if by jinx you mean any team with some level of consistency at the back (germany, france, italy and... greece), then yes, we haven't broken it yet. also dead balls seem to be our weakness - lost on a corner to greece, conceded against CZ on another corner, and finally lost to germany through two free kicks. there is no excuse, especially in the third goal - the players had more than enough warning.
RICARDO WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?!?!
the ref was kind of crap, imo, as there was a foul in Ballack's goal and Nuno Gomes was pulled down in the box, but i'm not going to press this issue as the team once again didn't have what it takes to be champions.
in desperation, we did the usual - stupid mindless crosses into a box where the defenders were much taller than us looking for a striker that isn't that good. we did score, but after, what, 30 crosses? Italy was 3-0 down to Holland but always kept playing their own game. why can't we not lose our heads whenever we're losing?
when we scored the first one, in that period, we caught germany with their pants down a few times, but always went for a more controlled attack than a rapid counter-attack. you can't give the germans time at the back, they reorganise themselves very very fast.
finally, Ronaldo. what a strange player. he's probably the most complete there is, at least in ofense: excellent shot, cross, dribble, pass, you name it. he didn't play as a striker yet he scored 43 goals this season!!
but somehow he's not the kind of dominating player you give the ball to to organise the game. he's not a thinker, he's a doer. Portugal must think he's another Deco, Figo or Rui Costa. just give him some space and he'll make the shot or vital last pass, but don't expect him to create goals out of thin air like the other 3 i mentioned.
i guess he can't win matches by himself... i think that he makes a weak team only 10% better, but a strong team 120% better. you know?
).
