Football is one of the biggest passions of the Portuguese people. This rings true for people residing in Portugal, but even more so for the ones who live and work abroad, as the sport allows them to remain connected to their beloved country.

The Football Portuguese Federation (FPF) and Samsung Portugal decided to bring them even closer by taking four Portuguese nationals into the pitch during a friendly match of the Portugal national team on March 25, ahead of the UEFA European Football Championship 2016.

All four participants were able to be in the stadium, despite their conflicting work schedules or geographic locations. In fact, some of them were very far from Leiria, where the match took place. One was even in Paris, almost 1,700 kilometres away from all the action.

Samsung Gear VR enabled this entirely new experience, paying great attention to the smallest of details.

The minute the Portuguese players entered the pitch, all four participants also stepped out onto the grass, getting a better view of the action than any of the football fans at the stadium. Samsung broadcast this moment live, breaking the barriers of time and distance.

The most touching moment came when the participants, along with Cristiano Ronaldo and the other stars of the National Team, sang “A Portuguesa,” the Portuguese National Anthem, side by side.

As official sponsor of the Portuguese Football Federation, Samsung powered this special event, proving that “impossible” is not an option when technology is involved. In doing so, the FPF and Samsung were able to bring 11 million Portuguese people closer to the 11 players that will defend the nation’s colors during the UEFA Euro 2016 in France in June.