Portugal man cycles to Poland to show Euro 2012 support

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Cristiano Ronaldo signs autographs for Portugal fans in Poland (5 June)
Image caption,

Many Portugal fans have travelled to Poland but not on two wheels

A Portuguese man has cycled some 3,600km (2,240 miles) to show his support for his national team in the Euro 2012 football championship.

Jorge Franco set out from Palmela, near Lisbon, seven weeks ago.

He has now arrived in Opalenica, Poland, where Portugal's team are based for the tournament, say local media.

Portugal play their opening match against Germany in Lviv, Ukraine on Saturday - but it is unclear whether Mr Franco intends to cycle there.

The team will also face fellow Group B members Denmark and the Netherlands.

Portugal's chances of making a splash in Euro 2012 appear somewhat doubtful, say commentators.

The team struggled to qualify, succeeding only through the play-offs.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the team's star player, but expecting him to carry the team to victory is heaping a lot of pressure on one man's shoulders, they say.

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