While the national team could only draw 1-1 in Denmark to further dent their chances of making the World Cup Finals in South Africa next year it was their younger compatriots who were showing them how to score goals.
Olhanense’s Castro, Ukra & goalkeeper Ventura were in the starting line-up as Portugal opened their Under 21 European Championship campaign against Lithuania. ‘Man-of-the-Match’ Ukra gave Portugal a dream start when his 30 metres free-kick flew into the net off the underside of the bar. A mistake by Ventura, who otherwise had a solid game, allowed the visitors to draw level. Further goals from Ukra, Rui Pedro (Gil Vicente) and João Aurélio (Nacional) sealed an emphatic 4-1 win. Portugal are away to Greece and Macedonia in October and then travel to the UK to play England on November 13.
