Night owl fans are a hoot for Portugal

MARCOUSSIS: Euro semifinalists Portugal have been inspired by night owl supporters who wait outside their training camp for a glimpse of the players, even in the

MARCOUSSIS: Euro semifinalists Portugal have been inspired by night owl supporters who wait outside their training camp for a glimpse of the players, even in the small hours of the morning. Midfielder Andre Gomes said they were routinely greeted by dozens of fans when they returned in the middle of the night from matches to their base in the village of Marcoussis outside Paris. “We get here at three, four or five o’clock in the morning and there are countless Portuguese here to support us, to see us arrive and give us some words of support,” he told reporters. “They spend hours and hours outside, singing and calling our names and I want to thank them for their support. It gives us a huge advantage to receive so much support, even outside Portugal.” Fans wait at the gates even when there is no indication that the team is going to come out. There were jubilant scenes on Sunday when the players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, emerged to sign autographs and take selfies with supporters.

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