, who admitted that this situation came after "a tough week" with adverse outcomes and could not find his game and they had a good feeling.

However, he assessed that form a "good group of young" all components of the template are being "good" and stressed that "now more than ever we must be together."

Nuno Espirito Santo has ended his time as coach of Valencia without verbalized confirmation of his resignation, although in the press conference after the defeat of his team in Sevilla (1-0 ) said he wished the best for the team, the club, the fans and the property.

 He said he was proud to have been coach of Valencia, was grateful and wished him well for the future at the club Valencia.

Nuno joined Valencia last year and half and in his first season the team managed to qualify for the League of Champions, but in today failed to achieve a pattern of play, or feel embraced by the fans who have sent him on many occasions Mestalla shouting "Nuno, go now."

Despite counted from the first moment with absolute confidence Valencia owner, Peter Lim, and have been this season, following the departure of manager, Francisco Perez Rufete, as head of the sports club plot, the project has been truncated.

Nuno's words in a news conference after the 1-0 defeat at Sevilla were not specific and the only thing that was clear was that Monday will be a meeting with the president of the club, Layhoon Chan, after which further details will be specified I made ​​the announcement today.

Nuno got on the final day of last championship Valencia qualified for the Champions League and his hand last summer overcame qualifier against Monaco .

In the current campaign, the Valencia has never shown a definite style of play, or the league or the Champions League. In the national championship Valencia is eleventh, but just five points from the Champions League, although in the first third of the league has a bad image with better results than game.

In the Champions League, Valencia is a party of the qualifying round, but not dependent on himself. You must win at Olympique Lyon in the 9th Mestalla and wait a puncture of Ghent at home to Zenit St Petersburg.

The fans of Valencia has not attuned to the technician who, decision after decision, has ensured that the fracture was higher, with recent examples of this gap between those who emphasized the decision not to have Alvaro Negredo .

Although Negredo was not at its best, Nuno Espirito Santo led determining that the fans put on the player.

Unexpected changes in alignments, the existing sense that the leading role in the formation depended on the player's agent, in a club where the presence of Jorge Mendes has been constant, have also influenced.

The final determination of the technical striking has taken place in the meeting today. It has been the exclusion of alignment goalkeeper Jaume Domenech, who so far has been the key player in a discrete Valencia season.

After the morning meeting, the club announced strategy to replace Nuno Espirito Santo on the bench of Nuno Espirito Santo and try to straighten the course of the team.

Nuno Espirito Santo announced his move to "non-stop" this "project present and future"

The Portuguese Nuno Espirito Santo, until now coach of Valencia , announced his departure from the club after losing 1-0 away to Sevilla, stating that the company has "a draft and present future "that he does not want to" be curbed. "

 "We are all agreed that Valencia is a project of present and future. I do not want this to slow down, I want the Valencia again be among the largest in Europe," he said at a press conference.

After the meeting, Nuno appeared "sad" in the press room at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, but "very proud" of his time at Valencia, and was "eternally grateful because it was proud and honored to have been coach of Valencia ".

"Before the game I spoke with the president (Lay Hoon Chan) and property, Peter Lim, and also later, and we all agree that the situation is not good and we all have to do what's best for the club . That's always been my aim. I am an employee of the club, but it is important to make decisions, "said the Portuguese.

He would not say whether he has been dismissed or he has resigned from office and has reached an agreement with the leaders of the Valencian entity, and referred on Monday to give "details" after the meeting to be held "with ownership to decide on the future. "

Nuno Espirito Santo thanked his work "all players" who has had to Lim, who he said is "your friend" and will remain so, and "the fans of a great club like Valencia", which requested "to continue supporting the younger workforce League , which last year made ​​the best classification of its history (77 points) and still alive in all competitions. "

"It is important that the valencianismo remain united and believe in this project," said Nuno, who said before the match in Seville players "knew nothing" of what he had already spoken to the principals of the club about his future.

He acknowledged that "logically" is "sad" not to continue as coach, as "always" has "been closely identified with Valencia."

"We started here in Seville, was the first official match. We have achieved important objectives, we are in the Champions League and made the highest rating in history with 77 points. I am very proud and I hope I have contributed something to the players to improve their quality. I am grateful for every day I have been in Valencia has been a pride and an honor, "he said Nuno Espirito Santo.

On the 1-0 defeat at Sevilla, said it was "a disputed game, but has been conditioned by the expulsion (of gates) 35 minutes" because "up there, despite the control of Seville", his team was "really into the game."

"Then we struggled, but we never stopped fighting, even nine are still working, and no one gave up in the spirit that we won and that has made America great Valencia," he said.

Pope derbys

Last 6 years

15 games, 10 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss

27 to 6 goals.

This time

2 games, 2 wins, 4-0 in goals

Its share of victories and so clearly in terms of mastery and control is such amazing way that the light had anybody who thought that derbys would (or would be) guaranteed victories. When in the years prior to his arrival at Benfica, Sporting some years ago that dominated his rival ...

PS - Meanwhile on TV discusses the lack of quality of the side SL Benfica. In the cafe where I saw the game discussing the lack of any motivating speech Rui Vitória in the resort. While there is such a lack of knowledge about the game, this blog will make sense ...

PS II - SL Benfica goes to have had the past six years the highest percentage of wins of his post history to the sixties ...

PS III - In twenty minutes derby Sporting made ​​more goals in the Light that he had added the previous six years. 

PS - IV - A regular television commentator who had been months on end to praise the merits of Benfica and see defects in everything what was the Sporting suddenly remembered to say that Sporting is no better than Benfica, but much better. Would joke realize is this opinion based on a result, when previously not been able to understand the transformations underway. Would joke ... was not this person called to comment ... soccer games. So, it's just the reality of what we have in Portugal.

The worst FCP in recent years won the SLB worse in recent years

Not only in individual quality, very small with what was seen in Portugal two years ago. But as much as this, as in defining their play.

A FC Porto unable to play in the opponent's block, which will summing corridor variations the corridor without any recurring benefit there. A team without any idea offensive or defensive, waiting will be ninety minutes for a move any invented solely and exclusively in the heads of his interpreters.

A SL Benfica without passing lanes on the offensive moment and always leaving too many people behind the ball line, in order to be an acutely team in the last third. We need to pray a lot to the headers of their defenses in advanced or set pieces to unlock games.

In defense organisation also the worst one another in many years. Distances in the same sector unbelievable, demoralizing adjustments. High defences, yet when this was possible.

Too sad classic qualitatively in the day that another peripheral country ... Nani added another fine goal after a fantastic play as the style of ... Markovic.