The day before the match, the pre-match press conference was so crowded that the reporters below the stage could only be described as packed shoulder to shoulder.
Although this was only a European Championship group-stage match, judging from the number of reporters and media outlets present, the level of attention was not much lower than a Champions League final.
In the waiting area for the press conference, Theodore Bjorn saw Cristiano Ronaldo again.
The two had met once before at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
What Theodore did not expect was that Ronaldo would actually take the initiative to greet him.
"Theodore, we meet again," Ronaldo said, extending his right hand first.
"Yes, we meet again. I didn't expect Portugal to be our first group-stage opponent. I hope both of us can have a good performance," Theodore replied politely as he shook Ronaldo's hand.
After all, Ronaldo had once played for Real Madrid. In a sense, he could be considered Theodore's senior.
Ronaldo nodded and replied, "Let's both give it everything."
But in the next second, Ronaldo looked at Theodore with firm eyes and said.
"Portugal will definitely win this match. Theodore, I suggest you and your teammates prepare yourselves for defeat."
Ronaldo was still Ronaldo.
Although he was already thirty-six years old, his desire for victory and championships had not faded at all.
"That's not certain. I think Norway should be the side that wins," Theodore replied calmly.
After Theodore said that, a faint smile appeared on Ronaldo's face.
It seemed as if he thought Theodore was joking with him.
A few minutes later, Ronaldo and Portugal national team head coach Fernando Santos arrived at the press conference.
Veteran coach Santos was extremely confident about the upcoming match.
Facing the dozens of reporters below the stage, he spoke with great certainty.
"Portugal's goal in this European Championship is only one thing, and that is to successfully defend our title. Four years ago—no, it should be five years ago—we once stood at the peak of Europe. Now, many more gifted stars have emerged in Portugal's squad."
Santos paused briefly before continuing.
"So I believe Portugal absolutely have the ability to win the Henri Delaunay Trophy again."
A reporter from Sky Sports was the first to ask Santos a question.
"Mr. Santos, Portugal have been drawn into the group of death. Do you think Portugal have the ability to qualify as group winners? Or will you qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, like in the last European Championship?"
The Sky Sports reporter's question carried a faint mocking tone.
That made Santos very unhappy.
He immediately replied, "Qualifying as group winners is our target in the group stage. Germany and France are indeed strong teams, and they are the winners of the last two World Cups, but Portugal's strength is not weak either. We have many gifted stars in midfield, as well as Ronaldo in the front line."
"Do you think Portugal have the ability to beat Norway, who have Theodore, tomorrow night?" Ma Fanshu, a reporter from the sports channel, also asked Santos.
"Of course. There is no problem," Santos replied. "We will beat Norway. And in order to qualify smoothly as group winners, Portugal will try to score as many goals as possible in tomorrow's match."
From Santos' answer, it was clear that the Portuguese head coach did not take Norway seriously.
In his eyes, Norway were still a weak team.
Santos' answer made Ma Fanshu dissatisfied, so she asked again, "Are you saying Portugal will definitely beat Norway? Please don't forget that Norway's squad also includes talented stars such as Theodore, Ødegaard, and Haaland."
Santos spread his hands and replied in an extremely dismissive tone, "As you said, Norway do indeed have three talented stars. They are first-class players in Europe, especially Theodore. He played a dream season at Real Madrid and won the Ballon d'Or. But what I want to tell you is that Ronaldo has already won five Ballon d'Or awards, and in Portugal's starting lineup, almost every player is a world-class star."
After saying such a long paragraph, pride appeared on Santos' face.
Once Santos finished taking questions, player representative Ronaldo also began speaking.
"I've been looking forward to this European Championship for a long time. Portugal's squad is stronger than it was at the last Euros. We are fully confident that we can successfully defend our title. Tomorrow night, Portugal will start the tournament with a win."
Ronaldo's answer was not as long-winded as Santos'. He simply stated his own goal and the team's goal.
"Cristiano, talk about Theodore. He is now the new Ballon d'Or winner," a Sky Sports reporter said.
"He has performed very well this season," Ronaldo replied. "He helped Madrid win the Champions League. If his country were Portugal, Spain, or England, perhaps he could win the European Championship. But his country is Norway."
Ronaldo's tone remained calm as he continued.
"So this season, Theodore can only win the Champions League trophy. He cannot win the European Championship."
Ronaldo's meaning was very clear.
Although Theodore's individual ability was strong, Norway's overall football level was too poor. In Ronaldo's view, Theodore could not possibly lead Norway to the European Championship title.
...
After Portugal's press conference ended, Norway head coach Lars Lagerbäck and Theodore also appeared at the venue.
After Lagerbäck briefly answered questions about the team's preparations, he gave Theodore the chance to speak.
"Norway's ranking is indeed lower than Portugal's, and also lower than Germany's and France's," Theodore said. "But that does not mean Norway cannot qualify from the group."
He looked at the reporters below the stage and continued calmly.
"I'm looking forward to tomorrow's match. This is my first European Championship, and I promise every Norway fan that I will give everything to help Norway challenge for the title."
After that, many reporters asked Theodore whether Norway could qualify from the group, but Theodore's answers were basically the same as what he had just said.
Seeing that they could not get any more useful information out of him, the reporters eventually gave up asking further questions.
After the press conference ended, Theodore returned to the hotel immediately.
Then Theodore silently opened his system and began claiming his Champions League reward.
After Theodore led Real Madrid to the Champions League title, the system had rewarded him with a Peak Card.
But Theodore had not had time to open it.
Tomorrow, Norway would face Portugal in their opening European Championship match.
To make sure nothing went wrong, Theodore decided to open this Peak Card now.
[Ding! Peak Card has been opened!]
[Congratulations, Host. You have received Neymar's Peak Dribbling & Breakthrough Attributes!]
[Dribbling Ability: 73 → 95]
[Breakthrough Ability: 84 → 94]