Did You Know Interesting Facts and Trivia of 2010 World Cup Soccer Nation Portugal?

While the world is abuzz with soccer fever, and nations from around the globe gather together to experience this momentous event, the FIFA soccer World Cup, take the opportunity to discover amazing fun facts and trivia about South Africa 2010 qualifier Portugal.

About the country:

A global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its status and wealth as a result of three major misfortunes following its heyday. First, Lisbon was almost completely destroyed in a 1755 earthquake, then the country was occupied during the Napoleonic Wars, and finally Portugal lost its wealthiest colony, Brazil, to independence in 1822. Did you know:

• In a Portuguese bullfight, the bull is not killed but brought down by eight men. It is illegal to kill the bull.
• Fado music, played on a Fado guitar, is traditional urban folk music. It is rather melancholy.
• Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the territory of Olivenza based on a difference of interpretation of the 1815 Congress of Vienna and the 1801 Treaty of Badajoz.
• Situated on the outskirts of Lisbon, Estoril Casino is the largest gambling outlet in Europe.
• Portugal was known as Luisitania during the Roman times.
• Established in 1290, the University of Coimbra is one of the oldest universities in Europe.
• The man who discovered the sea route to India, Vasco da Gama, was Portuguese.
• The longest bridge in Europe is the Vasco da Gama Bridge of Lisbon.
• In the First World War Portugal was a British ally.
• Charles II gave the people of Madeira a special right to sell wine to Britain and all her colonies.
• Portuguese is the official language of 9 countries.
• Brazil was discovered by Portuguese Pedro Alvarez Cabral.
• The world's first commercial wave farm to produce electricity, was set up off the coast of Portugal in 2006.
• In 1986, Portugal became a member of the European Union.
• Portugal was founded by Alfonso Henriques, in 1152.
• The Kingdom of Portugal lasted from 1139 to 1910. The country has been a republic since then.
• Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Diaz was the first person to sail round the southern tip of Africa, which he named the Cape of Good Hope.
• In 1522, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan - financed by Spain - was the first to complete a circumnavigation of the world.
• The last king of Portugal, King Manuel II, spent his life in exile in Twickenham on the outskirts of London after being deposed in 1910.
• The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, signed in 1373, is the oldest alliance in the world still in force.

About the team:

A strong team, a Seleccao das Quinas, has displayed some spectacular football in recent years, reaching the semi-finals in the 2006 World Cup in Germany undefeated during the group phase. Did you know:

• Portugal's coach, Carlos Queiroz, was born in Mozambique, a neighboring country of South Africa and was in fact previously the South African team's coach, experience which might still prove invaluable in Portugal's quest to go all the way this time round.
• South Africa 2010 will be Portugal's fifth FIFA World Cup appearance.
• 2008 FIFA World Player Cristiano Ronaldo, although playing a subdued role in qualifying Portugal for the World Cup, is known for his ability to rise to the big occasion and is definitely one man to watch for in South Africa 2010.

For the latest results, photos and news of the World Cup, visit Imagine South Africa.

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