The Portuguese head coach said that the Quarter Finals is his primary goal. Is that good enough for a squad with the talent of the Portuguese?
On Monday afternoon, Portuguese National Team coach Paulo Bento announced his squad of 23 players for the upcoming Euro 2012. While their were a few players left out that may have left some Portugal fan's confused, for the most part the picks were what many expected.
In Paulo Bento's press conference he said: "Our goal is to reach the quarter-finals, and then once we get there we will work to make it further."
"Holland and Denmark are potential candidates for the title and it is possible that the next European Champion could come from our group," said Paulo Bento.
Group B is what many consider to be the group of 'death' as Denmark, Holland, Germany and Potugal will all fight for the top two spots. Going into the tournament, Germany and Holland appear to be the favorites to make it out, but Cristiano Ronaldo and company will be sure to do everything to secure a spot in the elimination rounds.
Some key players that were not included in the final 23 were: Quim (SC Braga Goalkeeper), Manuel Fernandes (Besiktas Midfielder), Daniel Carrico (Sporting CP Defender), as well as Hugo Viana (SC Braga Midfielder).
Paulo Bento will be looking to silence his many critics and doubters as Portugal are not expected by many to make it out of this group over a very strong Dutch and German side. The former Portuguese International also announced that he has a list of eight reserve players in case of injury but he would not release those names.
23 Man Squad:
Goalies: Rui Patricio (Sporting CP) Eduardo (Genoa) Beto (Porto)
Defenders: Joao Pereira (Sporting CP) Pepe (Real Madrid) Bruno Alves (Zenit) Rolando (Porto) Ricardo Costa (Valencia) Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid) Miguel Lopes (SC Braga)
Midfielders: Joao Moutinho (Porto) Raul Meireles (Chelsea) Carlos Martins (Benfica) Ruben Micael (Zaragoza) Miguel Veloso (Genoa) Custodio (SC Braga)
Forwards: Nelson Oliveira (Benfica) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) Nani (Manchester United) Hugo Almeida (Besiktas) Helder Postiga (Zaragoza) Varela (Porto) Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas)
In Paulo Bento's press conference he said: "Our goal is to reach the quarter-finals, and then once we get there we will work to make it further."
"Holland and Denmark are potential candidates for the title and it is possible that the next European Champion could come from our group," said Paulo Bento.
Group B is what many consider to be the group of 'death' as Denmark, Holland, Germany and Potugal will all fight for the top two spots. Going into the tournament, Germany and Holland appear to be the favorites to make it out, but Cristiano Ronaldo and company will be sure to do everything to secure a spot in the elimination rounds.
Some key players that were not included in the final 23 were: Quim (SC Braga Goalkeeper), Manuel Fernandes (Besiktas Midfielder), Daniel Carrico (Sporting CP Defender), as well as Hugo Viana (SC Braga Midfielder).
Paulo Bento will be looking to silence his many critics and doubters as Portugal are not expected by many to make it out of this group over a very strong Dutch and German side. The former Portuguese International also announced that he has a list of eight reserve players in case of injury but he would not release those names.
23 Man Squad:
Goalies: Rui Patricio (Sporting CP) Eduardo (Genoa) Beto (Porto)
Defenders: Joao Pereira (Sporting CP) Pepe (Real Madrid) Bruno Alves (Zenit) Rolando (Porto) Ricardo Costa (Valencia) Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid) Miguel Lopes (SC Braga)
Midfielders: Joao Moutinho (Porto) Raul Meireles (Chelsea) Carlos Martins (Benfica) Ruben Micael (Zaragoza) Miguel Veloso (Genoa) Custodio (SC Braga)
Forwards: Nelson Oliveira (Benfica) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) Nani (Manchester United) Hugo Almeida (Besiktas) Helder Postiga (Zaragoza) Varela (Porto) Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas)
