Portugal's Thrilling Debut on Euro2024
Portugal vs. Czech Republic was the most watched broadcast of the year.
Portugal beat Czech Republic 2-1 in their UEFA Euro 2024 debut. The Czech came in front in the second half with an absolute stunner by Lukáš Provod.
But ultimately Portugal capitalised on their multiple opportunities by taking advantage of two Czech defensive errors, including an own goal by Hranac and a late winner by Francisco Conceição.
With this result, Portugal are second in Group F behind Turkey, who beat Georgia 3-1 earlier today.
High TV ratings
The match’s broadcast on Tuesday by SIC, was the most watched program of the year on all televisions.
In a statement, SIC states that the broadcast of the game between Portugal and the Czech Republic reached 61.5% share and 34.6% average audience, which corresponds to more than 3.34 million viewers (3,340.500).
SIC states that it has not achieved such a high result in total every day since June 15, 2021, the day Hungary-Portugal was broadcast for Euro 2020.
Growing Portfolio
Meanwhile, on the eve of the match, Cristiano Ronaldo bought a 10% stake in historic porcelain manufacturer Vista Alegre Atlantis from Grupo Visabeira as the soccer star continues to invest part of his fortune in a range of businesses.
Ronaldo plans to buy 30% of Vista Alegre Spain in the coming days through his company CR7, Vista Alegre said in a regulatory filing late on Friday (Jun 14). Both parties also agreed to create a 50:50 joint venture in the Middle East and Asia to promote the Vista Alegre brand and Bordallo Pinheiro – named for a 19th-century Portuguese artist known for his ceramics designs.
“This collaboration between the two will speed up the process of global brand expansion in the prestige and luxury segment in various international markets, both in retail and premium hospitality,” said Vista Alegre.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner joined Saudi Arabian soccer club Al Nassr in 2022 for a reported annual salary of around US$200 million. The 39-year-old has invested in a range of businesses in recent years as he prepares for life after his sports career.
In 2015, Ronaldo and Portuguese hotel operator Grupo Pestana announced a plan to invest 75 million euros (S$108.8 million) in four boutique hotels with a total of 400 rooms in Portugal, Spain and the US. At the time, the footballer said this was his biggest-ever investment as he prepared for life after soccer.
Vista Alegre, which produces and sells porcelains, ceramic items and crystal glassware, did not disclose the value of Ronaldo’s investment.