Upcoming Fixtures and Recent Results
Thursday 21 August 2008 - 10:35:56
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Benfica athletes in Olympic glory |
Nélson Évora claimed a gold title for the men's triple jump in the Beijing Olympics with a great result of 17.67m. The Benfica athlete beat Great Britain's Phillips Idowu's 17.62m jump and brought Portugal's first gold medal this summer.
Vanessa Fernandes, another Benfica athlete, won the silver in the women's triathlon for Portugal's first medal of the 2008 competitions last Monday.
Vanessa Fernandes, another Benfica athlete, won the silver in the women's triathlon for Portugal's first medal of the 2008 competitions last Monday.
Comments: 0
Posted by inMotion_SLB |
Wednesday 20 August 2008 - 09:03:45
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Di María sparks interest in Europe |
Benfica have apparently refused a lucrative offer from an English club for midfielder Angel Di María. The €20m value was not enough for Benfica to let the Argentine starlet move away from Lisbon as his current release fee clause is set to €30m.
Italian and Spanish clubs have also been following the youngster's great performances at the Beijing Olympics in China and have inquired for a possible transfer.
With the transfer window coming to a close at the end of the month there is still a possibility of improved offers for Di María, who has relentlessly impressed since the u-20 World Cup in 2007.
Italian and Spanish clubs have also been following the youngster's great performances at the Beijing Olympics in China and have inquired for a possible transfer.
With the transfer window coming to a close at the end of the month there is still a possibility of improved offers for Di María, who has relentlessly impressed since the u-20 World Cup in 2007.
Comments: 2
Posted by inMotion_SLB |
Tuesday 19 August 2008 - 11:30:16
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Di María in Olympic final |
Argentina beat rivals Brazil 3-0 in the semi final of men's football in Beijing to book a place in the final with Nigeria, who thrashed Belgium 4-1.
Benfica's Di María helped to break the deadlock when his powerful cross was chested in by Sergio Aguero from 6 yards.
Argentina have now guaranteed a silver medal, and Di María has the chance to win gold on Saturday 23rd August.
> Also read:
Di María key in Argentina win
Benfica's Di María helped to break the deadlock when his powerful cross was chested in by Sergio Aguero from 6 yards.
Argentina have now guaranteed a silver medal, and Di María has the chance to win gold on Saturday 23rd August.
> Also read:
Di María key in Argentina win
Comments: 1
Posted by inMotion_SLB |
Saturday 16 August 2008 - 11:55:33
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Matchday Programme launched |
Benfica have launched a new product for members and fans called Matchday Programme, which is already a popular service for most clubs in top European leagues.
The official website states that the programme will include notes from the president, manager and the captain from a first person perspective, alongside exclusive interviews, match statistics, opponent information and much more.
The magazine will be available to purchase on home match days for €2.50 or you can subscribe online from slbenfica.pt (15 editions delivered at home for €27, exclusive to members, and €32 for non-members). If you subscribe to this service later on the season, you will be entitled to all the previous editions too.
For more information (Portuguese only) or subscription click here.
Although foreign fans may be excited by these news, unfortunately it is only available for delivery in Portugal, Madeira and Açores.
The official website states that the programme will include notes from the president, manager and the captain from a first person perspective, alongside exclusive interviews, match statistics, opponent information and much more.
The magazine will be available to purchase on home match days for €2.50 or you can subscribe online from slbenfica.pt (15 editions delivered at home for €27, exclusive to members, and €32 for non-members). If you subscribe to this service later on the season, you will be entitled to all the previous editions too.
For more information (Portuguese only) or subscription click here.
Although foreign fans may be excited by these news, unfortunately it is only available for delivery in Portugal, Madeira and Açores.
Comments: 0
Posted by inMotion_SLB |
Friday 15 August 2008 - 21:02:11
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Post Match Views: Benfica 0 - 0 Inter Milan |
The first Eusébio Cup tournament may have gone to the visitors, but Quique was satisfied with the display from his men and praised the team attitude and aggression.
"We are gradually improving and creating a team. We are much better than at the start of pre-season and much more competitive, we are an aggressive team in a positive way."
"The game was tightly fought individually and collectively, which was good for the team. We faced some difficulties against Inter as expected, but I'm satisfied with what the players provided. I hope we start the season playing with intelligence and competitiveness."
Eusébio
The honoured legend Eusébio felt the party atmosphere was the most important but would have liked to see the trophy stay home.
"The occasion was important. I would have liked to have seen Benfica win but it wasn't to be. Penalties are always down to luck."
Maxi Pereira
Uruguayan right-back believes Benfica are growing in confidence and have the conditions to play a great season.
"It was a good test, pity we didn't win the game. The team is gaining in confidence and hopefully the season goes well for us."
David Luiz
The young centre-back returned from a long injury spell and was given just over 20 minutes to make his season debut. The Brazilian was happy to be playing without feeling any pain.
"It's always good to play without having any pain."
"As always our objective is to win. We know we made mistakes last season and we're now committed to learn from them so we can get stronger day by day."
"We are gradually improving and creating a team. We are much better than at the start of pre-season and much more competitive, we are an aggressive team in a positive way."
"The game was tightly fought individually and collectively, which was good for the team. We faced some difficulties against Inter as expected, but I'm satisfied with what the players provided. I hope we start the season playing with intelligence and competitiveness."
Eusébio
The honoured legend Eusébio felt the party atmosphere was the most important but would have liked to see the trophy stay home.
"The occasion was important. I would have liked to have seen Benfica win but it wasn't to be. Penalties are always down to luck."
Maxi Pereira
Uruguayan right-back believes Benfica are growing in confidence and have the conditions to play a great season.
"It was a good test, pity we didn't win the game. The team is gaining in confidence and hopefully the season goes well for us."
David Luiz
The young centre-back returned from a long injury spell and was given just over 20 minutes to make his season debut. The Brazilian was happy to be playing without feeling any pain.
"It's always good to play without having any pain."
"As always our objective is to win. We know we made mistakes last season and we're now committed to learn from them so we can get stronger day by day."
Comments: 0
Posted by inMotion_SLB |
Friday 15 August 2008 - 07:32:32
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Report: SL Benfica 0 - 0 Inter Milan (p. 4:5) |
Inter Milan won the Eusébio Cup on penalties after a stalemate in normal time where both teams had enough chances which they could not convert.
Cardozo had an early shot on goal as Benfica began the Eusébio Cup on the front foot. Pablo Aimar pressured Cambiasso in defence and left the ball for the Paraguayan to shoot just wide of Julio César's goal.
Visitors Inter Milan gradually settled and were showing glimpses of their elite experience as the Italian Champions. Figo had the chance to put the them ahead but shot straight at the figure of Quim, who held the ball comfortably.
At the quarter mark Cardozo hit the post with a left-foot volley after a great pass from Léo who received a ball from Ruben Amorim in the opposite flank.
Substitutions in the second half slowed the pace of the game as both teams looked to break the opposition down. Quim, who will now defend the Portugal goal, made key saves to deny the Italians a goal, and kept Benfica in the game until penalties.
Inter were the lucky side during the lottery shootout as Fellipe Bastos and Nélson failed to hit the target, whilst Ibrahimovic made a total hash of his.
Penalties: Pablo Aimar (1-0); Maxwell (1-1); Fellipe Bastos (x); Bolatelli (1-2); Reyes (2-2); Stankovic (2-3); Nuno Gomes (3-3); Ibrahimovic (x); David Luiz (4-3); Burdisso (4-4); Nélson (x); Cambiasso (4-5)
Note: Liga Sagres will begin next weekend as Benfica travel to newly promoted side Rio Ave looking for their first three pointer. Stay with PlanetBenfica along the week for all the preparations and breaking news.
Date: Friday 15th August 2008 - 19:45 GMT
Venue: Estádio da Luz, Lisboa
Referee: Bruno Paixão (Setúbal)
Assistant Referees: Rodrigo Pereira, Paulo Campos, Nuno Santos
Attendance: 54.017
Weather: Sunny/Clear ~27 ºC
TV: SIC (Channel 3)
BENFICA - Quim, Maxi Pereira ( Nélson 68'), Luisão (c), Katsouranis ( Binya 85'), Léo, Ruben Amorim (Balboa 45'), Carlos Martins ( David Luiz 67'), Yebda (Fellipe Bastos 80'), Pablo Aimar, Urreta ( Reyes 45') and Cardozo ( Nuno Gomes 68')
Subs: Moreira, Moretto, Edcarlos, David Luiz, Sidnei, Nélson, Jorge Ribeiro, Binya, Fellipe Bastos, Balboa, Miguel Vítor, Reyes, Nuno Gomes, Mantorras and Makukula
Coach: Quique Flores
INTER - Julio César, Maicon, Burdisso, Cambiasso, Maxwell, Zanetti (c) , Figo (Balotelli 75'), Stankovic, Muntari (Jimenez 61'), Mancini (Pelé 79) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Subs: Toldo, Orlandoni , Luis Jiminez, David Suazo, Pelé, Francesco Bolzoni, Davide Santon, Balotelli and Crespo
Coach: José Mourinho
Goals: -
Disciplinary action: Yellow card to Stankovic (23'), Léo (86'), Pelé (86')
Highlights: - Watch penalty highlights here
Cardozo had an early shot on goal as Benfica began the Eusébio Cup on the front foot. Pablo Aimar pressured Cambiasso in defence and left the ball for the Paraguayan to shoot just wide of Julio César's goal.
Visitors Inter Milan gradually settled and were showing glimpses of their elite experience as the Italian Champions. Figo had the chance to put the them ahead but shot straight at the figure of Quim, who held the ball comfortably.
At the quarter mark Cardozo hit the post with a left-foot volley after a great pass from Léo who received a ball from Ruben Amorim in the opposite flank.
Substitutions in the second half slowed the pace of the game as both teams looked to break the opposition down. Quim, who will now defend the Portugal goal, made key saves to deny the Italians a goal, and kept Benfica in the game until penalties.
Inter were the lucky side during the lottery shootout as Fellipe Bastos and Nélson failed to hit the target, whilst Ibrahimovic made a total hash of his.
Penalties: Pablo Aimar (1-0); Maxwell (1-1); Fellipe Bastos (x); Bolatelli (1-2); Reyes (2-2); Stankovic (2-3); Nuno Gomes (3-3); Ibrahimovic (x); David Luiz (4-3); Burdisso (4-4); Nélson (x); Cambiasso (4-5)
Note: Liga Sagres will begin next weekend as Benfica travel to newly promoted side Rio Ave looking for their first three pointer. Stay with PlanetBenfica along the week for all the preparations and breaking news.
Date: Friday 15th August 2008 - 19:45 GMT
Venue: Estádio da Luz, Lisboa
Referee: Bruno Paixão (Setúbal)
Assistant Referees: Rodrigo Pereira, Paulo Campos, Nuno Santos
Attendance: 54.017
Weather: Sunny/Clear ~27 ºC
TV: SIC (Channel 3)
BENFICA - Quim, Maxi Pereira ( Nélson 68'), Luisão (c), Katsouranis ( Binya 85'), Léo, Ruben Amorim (Balboa 45'), Carlos Martins ( David Luiz 67'), Yebda (Fellipe Bastos 80'), Pablo Aimar, Urreta ( Reyes 45') and Cardozo ( Nuno Gomes 68')
Subs: Moreira, Moretto, Edcarlos, David Luiz, Sidnei, Nélson, Jorge Ribeiro, Binya, Fellipe Bastos, Balboa, Miguel Vítor, Reyes, Nuno Gomes, Mantorras and Makukula
Coach: Quique Flores
INTER - Julio César, Maicon, Burdisso, Cambiasso, Maxwell, Zanetti (c) , Figo (Balotelli 75'), Stankovic, Muntari (Jimenez 61'), Mancini (Pelé 79) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Subs: Toldo, Orlandoni , Luis Jiminez, David Suazo, Pelé, Francesco Bolzoni, Davide Santon, Balotelli and Crespo
Coach: José Mourinho
Goals: -
Disciplinary action: Yellow card to Stankovic (23'), Léo (86'), Pelé (86')
Highlights: - Watch penalty highlights here
Comments: 3
Posted by inMotion_SLB |
Friday 15 August 2008 - 07:12:52
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3 Benfica players in Portugal squad |
New Portuguese boss Carlos Queirós listed his 22-man squad to face the Faroe Islands on 20th August in a friendly.
Three Benfica players - Nuno Gomes, Carlos Martins and Quim - have been called up by the former Manchester United assistant manager. Queirós left out Scolari favourite Ricardo away from goalkeeping duties and it is assumed the Benfica shot stopper will take the position.
Cristiano Ronaldo, injured, and Quaresma, by choice, have also been left out.
Benfica is the Portuguese club with the highest number of representatives in the «Selecção» (3), whilst English club Chelsea currently have 4 Portuguese Internationals.
GK: Quim (Benfica, POR), Eduardo (Sp. Braga, POR) and Daniel Fernandes (Bochum, GER);
D: Bosingwa (Chelsea, ENG), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea, ENG), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea, ENG), Bruno Alves (FC Porto, POR), Fernando Meira (Galatasaray, TUR), Pepe (Real Madrid, SPA), Antunes (Lecce, ITA) and Miguel (Valência, SPA);
M: Deco (Chelsea, ENG), Raúl Meireles (FC Porto, POR), Duda (Málaga, SPA), Carlos Martins (Benfica, POR), João Moutinho (Sporting, POR), Manuel Fernandes (Valência, SPA); Simão (Atlético Madrid, SPA), Nani (Manchester United, ENG) and Danny (Dínamo de Moscovo, RUS);
F: Nuno Gomes (Benfica, POR) and Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen, GER).
Three Benfica players - Nuno Gomes, Carlos Martins and Quim - have been called up by the former Manchester United assistant manager. Queirós left out Scolari favourite Ricardo away from goalkeeping duties and it is assumed the Benfica shot stopper will take the position.
Cristiano Ronaldo, injured, and Quaresma, by choice, have also been left out.
Benfica is the Portuguese club with the highest number of representatives in the «Selecção» (3), whilst English club Chelsea currently have 4 Portuguese Internationals.
GK: Quim (Benfica, POR), Eduardo (Sp. Braga, POR) and Daniel Fernandes (Bochum, GER);
D: Bosingwa (Chelsea, ENG), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea, ENG), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea, ENG), Bruno Alves (FC Porto, POR), Fernando Meira (Galatasaray, TUR), Pepe (Real Madrid, SPA), Antunes (Lecce, ITA) and Miguel (Valência, SPA);
M: Deco (Chelsea, ENG), Raúl Meireles (FC Porto, POR), Duda (Málaga, SPA), Carlos Martins (Benfica, POR), João Moutinho (Sporting, POR), Manuel Fernandes (Valência, SPA); Simão (Atlético Madrid, SPA), Nani (Manchester United, ENG) and Danny (Dínamo de Moscovo, RUS);
F: Nuno Gomes (Benfica, POR) and Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen, GER).
Comments: 1
Posted by inMotion_SLB |
Wednesday 13 August 2008 - 14:57:16
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Benfica acquire full Di María rights |
Benfica have paid the remaining 20% of Ángel Di María's transfer fee for €2m to acquire the full rights of the Argentine.
The ex-Rosario Central player is now binded with Benfica until 2012 with a release fee clause set at €30m. The first 80% cost Benfica €6m at the start of the 2007/08 season. The club have issued an official statement about this matter on their official website.
Di María won the u-20 World Cup with Argentina and is currently representing his country at the Beijing Olympics 2008.
Beijing 2008
The Argentine has been following Benfica's pre-season progress closely, and hopes to have a chance of playing first team football when he is back in Lisbon.
"I don't think I have a disadvantage and was in the same situation at the under 20's World Cup last year. I was a substitute in the first 2 games in the Olympics group stage and made the first team today. I just have to keep working hard to be first choice in Benfica too."
"I have been keeping in touch with David Luíz and Maxi Pereira, who inform me about the progress at the club. I am really happy they are working well. Reyes and Aimar are great players, hopefully we can have a good season."
The ex-Rosario Central player is now binded with Benfica until 2012 with a release fee clause set at €30m. The first 80% cost Benfica €6m at the start of the 2007/08 season. The club have issued an official statement about this matter on their official website.
Di María won the u-20 World Cup with Argentina and is currently representing his country at the Beijing Olympics 2008.
Beijing 2008
The Argentine has been following Benfica's pre-season progress closely, and hopes to have a chance of playing first team football when he is back in Lisbon.
"I don't think I have a disadvantage and was in the same situation at the under 20's World Cup last year. I was a substitute in the first 2 games in the Olympics group stage and made the first team today. I just have to keep working hard to be first choice in Benfica too."
"I have been keeping in touch with David Luíz and Maxi Pereira, who inform me about the progress at the club. I am really happy they are working well. Reyes and Aimar are great players, hopefully we can have a good season."
Comments: 1
Posted by inMotion_SLB |
Wednesday 13 August 2008 - 10:40:23
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Daviz Luiz fully recovered |
David Luiz trained yesterday without any limitations and it all indicates that the Brazilian is now fully recovered from the injury he suffered last season.
The defender partnered with Luisão at the end of 2006/07 calendar, but a pre-season injury last year kept him out for most of the campaign, making Katsouranis drop from defensive midfield to a more central defender role.
The youngster still needs to gain match fitness before Quique can opt to play him, and he may earn few minutes in the Eusébio Cup against Inter Milan this Friday.
In other news, Makukula and Yebda have returned to training after they spent the last couple of days working in the gym, where Mantorras still continues.
> Also read:
David Luiz in road to recovery
The defender partnered with Luisão at the end of 2006/07 calendar, but a pre-season injury last year kept him out for most of the campaign, making Katsouranis drop from defensive midfield to a more central defender role.
The youngster still needs to gain match fitness before Quique can opt to play him, and he may earn few minutes in the Eusébio Cup against Inter Milan this Friday.
In other news, Makukula and Yebda have returned to training after they spent the last couple of days working in the gym, where Mantorras still continues.
> Also read:
David Luiz in road to recovery
Comments: 0
Posted by inMotion_SLB |
Wednesday 13 August 2008 - 10:15:04
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Óscar Cardozo confident |
Striker Cardozo believes Benfica can rise to the challenge and win the Liga this season in expense of rivals Sporting and Porto.
"It's true that Benfica is much stronger now. We have a good set of staff and players to attack the national title. We have to work hard and only think about Benfica, this way it will be ours."
Last season's top scorer is relishing the prospect of facing Inter Milan in the Eusébio Cup and see where his team rank against the Italian champions.
"I hope it's a good game. It will be good to see at what level Benfica are on."
> Also read:
Eusébio Cup 2008
"It's true that Benfica is much stronger now. We have a good set of staff and players to attack the national title. We have to work hard and only think about Benfica, this way it will be ours."
Last season's top scorer is relishing the prospect of facing Inter Milan in the Eusébio Cup and see where his team rank against the Italian champions.
"I hope it's a good game. It will be good to see at what level Benfica are on."
> Also read:
Eusébio Cup 2008
Comments: 1
Posted by inMotion_SLB |
Search News by Categories
| » | Nani shines as new-look Portugal overrun Faeroe Islands
Portugal 5-0 Faeroe Islands |
| » | Pablo Aimar excited ahead of official Benfica debut
Argentine showers praise on teammates Reyes and Di Maria |
| » | Manuel Cajuda calls for calm ahead of season opener
Guimaraes coach attempts to douse high expectations |
| » | Queiroz: “Nobody has a reserved place in the squad”
New Portugal coach to hand Ronaldo striker role |
| » | Benfica to swoop for Inter's Suazo?
Honduran seen as alternative to Luis Garcia |
