The first official roster for EURO 2007 was known yesterday in Portugal, when the Lusitan head coach Orlando Duarte announced the 14 names who will therefore be involved in the prestigious European Championship of Gondomar.

A special mention definitely goes to the Burela Pescados Ruben's player Formiga, who worked so hard in order to recover from the past season serious injury and managed to be included in the list. A more than deserved prize for the former Freixieiro and Celta Vigo's man.

First ever caps for the brazilian Leitão. The Lobelle de Santiago's flank pivot will probably make his absolute debut with Portugal in the friendlies vs Greece and will play the European Championship for the Orlando Duarte's squad though having a so short experience with the portuguese side, something similar to what happened in 2004 with Seco (who made his debut in October vs Croatia, just few weeks before the World Cup beginning) in the Italian National team. Both of them had previous caps with the Brazilian National team.

Orlando Duarte, who was in Padova until past sunday in order to evaluate his Benfica's mini-block, had also to face two heavy absences (though they were known since a long time): we're obviously talking about the Benfica's couple composed of the talented goalkeeper Bebè and the portuguese legend Andrè.


EURO 2007: Portuguese National Team - Players list

Goalkeepers
Alex (Boavista FC)
Cristiano (Sporting CP)
João Benedito (Sporting CP)

Field Players
Israel (AR Freixieiro)
Ivan (AR Freixieiro)
Formiga (Burela Pescados Rubén - SPAIN)
Marcelinho (DKV Seguros Zaragoza - SPAIN)
Leitão (Lobelle de Santiago - SPAIN)
Joel (MRA Navarra - SPAIN)
Arnaldo (SL Benfica)
Gonçalo (SL Benfica)
Costinha (SL Benfica)
Ricardinho (SL Benfica)
Zé Maria (SL Benfica)

Head coach: Orlando Duarte






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com