If the Portugal squad thought the rousing welcome they received on their arrival in Neuchatel could not be topped, they were forced to revise their opinions in their second training session in Switzerland.
Carnival atmosphereAn estimated 10,000 Portuguese supporters greeted the squad on Sunday night but more than 12,000 fans were present on Tuesday at Neuchâtel Xamax FC's Stade de la Malinière as coach Luiz Felipe Scolari put his men through their paces. There was a carnival atmosphere inside and around the stadium as Portuguese supporters from Switzerland, Germany and France gathered to catch a glimpse of their heroes.
Rousing receptionAs Scolari's squad took to the field, they each generously returned the applause they received from the packed stands. Unsurprisingly, the biggest cheer was reserved for Cristiano Ronaldo, selected as one of the squad's five 'captains' by the coach in recognition of his growing influence. The public were treated to a full eleven-a-side practice match, with third-choice goalkeeper Rui Patrício the only player not to start, the watchful Scolari as referee, albeit one who stopped the game intermittently for tactical adjustments. It was serious too. When Ronaldo charged down Ricardo's clearance and drove the ball into the empty net, the Manchester United FC winger met the goalkeeper's protests for handball with a stern wag of his finger.
Trademark free-kickSoon after the crowd saw what they were waiting for, with Ronaldo hovering in his trademark preparatory stance before striking a fierce free-kick past Ricardo. Even the arrival of some unseasonal rain failed to dampen spirits as Scolari shuffled his two sides in the second half, moving Ronaldo into a central position flanked by Nani and Simão on the wings. The coach may be continuing to formulate his first-choice lineup ahead of the Group A opener against Turkey but one thing he can be sure of is continuing support in their home from home. The local Portuguese community's passion will not let up, as one supporter explained: "The feeling you have for Portugal is even stronger when you're far away."