Portugal

Argentina's Lionel Messi continued his World Cup dual with Neymar by scoring twice in a 3-2 win over Nigeria while Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri got in on the act with a magnificent hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Honduras on June 25.

Portugal's Helena Costa said on Tuesday she had decided against taking up the coaching position at French side Clermont for "purely personal" reasons.
      
The 36-year-old Costa made global headlines as the first woman to take charge of a men's professional team in a leading European nation after being named in May to coach Clermont, who play in France's second tier.

BELGRADE - The short story festival Kikinda Short 09 will take place in five cities and three countries from July 2 to 5, and gather 20 authors from 14 countries who will read their stories to the audiences in Kikinda, Szeged, Timisoara, Zrenjanin and Belgrade, announced the festival organizer, Kikinda Short association.

Portugal snatched a dramatic equaliser deep into injury time to force a 2-2 draw with the United States and keep their World Cup hopes flickering on June 22.

Varela headed in a cross from Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus to grab a vital point.

NOVI SAD - The traditional wine festival Interfest has opened at the central city square in Novi Sad bringing together renowned wine makers from nine countries and a few hundred wine brands.

Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles has shown his newest tattoo, featuring the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, during a recent training for his team’s upcoming game at the World Cup in Brazil.

The former Chelsea and Liverpool player now calls Turkey his home, as he plays for Turkish football giants Fenerbahçe. 

By Nikos Konstandaras

Bulgaria registered in 2013 levels of consumption equaling 50% of the EU's average values, Eurostat data has shown.

Actual individual consumption (AIC) was the lowest in Bulgaria, which is closely followed by Romania, while Luxembourg topped the ranking with 38% above the medium rate, data from the EU's statistical body cited by the Daily Luxemburger Wort reveals.

The residents of Denmark, Germany and Portugal can afford to buy a new home for 2.1 – 3 years with an average gross income, according to a recent Deloitte survey.

In Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain and Austria residential property is also relatively affordable, and costs the average gross income for 3.6 to 5.6 years.

By Vangelis Mandravelis

The improvement in the Greek economy is highlighted by the revival of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the local business sector: According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), there were 15 M&A transactions in Greece last year, with a total value of 3.3 billion euros.