The Hindu : Sport / World View : Portugal President honours Euro squad

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 07, 2004

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Sport - World View

Portugal President honours Euro squad

LISBON, JULY 6. President Jorge Sampaio awarded the Portugal's national football team with the Order of Infante D. Henrique in a ceremony at his official residence in Belem on Monday.

Deeply moved, his voice shaken by emotion, Sampaio congratulated the team for its ``outstanding performance'' at the European championship.Portugal was beaten 1-0 by Greece in the Euro 2004 final in Lisbon on Sunday night, denying Portugal the title on home soil.

``When I invited you here last Wednesday, I already knew that, regardless of last night's result, you would all be worthy of this commendment,'' Sampaio said. ``You are now linked to a never before seen feat in Portuguese soccer and helped put Portugal in the map. For that I thank you. Long live the Portuguese team and long live Portugal.''

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and Portuguese soccer federation President Gilberto Madail were presented with the award, given to one, whether at home or abroad, aids in expansion of Portuguese culture.

The head of state went on to urge the Portuguese to lend their new-found enthusiasm and strength to other projects in their life other than soccer.

``It has been a beautiful thing to see, the flags draped on balconies and cars, faces painted, the red and green of our cloth everywhere,'' Sampaio said. ``I hope the Portuguese can keep the spirit up and lend it to their everyday lives.'' — AP

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