Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Ciao Italia

Ciao,
today I'm writing about Italy.

For those who don’t know, Italy is craved in my heart.

On August 17st of 2003 I landed at Malpensa airport - Milan.

Aiming to follow my career in such a beautiful country and also one of the best Soccer Leagues in the world.

There I had an agent waiting for me, Andrea Stagni.



Andrea managed everything to get me a team but things didn’t go so well, but that’s another story.

When I left I said goodbye to a friend.

In the meantime I kicked a soccer ball in pitches in places like Forli, Paternó, Benevento, San Benedetto del Tronto and Wil (Switzerland).

I met great people, made friends, visited gorgeous towns like Cesenatico or Milano Maritimo, lived in the beautiful Cesena, learned a new language and grew up as a person.



So there I was in Italy till November 19th of 2003.

My dream of play professional in Italy didn’t really come true, but I fell in Love with their culture.

The people, the beauty of the cities I visited, the music, the Ferrari cars and of course the food!

I just Love Pasta, mama mia cosi buona.

I have a few good stories in Italy believe me ... Lol ... and i will tell you all about it in the next couple of weeks.

Starting with the day that I met Diego Armando Maradona or the day that I slept at the Milano train Station.. ah!

Well for now I just wanna drop a line to the Italian National Team.

They lost their spot in the EURO race but they are the World Champions and a great FORZA AZZURRA that we all know.

And last but not the least a big and warm Ciao to all Italians and especially to my Good friends Andrea Stagni, Nicoleta, Rachele e Matilde.

Ciao tutti a presto

Monday, June 23, 2008

Wolves Annual Gala Dinner



Sat June 21st, 2008

At the Vila D'Oro, the Wollongong FC family got together to celebrate another year.
Scott Badburn and the band Street Talk entertained the night with good music.
An auction, raffles, good food and good wine, made the rest of the night, a very special event for the Wolves.



Some players showed their skills on the dance floor with some good dance moves, Matt Baileys, Lachlan and myself did pretty good … Lol

After, we headed to the bars in town and extend the night a little longer, because we had no game on Sunday.

Friday, June 20, 2008

There goes the Cup ...



It is hard to translate for words what goes in my heart.

Football is just a sport and losing games like this are part of the thing ... yeah yeah ... but it feels hard to take it.

There is a mix of sadness and anger, but if i rewind the story a bit ... i have to feel better. This wasnt a sad story. It was a sad end to a dream, but it was great while it lasted.

Germany won. Congratz to them. They played better and scored one more than we did. They are the winners and i wish them success.

As far as it goes to Portugal ... I AM PROUD TO BE PORTUGUESE.
I enjoyed two great wins vs Turkey and Czech Republic ... so i cant just blame this or that player for yesterday's result.



In the 2006 World Cup we also had a great run up til the Semis and in 2004 Euro Cup it was the time of my life ... so in the end of the day, yes i am sad ... but i am also pleased that you guys gave me the good habit of winning.

!!! VIVA PORTUGAL !!!

I have to conclude with 2 words for Luiz Felipe Scolari. THANK YOU.



Since he arrived there was a good transformation in our competitiveness. We go for any tournament aiming high (that is why the falls hurt so much) and that is mostly thanks to him.

Good luck at Chelsea FC and Hats Off for your work in Portugal!

... Lets the 2010 World Cup campaign begin !!!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Field of Dreams ...



Later today i will be, like millions of other Portuguese, cheering for Our national team to beat Germany and qualify for the Euro 2008 semi-finals.

I will sing A Portuguesa alone in my home in Wollongong, New South Wales, but i will do it from my heart ... so that Our national team can feel it at St. Jakob-Park in Basel!

Guys i trust you and i believe we can win!



Let St Jakob Park be Our Field of Dreams !

I am Portuguese ... and i am proud to be Portuguese!



Viva Portugal !

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Noroc Romania

Tuesday, June 17th, 2008

This is my 100th post and i would like to dedicate it to my new Romanian friends.



Today can become a very important day for Romania as they face the possibility of going thru in the so-called group-of-death in the Euro 2008.

Italy vs France may be pointless if Romania wins its match versus Holland ... and that is what i will be hoping for.

I was recently in Bucharest to play Romanian Stars vs World Stars.



Being on the World Stars squad I was we many fellow Portuguese like Luis Figo, Fernando Couto, Jorge Costa, Oceano but from our “opponent” I had a very warm welcome by Gica Popescu and Mircea Lucescu.

Bucharest is also an interesting city, really worthwhile a good visit.



Have a nice game guys.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Mixed feelings ...

Well Today was a mixed journey.

With the boots on we beat Manly Utd 1-0 in what was an important result, leaving us 4th just 2 points away from 2nd.

But later with the remote in hand i watched Switzerland beating Portugal 2-0.



It wasnt a "real" game but i was expecting a better result and performance from my Selecção: The Swiss deserved the win.

Now, lets move forward towards thursday quarter-finals match vs ... Germany, Austria or Poland.

Take care guys and enjoy a great week.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

A day at the races ...



Today i tried something diferent ... Horse Races.

Well ... i really liked it. Nice place with a good atmosphere at the Kembla Grange Racecourse.

I didnt make a Million with my bets ... in fact i lost 20 bucks!!!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Czech Rep goes down 3-1



Thank you guys ... u really make me proud with these great results ...

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Timor Leste future generation in Malacca

Dear TORRES,
the main reason why i am so honored to represent Timor Leste, every time i can, is to give you and all our countrymen another reason, to keep believing that we will build a better Timor Leste.

I have visited your blog at http://timorlestenewgeneration.blogspot.com and i will keep track of your activities.

God bless you all.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Portugal 2 * Turkey 0

Oo Oo Oo Oo Portugal Alé ! Portugal Alé ! Portugal Alé !


Oo Oo Oo Oo Portugal Alé ! Portugal Alé ! Portugal Alé !



Oo Oo Oo Oo Portugal Alé ! Portugal Alé ! Portugal Alé !

Força Portugal !!!

I am on "the other" side of the world ... with an even bigger faith on our SELECÇÃO ... Força Portugal !!! Força Felipão !!!



Tenho uma bandeira à janela, um cachecol na mão e uma honra imensa no meu coração !!!

!!! PORTUGAL PORTUGAL PORTUGAL !!!