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They will win the Cup-Portugal prime minister

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-05-31 10:16

Portugal's prime minister, Jose Socrates, set out to Evora to meet his nation's World Cup squad, telling press that he was certain the national team would win the Cup.

"I am going to give words of encouragement to the team and tell them that they can count on my support and that of all Portugal's people," Socrates said, at a press conference where he showed off a number 12 office soccer strip with his name on it.

Socrates plans to be in Germany on June 11, when Portugal plays its first game in Group D of the Cup, against Angola.

Portugal heads for Luxembourg on Friday to play a friendly game. On Tuesday, the last day of the team's 10 day training schedule, the town of Evora will hold a celebration for the team: painting the city center in the red, green and yellow team colors.

He was accompanied by Gilberto Madail, head of Portugal's football league.