The Carlsberg Cup is ours!

Benfica won the first season trophy defeating Sporting Clube Portugal on penalty shot.

The game wasn’t as pleasant as expected, but both teams had some good opportunities that made the public who filled Algarve stadium jump.

The goals from Pereirinha and from Reyes, a polemic penalty, made the game into a draw at the end of the 90’. In the Liga Cup games there are no extra time and the penalty in the “lottery” we were luckier.

The referee should not be the center of the attentions after a final of a competition, but some things do not change. The question is: Why don’t they be change?

Joaquim Manuel Sampaio Silva (1975/11/13)

Quim was borm in Vila Nova de Famalicão, on the north of Portugal in 1975.

He played almost eleven years for Sporting Clube de Braga a club located in the Minho region. Quim signed for SL Benfica in 2004, just on time to become champion with Giovanni Trapattoni.

The career of Quim had until know some ups and downs and unfortunately for him, the nets from the Portuguese National Team, as some superstitious persons say, seems to have some negativity.

Some people consider that a good Portuguese football player only is recognized when he plays abroad, in a foreign country. Quim stayed in Portugal playing and we all who love Portuguese football should thank him for that.

Quim is a versatile keeper, that isn’t afraid of jumping to steal the attacker’s balls. Some physical injuries caused some “damage” on his career, but he has a great talent and marveled us with tremendous saves. His presence and agility appear to fill the goal.

Our goalkeeper Joaquim not always was lucky protecting our nets, but one think is for sure he always gave his best for the team.

Liga Sagres: SL Benfica 0-1 Vitória Sport Clube

One benfiquista happy!

SL Benfica had the chance to take the Portuguese League command, but this task proved to be too much heavy to the player’s shoulders. Benfica not only couldn’t reach the first place but also lost the second place to SCP.

The Vitoria de Guimarães coach recognized his sympathy for Benfica, but also recognized he had the dream of winning one day in our stadium. After some defeats against Benfica, this season, Manuel Cajuda’s dream came true.

The public, near 47.000, who dislocated to the “eagles nest” on Saturday, became disappointed with everyone’s work, more then with the result. A strange tension assumed the players, showed on some indecision between the red players on the moment to shot the nets. Normally a team that doesn’t score a goal gives the other team the chance to do it, and that’s just what really happened on this game.

Quique told Urreta to enter the game and he could have changed things, but he wasn’t lucky, although his efforts.

Jonathan Matías Urretaviscaya da Luz (1990/03/19)

Jonathan da Luz, known as Urreta was born in Montevideo, Uruguay. He started playing football in Club Atlético River Plate and there he stayed until his departure to Portugal.

Urreta represents Uruguay, since young kid. When he was 16, went to the 2007 South American U-17 Tournament, to represent his country. There he played very well scoring also important goals. European Clubs began to keep an eye on the young winger and one tried to take him to United Kingdom. Tottenham Hotspur FC invited Urreta to do some tests and stay in the Club but some secretary difficulties occurred and the Uruguayan forward had to return to his homeland.

After excellent contribute to his team on the 2008 Clausura Tounament, SL Benfica managed to sign Urretaviscaya on a five seasons contract.

Urreta is the kind of player who can play without fixed position in the attack. Normally he assumes the wings where his velocity and good cross capacity make more damage on the opposite defenses. A dedicated player, that shots with precision when the chance occurs. Thinks rapidly and opens spaces on the “enemy lines”, making passes that can isolate his companions.

The great exhibitions/performances from Urreta on the last U-20 Fifa’s Tournament consolidated this young player value.

Urreta has the same name “da Luz” as the stadium where he actually plays, and many benfiquistas have many hopes in this genial player.

Liga Sagres: Associação Naval 1º de Maio 1–2 SL Benfica

Another Benfica short victory.

Benfica visited Naval and gained the three points needed. The home team, Naval 1º Maio, usually creates big difficulties playing at home and this time it was not different. Quique and his players turned a controlled game again in tuff position to our team. Why is it so hard to maintain a two goals difference in a game?

Obviously the referee work could be better but we also could have scored more one or two goals.

Miguel Angelo Leonardo Vítor (1989/06/30)

The defense Miguel was born in Torres Vedras. He grew up for football in Benfica and went throw the several young teams. M. Vitor is what we normally call a “product of our school” and he knows what means wearing that red shirt and representing the club. Miguel had the opportunity in Clube Desportivo das Aves to show he deserved a chance among the Benfica players main team.

The young Miguel likes to do his best on every game. His appetence to understand what the coach wants from him makes his entrance on the principal team much easier. The field positioning and the good anticipation to win dangerous balls are also good characteristics.

Miguel Vitor is without any doubt a promissory young football player and we’ll have to know how to secure him. When times demonstrate that good quality players are expensive we can’t allow that so excellent players will be lost.

Liga Sagres: SL Benfica 2–1 Leixões Sport Club

On Friday night game, Benfica had a brilliant victory.

SL Benfica entered the weekend having the possibility to gain points to 3 direct opponents.

The spectators who went to Luz Stadium had the opportunity to feel the strong mentality of the team. Their demonstration of attitude was above the expectations proving that the red shirt was worth to be dressed.

Benfica made a performance on the first half, that the fans had difficulties to remember similar actuation on the recent home games. It is true that our team benefited from an own goal, but it is also true that the score at the end of the first half could represent a bigger difference.

Leixões that didn’t shot once at the Benfica nets, on the first 45 minutes, proved on the second part of the game why their League classification is deserved. Vitor Oliveira and José Mota joined forces to make a strong group and the result is a good team with guts and value. Benfica had tremendous difficulties to guarantee the 3 points but for own responsibility, because the second goal scored by Nuno Gomes could and should have given the control of the game to our team. Of course, there is one important fact, that was, of playing with only ten players for almost 20 minutes, after C. Martins became injured and with no more alterations to be done. Once again Balboa denoted that is with his head on some other project that is, comprehensible although his performance should not compromise being prejudicial to the team.

To the great attitude from the players on the first half of the game, responded the Benfiquista public later. The more than 30 000 gave the support the team needed in the crucial moments.

Javier Ángel Balboa Osa (1985-05-13)

Javier Osa the benfica’s player known by is middle name Balboa, was born in the Spain Capital, Madrid in 1985. He also belongs to Equatorial Guinean and his double nationality allows him to play for them.
His first appearance representing the Equatorial Guinean was on 2 June 2007, in a 2-0 loss against Rwanda.

Balboa grew up for football in Real Madrid FC and there he evolutes playing in the different Real teams. From 2004 until 2008 he played in almost 70 games for Real Madrid teams C, B and main team. In between he played for Racing Santander team for one year.

Balboa is the traditional player that can be useful in both sides of the attack. He is the typical winger who stays long periods of the game away from it. This kind of player who seems to be thinking in something else during the match can be very irritating to the fans or to the coach when things aren’t going well. On the other side, Balboa is the kind of player who can catch the ball and do magic with it. Mixing up quality of the pass, velocity, short and long crosses and we see the best of Balboa. When these moments appear in the game the enthusiasm of the fans grows up and the game becomes more emotive. The opponent teams feel the danger and the game can be decided. Unfortunately he can disappear from the game so quickly has he appeared. Being more mature will help him to understand what the team and the coach need from him.

This fabulous young player has a so great potential that it’s a crime to throw it away.