OK, so I have been to a few soccer games in my life. We had several children and multiple grandchildren play soccer. I loved watching our kids compete in high school games and there were years when we were close to winning the championship. I appreciate and love soccer. That being said...the people of Portugal LOVE soccer (a.k.a. futebol) ! The soccer stars here are true celebrities and like in the States, make an unrealistic amount of money.
The size of the stadiums here let you know they mean business! During the regular season, the different clubs scattered around Portugal compete with each other for a country champion. After the regular season this year, they brought all the best players together for an "all stars" team to compete in the European Cup. Even Christian Renaldo (who is from Portugal but plays for Spain Real) plays on the Portugal 'All Star' team.
Our friend and worker at the PEF office got us tickets to an exhibition game with Iceland before the real playoff games began. I must say, it was a wild time in the stadium and a lot of fun. We figured along with the Neiswenders, we were making a lot of missionary contacts!!
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| This is Renaldo!!! I hear he is the 2nd ranked soccer player in the world. He seems to be a pretty nice guy, involved in helping others with his charity work and is fairly down to earth. |
Inside the Stadium...pretty cool.
We got to watch a later playoff game at the home of Antonio Paulo ... that game ended in a tie but good enough to move them forward.
The final game was won over France, who was considered a clear favorite. Renaldo had been out of the game due to injury before the beginning of the second half. It was won in overtime 1-0. This a FIRST championship for them! Congratulations to this small country of Portugal with the BIG heart. They partied into the next morning.
I have come to know that the people of Portugal are filled with country pride and pride in their long and great history. I am happy for them to be able to add this victory to their patriotic list of achievements.
5 comments:
so very cool!!! Brett was excited to bring ike home early from church for his "much needed nap"...and i'm sure to watch the end of the game!! haha! looks like a party there!
hey this is carter. that is so cool. it looks like you guys had lots of fun. love ya
hey this is carter. that is so cool. it looks like you guys had lots of fun. love ya
crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how fun to watch and in overtime??!?! thats awesome.. i want to watch Renaldo while im there...is that possible or maybe meet him in person for dinner over fish...think about it. ask antonio...
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