Scolari's Blunder, I Wonder

3-2.

Disappointment in our family at Portugal's loss to Germany in the first quarter-final of the EURO 2008 football championship on the 19th of June.  

Portugal seemed slow for the first twenty minutes.  The Germans marked their opponents quickly  and well.  They jumped on the ball quickly.  The Portuguese seemed sluggish and their passing was just off, enough to be ineffective.  They did get some life with their first goal late in the first half and seemed to gain more energy from Postiga's header but with three minutes to go it was too late.  German precision won out.

I can't help but wonder whether Scolari's decision to only play three of his regular XI against the Swiss on the 15th played a part.  Portugal lost that game 2-0.  It was a shame and as a fan I would have liked to have seen them come out with a desire to win and with a resulting three points.  Instead the B team was played and the result was a B grade - not enough to pass this EURO exam.  A win would have kept the Portuguese camp's confidence up, would have allowed them to start the next stage with a perfect record.  What a feeling for the players.  Instead eight of the XI were rested and most of those eight had eight days off before the German contest  (they had last played on June 11th against the Czech Republic).  

Were they groggy?  Had the buzz of the championship worn off?   You would think that these professionals should get pumped and play at 110%.   Ultimately I know the players are responsible for their action and you don't want to lay blame solely on the coach.  But he is the conductor.  The one who orchestrates the team, the players, choses them, motivates them, instructs them.  In my mind he failed.

Too bad....another major lost for Portugal.  On to 2010 and the World Cup.  GO! and goodbye Scolari.