This summer was set to be a bumper year of sport, but the Olympic Games and the European Championships have fallen victim to the Conoravirus pandemic. The year’s most celebrated and largest football event, Euro 2020, has been postponed until the year 2021.

With tensions and anxiety levels high amongst populations around the entire planet, the question remains: will popular sporting events return in 2020? Or will they follow the lengthy re-scheduling plan of the UEFA governing bodies?

The transcendent essence of the world's game

That illness which we-dare-not-speak-its-name has not yet reached its zenith but already it has claimed a number of victims, football among them. Temporarily – we all hope – but safe to say for those of us devoted followers of the Portuguese game, an abundance of time has unexpectedly become available. A gaping hole has opened in our lives.

Descending into this void, we do what is natural and search out our own unique form of repose.

The improbable story of Benfica’s midfield maestro

What a time it is in Portugal’s football history. It is an era in which we all celebrate the lavishly talented football marvels widely distributed across Europe’s top domestic leagues. That we should all be so blessed!

The conversation rightly meanders its way back to some key names: Ricardo Pereira, Bernardo Silva, and João Félix this season, João Cancelo and Bruno Fernandes last season.

Yet there remains one enigmatic character who has quietly and consistently elevated his performances to such an extent it has become utterly irrational to dispute his place alongside the other great names in Portuguese football today.

Pizzi.

Wry smiles and audible gasps were aplenty at the Euro 2020 draw in Bucharest this afternoon as Portugal were landed in Group F alongside France, Germany and one other team, as yet unknown.

The final opponent awaiting the defending champions will only be known in March and will be one of Iceland, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania*, the winner of that quartet in the playoffs. Portugal will contest their group stage matches in Budapest and Munich.