The Portugal Olympic football team (also known as Portugal Under-23, Portugal U-23) represents Portugal in international football competitions (final stage and qualifiers) in Olympic Games as well as in under 23 football tournaments. The selection is limited to players under the age of 23, except three overage players. The team is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). In three participations, Portugal’s highest place was fourth (1996). This team also competed in the now-defunct Under-23 European Championship. The first time Portugal participated in the Olympic Football Tournament, they fielded main team players since the International Olympic Committee rules allowed to do so back then and in the 80’s the team was composed by semi-professional players. Currently, the team qualifies in accordance to their under 21 team position in the UEFA Under-21 Championship.
History
1928 Summer Olympics – Amsterdam
Portugal was invited to enter the 1928 Summer Olympics Football Tournament, which was, at that time, contested by the best national “A” teams in the world and, therefore, considered to be the best international footballing tournament until the FIFA World Cup started, two years later, in 1930.
The Portuguese team was drawn in the preliminary round against Chile for a place in the first round. After falling 2-0 behind, Portugal scored 4 goals, winning the game 4-2 in what was their first win away from home soil. After their fantastic win against Chile, they faced off Yugoslavia and won 2-1 thanks to a late goal in the 90th minute.
Egypt was the team that followed in the quarter finals. Here the Portuguese adventure ended after a 2-1 defeat. In the following games, the Egyptians lost against Argentina (6-0) in the semi-final and Italy (11-3) for the bronze medal match, which bittered the players. This was the first tournament the Portugal team had ever competed.
1972 European U-23 qualifiers
Portugal was drawn to Group 5 along with Denmark to play in a two-legged Play-off. After a tie in Lisbon (1-1), the Portuguese lost the return leg in Aalborg (2-1) ending with a 3-2 aggregate result.
1974 European U-23 qualifiers
For the next tournament, Portugal was put in Group 6 with Bulgaria. The Play-off result was 2-1 (0-0 in the first leg in Porto and 2-1 in Pleven) for the Bulgarians.
1976 European U-23 qualifiers
With England and Czechoslovakia in the Group 1, Portugal ended second with 3 points (less 4 than England) coming from a win and a draw against the central Europeans (2-0 in Faro and 1-1 in Teplice). Both games with the British were lost (3-2 in Lisbon and 2-0 in London).
1984 Summer Olympics qualifiers
Portugal was to play in Subgroup A of Group 4 with Israel and West Germany for a place in the second qualifying round. They finished second with 4 points behind the Germans (6 points). After an initial win (3-1 in Lisbon) they lost in Osnabruck (3-0) followed by a 1-0 defeat in Tel-Aviv and a 2-1 win against the Israelis in Lisbon. The team was made up with semi-professional players.
1988 Summer Olympics qualifiers
With strong sides to play with (East Germany, Iceland, Italy and the Netherlands) the Portuguese qualification was seen has merely a dream. With wins against Iceland (2-1 in Leiria and 1-0 in Reykjavik), two away defeats (1-0 in Lecce, Italy and 3-0 in Aue, East Germany) and all other games tied, they ended up in third place with 8 points (5 behind group winners and qualifiers Italy). Again this team was composed with semi-professional players.
1996 Summer Olympics – Atlanta
Portugal participated in the Atlanta Games and after a win over Tunisia (2-0) and 1-1 draws against Argentina and the USA, they ended in second place in Group A with the same points and goal difference as the Argentinians (but with lesser goals scored). Then in the quarter-finals a win over France (2-1) after extra-time assured them a place in the semi-finals. Once again they played against Argentina, but this time the south Americans won 2-0. For the bronze medal match, they faced a strong Brazil full of world stars such as Bebeto, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, Rivaldo among others. Portugal was heavily defeated by 5-0. This participation remains to this day as their best ever ending with the fourth place.
2004 Summer Olympics – Athens
In the 2004 Games, the Portuguese were seen as major contenders for Olympic gold, but they didn't made past the group stage. This disapointing performance started with a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Iraq. The second game ended in a 2-1 win over Morroco and in the third game, Portugal were once again defeated 4-2 by a inferior team (Costa Rica). The team was accused of wanting out of the tournament due to their repective club's pressure.
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