UEFA EURO 2016

Portugal is European champion

The underdog triumphed, and the hosts in the valley of tears: Portugal wins the European championship final, the dominated actually France. Not even the tragic injury of Superstar Ronaldo can stop the Portuguese.

The French player stood or sat stunned on the grass, with blank faces, and looked unhappy to the unrestrained celebration of the Portuguese during the award ceremony. “Les Bleus” to the top scorer Antoine Griezmann (6 hits) was the third European title after 1984 and 2000, is denied. “There are no words to describe the feeling. The disappointment is immense,” said coach Didier Deschamps. “It takes time to process.” France had dominated the match for long stretches. However, opponents of Portugal won with 1:0 (0:0) n. V. the European title, the first international Triumph in the Portuguese football. And had to be replaced without the help of his exceptional player and captain: Cristiano Ronaldo due to injury early on. The prouder he limped and later on the tribune and covered the silver Cup in the sky of Paris.

The final whistle goes. Portugal are #EURO2016 champions! pic.twitter.com/c9OZVRlSu0

— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFA EURO) 10. July 2016

As one of the four best third-Portugal had come into the K. o.-round – with three draws. It is the 1:0 n. V. in the second round and the 5:3 i. e. against Poland in the next round followed. Only in the semi-finals of the first and only victory of this EM within 90 minutes: the 2:0 against Wales. In the final, the Eleven of Fernando Santos needed also 108 minutes, to match-winner Eder, stands in the French League when Lille OSC under the contract, the decisive goal was scored. “That was madness. We felt that the whole of Portugal is behind us. We are the lucky, but deserved winner,” said Eder, and reported to the television channel ARD, that Ronaldo told him before the overtime, he should score the winning goal.

Ronaldo’s assignment ends early

Earlier shock for Portugal: star striker Cristiano Ronaldo out injured

The game had started with an absolute nightmare for the Portuguese. It is the 24 delivery. Minute, on the lawn of the Stade de France in Paris, a Drama took place: Portugal Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer sank resignedly to the ground and signaled: “do It.” He had tried for minutes to continue the game, had band act on the teeth bit, but the knee was badly damaged, the pain too great. With tears in the eyes of the band, he and his hastily summoned, anxious striker Nani the captain’s armband and began to cry then bitterly. His dream, to win for Portugal, and especially with Portugal, the first major title in an international tournament that ended early and in a cruel way. Dimitri Payet had the Portuguese Superstar is already in the 8. Minute, fouled, and with the full force of the left knee taken. Referee Mark Clattenburg is not punished it.

At every touch of the ball, Ronaldo had been, and then booed before, by the French audience, this was only the final in EM sentiment. It looked from the start to the offensive-oriented French team, which made clear that it wanted the title – no matter what the cost. In the 10. Minute examined Antoine Griezmann for the first time, Rui Patricio with a dangerous header of the ball. The Portuguese goalkeeper parried just as shiny as after a powerful shot from the lively Moussa Sissoko 34. Minute. The genes send to the Portuguese Central defender Pepe a lot of work, but Portugal held at half-time the score was 0:0.

Open second half

Artistically it was for Portugal in extra time

“Allez les Bleus”, came the reply in the middle of the second half from the stands, followed by the Marseillaise. The Fans realized that you had to support your Team. Although the Portuguese played without Ronaldo harmless, not met the French goal. Griezmann put in the 66. Minute with a header but the ball is free-standing from six meters over the goal. National coach Didier Deschamps could not believe it. Later, Olivier Giroud failed in graduating from a tight angle on the Portuguese goalie (75.).

And suddenly Portugal came to opportunities: In the 80’s. Minute and the French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was able to parry the powerful shot Nani only to the front, where Ricardo Quaresma and the Ball by the case back down again on goal. A Minute later, Nani shot just over the goal. It was the start of a tumultuous final phase. Sissokos far shot parried by Rui Patricio. But it was beaten in injury time when substitute André-Pierre Gignac moved to hit the post and an Outcry by the stadium went.

Ronaldo power of courage

Offensively strong, but this Time without Torglück: “Les Bleus”

And then it went into overtime. Never been to a European championship final was remained after 90 minutes goalless. From the cab, the bandaged Ronaldo came up with a completely different body language than with his replacement, he was brought in on a Stretcher. Upright and without crutches, he went to his team-mates, patting them on the shoulder, offering encouragement and sat down on the bench. There he remained not long, it held him there. Because he had to idly watch as his Team a Chance awarded to Chance. Pepe brought in from an offside position, the first a dangerous Header on target. In the 104. Minute Eder then put a head to the ball-Bouncing ball in the direction of Lloris, who could not hold on to the Ball and to the side cleared.

Also in the second half of extra time, Portugal had the chances: Only Raphael Guerreiro fired the Ball through a controversial free-kick on to the crossbar. In the 109. Minute he was in there – Eder had hit him. With right, bottom left. Untenable. And Ronaldo cried again. This Time out of joy.

To read you here again all the highlights of the EM-finals in our DW-live Ticker: