U-20s

[razor]

Brutal end to a great story. I really thought they had it - kudos to Oscar for single-handedly winning that game - the cup-winner was sublime. In the end - a fair result given Brasil's goal-that-wasn't would have made it 2-1 in the 1st half and made for an entirely different game.

Sloppy at times, but one of the more entertaining games I've seen in a few years.

Kudos to Portugal for a great run!

[pila]

They played much better than I thought they would. I'd even go so far to say they had the better of the opportunities. Caetano could have really sealed the deal. Poor kid knows it too. Kid is going to be replaying that shot in his head for a loooong time.

[ograndetrinco]

Yup, a very good showing by the kids. They played a really good final, much sharper than their semi game vs. France. They brought it when it mattered for sure. Nice gutsy showing when they went down early too. I don't know if anyone in this squad will make the senior side, but I admire their character, so here's hoping some do!

Sidenote: Perhaps it's interesting to see teams of past and where the players have ended up 4 years later. Out of the team that played the U20 in Canada, only Coentrao has made senior side. If you recall, Gama was the defacto star of the team, Coentrao was second 'star', while Pele was another player tipped to do well, and my personal opinion was that #13, Antunnes was the most mature and most likely to make the senior side.

Where are the others now:
Gama - used to play fro Rio Ave, no clue how he did, got picked up by Deportivo this summer?
Pele - somewhere in Turkey
Antunnes - Livorno Serie B

[tinto]

Brutal is right. I felt gutted by that loss and very bad for those kids.