Portugal conduct open training session ahead of Euro 2016 final

Just nine hours after returning from Lyon where Portugal qualified for the final of the European Championship for the second time in its history, the Portuguese team returned to training on Thursday in Marcoussis with a training session open for fans to watch.

With the stands crowded the starters from Wednesday's game came out to greet the fans and then did recovery work in the gym, with Pepe absent due to an injury in the tournament quarter match against Poland, reports Efe.

Earlier on Thursday morning, hundreds of Portuguese fans awaited the arrival of their national team to train in Marcoussis, 40 kms from Paris, to celebrate the country's Euro 2016 semi-final win over Wales.

The Portuguese team found a large group of euphoric fans looking forward to their arrival at the training camp at the French national rugby centre in Marcoussis.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored one goal and set up the second on Wednesday as Portugal beat Wales 2-0 to advance to the Euro final.

The loss ended a fairy tale run for Wales who had never before gone so far in an international competition, while 31-year-old Ronaldo can look forward to what might be his last chance to win a trophy with the national side.

Portugal's opponent in their third European final will be the winner of Thursday's clash between tournament host France and reigning World Cup champions Germany.

--IANS

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