Don’t tell Portugal, but they have a tomorrow

The Portuguese reprise after the 1960s started after they won the 1991 World Under-20 Cup. They were much ahead of their rivals, a team packed with potential: Brassard (goalkeeper), Jorge Costa, Paulo Torres, Rui Costa, Luis Figo, Joao Pinto were in the starting XI, Vitor Baia and Rui Jorge on the bench. World — Europe at least — domination was expected to be only a few steps away with a batch of German greats bowing out after the 1990 final win, England nowhere, France yet to discover Zidane, Italy on a rebuilding process.

They went to the best clubs in Spain and Portugal, earned more money than anyone in the small country ever did before, and fans at home continued to dream. Eusebio couldn’t. Figo will. But then came the sequence of disappointments. They remained the Brazilians of Europe, bursting with flair and skill at the seams. But World Cups 1994, 1998 and 2002 came and went without the galaxy of stars doing anything to reach their potential. Figo remained the most visible star, moving to high-profile Barcelona first and then Real Madrid.

The 2002 World Cup — where they lost in the first round — served to quieten the ambitions at home. Joao Pinto and Sergio Costinha’s careers were effectively over and Baia wouldn’t play for the team again. The players were past their prime. If they couldn’t in these 10 years, they never will.

TODAY

Till appeared a batch of youngsters. Cristiano Ronaldo is the one big gun — Figo apart — who plays outside Portugal (Manchester United) and is therefore more visible. But with Porto’s Champions league win, names like Maniche, Deco, Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Costinha, entered the consciousness.

What Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had under him as a result were the vestiges of the old guard in Luis Figo and Rui Costa, along with a fabulous assortment of primarily home-grown talent. The result: Game and Set at Euro 2004, with Match remaining to be called.

TOMORROW

Bright enough, something France or Holland could never do. After Platini’s generation (Giresse, Rochesteau, Six, Tigana, Bats) went out, it took them well over a decade to return to the mainstream. Holland took as long to discover the Gullit-Van Basten-Rijkaard combine after Cruyff’s exit and Hungary and Russia (or Soviet Union) have yet to raise their heads.

With Ricardo in goal, the defence and midfield young and energetic and promising Postiga and Simao up front the future looks good. Players like Luis Figo and Rui Costa might not play another major, but the rest will. And with their current status right on top of European football — both club and nation — who’s to say they won’t stay there for a few more years?