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.