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23 mars 2020
WHERE ARE THEY NOW ? - The Portugal squad crowned in 2001 (2/17)
A few weeks before the kick-off of the 48th edition of the Maurice Revello Tournament (1-14 June), we are launching our traditional pre-competition series. During its rich history, the Tournament has welcomed a bunch of big names. More than 1800 of them became senior internationals and enjoyed successful careers. This year, we’ll take a look at the tournament’s winners since the beginning of the 2000’s. Do you know what they became ? What club they played for ? What they have won after the Tournament ? Second episode with the Portugal squad that lifted the trophy in 2001.
Five games, five wins, twelve goals netted, the title as well as the top scorer and the second best player awards… During the Maurice Revello Tournament 2001, Portugal almost destroyed everything on its way. For its 29th edition, the competition, which featured eight teams, offered to us a five-star lineup : Portugal, France, Netherlands, Colombia, Italy, Japan, Poland and United States
Not enough to disturb a well prepared Portuguese squad. Under the guidance of Antonio Violante, the Seleçao have beaten firstly at Nîmes the hosts France (3-2) led by players like Djibril Cissé, Alou Diarra, Philippe Mexès and Benoît Cheyrou.
Then, Poland (2-1) and Japan (4-1) were outclassed by the Portuguese youngsters. Their perfect group stage campaign allowed them to reach the semi-finals where they faced Netherlands. Supported by a crowd getting behind its cause, the Seleção das Quinas eventually won (1-0) in the last ten minutes against a side composed of players like Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, John Heitinga et Maarten Stekelenburg.
Portugal kept their momentum going in the final against title holders Colombia. After a thrilling game, Portugal earned a 2-1 win and secured the title, nine years after winning their first ever Maurice Revello Tournament in 1992.
The monster Bruno Alves, the globetrotter Helder Postiga
Eight of the twenty members of the winning squad in 2001 became senior internationals. Among them, several famous players like Bruno Alves. Aged 38, the latter is still playing and made his debut under the Seleçao shirt during the Tournament. He has enjoyed a trophy-laden career that led him to play at Porto, Zenit, Fenerbahçe, Cagliari and Glasgow Rangers and allowed him to earn seven national league titles and four national cups. During his career, Alves has especially shone on the international level : he has represented Portugal 96 times and won the Euro 2016 in France.
Alongside to him in defense, José Bosingwa was also part of the winning squad in 2001. The fullback has enjoyed successful spells with two big clubs. Firstly, with Porto where he clinched ten titles in five years including the Champions League 2004 and four league titles. Then, Chelsea where he lifted the Champions League trophy for the second time in 2012 as well as the Premier League trophy in 2010. He has also 27 international caps to his name.
With two goals during the Tournament including one in final against Colombia, Helder Postiga is one of the marquee names of the winning squad in 2001. The forward (71 caps, 27 goals with Portugal) is a traveler. From Porto to Atletico de Kolkata (India) via Tottenham, Saint-Etienne, Panathinaïkos, Sporting Portugal, Valence, La Coruna or la Lazio, Postiga multiplied the stamps on his passport. But also the titles : four-time champion of Portugal with Porto, he has also won the UEFA Cup in 2003 with the Dragões and finished runner-up of the Euro 2004 with his national team.
Bruno Alves, Helder Postiga and José Bosingwa at the Maurice Revello Tournament 2001 with Portugal
Another emblematic player of the winning squad in 2001 : Ricardo Costa. Like Postiga, the centre-back travelled a lot during his career (seven countries and ten different clubs) but this is mainly at Porto (three league titles, UEFA Cup 2003, Champions League 2004) and at Wolfbursg (Bundesliga 2009) where he added several titles to his collection. Meanwhile, he played 22 times for Portugal and took part in both World Cups 2006 and 2010.
Decisive in the Maurice Revello Tournament 2001 semi-finals as he scored against Netherlands, Carlos Martins made a name for himself at Benfica where he won several titles. He has also 17 international caps to his name with the Portugal senior national team.
We can also talk about Luis Lourenço who finished as the Maurice Revello Tournament 2001 top scorer before switching his international allegiance to Angola. At the senior level, he only played for them… once !
Other players like José Kipulo, Bruno Aguiar, José Organista or Luis Miguel Olim have been part of this talented squad. With 30 appearances, Portugal is one of the major nations in the Tournament history. The national team will reappear very soon in this series…
Portugal internationals that played the Maurice Revello Tournament 2001 :
José Filipe da Silva Moreira, José Bosingwa, Bruno Alves, Carlos Martins, Ricardo Costa, Luis Lourenço, Helder Postiga, Jorge Ribeiro
Mathieu Lauricella
The other episodes :
WHERE ARE THEY NOW ? – Colombia’s 2000 Maurice Revello Tournament winners (1/17)
