Sheffield Wednesday: Portugal can win the Euros, says Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal

Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal believes his native Portugal can win the European Championships.
Carlos CarvalhalCarlos Carvalhal
Carlos Carvalhal

Buoyed after a 7-0 friendly win over Estonia last week, Portugal begin their campaign against tournament debutants Iceland in France tonight. Fernando Santos’s side will also face Austria and Hungary in Group F.

Portugal reached the final of the Euros 12 years ago where they were beaten by surprise package Greece.

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In an interview with France Football, Carvalhal said: “Portugal is not a favourite but a candidate.

“We have the best player in the world, a good group, good coaching and support. Portugal is perhaps no better than France, Spain or Germany but is able to beat them.”

Carvalhal enjoyed a superb first season in charge of Wednesday, leading the Hillsborough outfit to the brink of promotion and the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup. They lost to Hull City in the Championship Play-Off final last month but claimed notable scalps in the cup, beating Premier League opposition in Newcastle United and Arsenal.

He admitted: “The Championship is the toughest World Championship.

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“There’s the frequency, intensity matches. Of the 24 teams, 20 are playing uphill. We gave our best in offering the game.

“Sheffield Wednesday was a sleeping giant. We played in front of 25,000 people at home. We have not only won the club’s fans but also lovers of football. Our season has been brilliant.”