***** Official Netherlands v. Portugal Thread *****

[cognito20]

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how many breaks can england get in a WC? they have a group with T&T, Paraguay , and a sweden team that looked nothing like they did in qualifications. they play ecuador in the round of 16, and now they're playing a portugal side w/o deco.

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Hey, it's not like England have exactly been lucky in previous World Cups. Maybe this is the luck evening out a little bit. The last 2 times England has played Portugal in major tournaments (the last 2 European championships), they should have won both times, inexplicably falling asleep after going quickly up 2-0 in Euro 2000, then having Sol Campbell's winning header the 2004 quarters called back for a nonexistent foul in the box. Plus England has not played anywhere -near- their potential in this tournament yet, and it's only a matter of time before the real England shows up, and I don't think Portugal can handle that team if they appear. The one advantage Portugal has here is that Big Phil will outmanage Sven (damn, am I glad we're rid of him after this WC) up and down the pitch if it comes down to that, but especially in light of these suspensions I don't think it will.