SL BENFICA latest news -Uefa Cup bound - Page 5 - TalkSoccer.net

**Frank Cunha** · 30-08-2003, 09:46 PM

Benfica use the money to pay IRS

**Frank Cunha** · 02-09-2003, 05:24 PM

Benfica signed two U17 world cup players
Benfica signed two U17 World Cup players
LD Tiago Gomes and striker Manuel Curto signed with Benfica for the next two years, they will be playing with the Junior team but they will be times they will be on the senior roster.
U19 John Pereira who played against Boavista and Guimaraes his also working on a long term contract.
I believe
Manuel Curto scored a hattrick against Cameroon and another goal.

Tiago Gomes e Curto assinam por dois anos
A. P.

Os responsáveis encarnados estão a apostar no sector de formação e, como O JOGO noticiou, definiram como prioritárias as renovações contratuais de alguns jovens que estão a despontar, entre eles o lateral-esquerdo Tiago Gomes, o ponta-de-lança Manuel Curto e o lateral-direito João Pereira. Da intenção, a SAD passou à prática e encetou negociações com os atletas e seus representantes, tendo visto dois casos já resultar em acordo.

Tiago Gomes e Manuel Curto rubricaram um contrato de formação válido por dois anos, tendo ficado definido que ambos continuarão a alinhar pela equipa de juniores, podendo pontualmente ser chamados à formação principal, como já aconteceu com o defesa-esquerdo. Os dois jogadores, recorde-se, actuaram recentemente pela Selecção Nacional de Sub-17 no Mundial da categoria realizado na Finlândia.

A situação de João Pereira também está em discussão entre os dirigentes da SAD e o empresário do futebolista, José Veiga, mas o acordo ainda não foi alcançado, principalmente porque neste caso está a ser negociada a renovação de um contrato já de profissional. Relembre-se que o jovem lateral-direito já foi esta época utilizado por Camacho (adaptado a extremo) e o seu vínculo expira no fim da temporada.

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**Frank Cunha** · 08-09-2003, 01:10 AM

Slovenia see path to Euro finals again

LJUBLJANA, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Playoff specialists Slovenia believe they are in with a good chance of reaching their third successive major tournament.

"Bojan Prasnikar takes the path of (Srecko) Katanec," ran a headline in the daily NeDelo on Sunday after Slovenia beat Israel 3-1 in the fight for second place in Euro 2004 qualifying Group One.

Katanec steered Slovenia to the Euro 2000 tournament in Belgium and the Netherlands before taking them to the World Cup finals two years later in South Korea and Japan.

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In both cases, the Slovenians qualified through a playoff for qualifying group runners-up.

Slovenia are second in a group dominated by defending champions France -- who have a maximum 18 points -- with 13 points from six matches and lead third-placed Israel by five points with two games to go.

Should they beat either France on Wednesday or, more likely, Cyprus in October, they will secure a playoff berth along with the runners-up from the nine other groups.

"Bojan Prasnikar is therefore completely on the path that Katanec set up before him," said NeDelo.

Although their game was not sparkling, Slovenia had a lethal weapon in midfielder Zlatko Zahovic, who set up his side's three goals -- two from free kicks.

Slovenia also managed to keep calm when tempers flared and Israel had two players sent off in the last five minutes.

**Frank Cunha** · 12-09-2003, 07:57 PM

Mantorras Aims For October Return
Latest News | News Archive

Mantorras has huge potential
09/10/2003. Benfica's Angolan striker Pedro Mantorras is set to return to full training in October.

Despite the doubts many have critics have over his speedy recovery, Mantorras has stated his intent to return in the fall.

"The knee feels better, I'm working out real hard and by October I should be back with Benfica. What others say does not bother me, I feel great and I will reflect this on the pitch," he told the Portuguese media.

The explosive striker was badly missed by Benfica down the stretch of last season. His absence was citied by many as the sole reason for Benfica missing out on the Champions League.

"The New Eusebio" began turning heads in 2000/2001 with Alverca where he scored 9 goals and 26 Super League appearances. He immediately caught the attention of Juventus and Barcelona, but they were beaten to the player by Benfica due to the Lisbon side's affiliation with Alverca.

Mantorras made an immediate impact on Benfica netting 13 goals in 30 appearances while bringing fans to their feet with his dazzling dribbling displays. But a severe knee injury at the start of Benfica's 02/03 campaign forced Mantorras to miss out on the first half of the season. A rushed return only made matters worse as he re-injured his knee and placed his playing career in jeopardy. He made 8 appearances in 2002/2003 mostly off the bench and scored 3 goals. Mantorras opted for surgery to repair his severely damaged knee and many in Portugal have questioned whether or not he will ever be the same player again.

"Many people believed I would never play again. But I've always believed in myself and my abilities, and I will be back in October."
Daniel Fernandes

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Bentex · 12-09-2003, 11:46 PM

I thought he was the african pele?

**Frank Cunha** · 18-09-2003, 09:02 PM

SL Benfica wants to spoil the party
http://www.uefa.com/footballcentral...sId=105597.html

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**Frank Cunha** · 18-09-2003, 09:04 PM

Benfica seeking to spoil party
Thursday, 18 September 2003
By Rui Matos Pereira

Benfica's Simão Sabrosa hopes to be back on Sunday

Sunday's game between FC Porto and SL Benfica marks the Lisbon side's final visit to the Antas stadium. However, while there may be a moment of reflection for some supporters before kick-off, this match is one that both sides will be desperate to win.

New stadium
With the Dragão stadium, which will host the opening game of UEFA EURO 2004™ on 12 June next year, due to be inaugurated in November 2003, Benfica will be the last big Lisbon club to visit the Antas stadium, which has been Porto's home for 51 years.

Unceremonious thrashing
Benfica will be eager to avoid the fate of their local rivals, Sporting Clube de Portugal, who received an unceremonious 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Porto - still smarting from their 1-0 defeat against AC Milan in the UEFA Super Cup - in their last game at the Antas on 2 September.

Famous night
The Antas was the venue for one of Porto's most famous victories, a 1-0 win against AFC Ajax on 13 January 1988, which saw the Portuguese side triumph in the Super Cup, having won the European Champion Clubs' Cup with a 2-1 win against FC Bayern München in Vienna on 27 May 1987.

Benfica dream
Arguably, the side who need a win most on Sunday are Benfica. After conceding two late goals to draw 3-3 with Lisbon neighbours CF Os Belenenses in their last SuperLiga game, José Antonio Camacho's side slipped to tenth in the table, five points adrift of second-placed Porto.

Perfect opportunity
Having not won at the Antas for 12 seasons, it would be the perfect opportunity for Benfica to shine, and a massive confidence boost ahead of their opening UEFA Cup fixture against Belgium's RAA Louvièroise next week.

Long wait
After losing out against S.S. Lazio in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, a good UEFA Cup run would be some consolation for Benfica who have been off the pace in the Portuguese title race since they last took the crown at the end of the 1993/94 season.

Inspired form
Winger Simão Sabrosa will return to the team along with the Brazilian Geovanni, as Benfica aim to claw back some ground on Porto, who in turn will be hoping to see inspirational playmaker Deco reproduce some of the form that helped his side win last season's UEFA Cup. Porto will be without Benny McCarthy who is serving the last game of a two match ban for elbowing Sporting's Beto in aerial challenge.

Marítimo top
Second in the table, José Mourinho's side have not been at their best in their first few league games, and trail CS Marítimo who have won all four games so far. A 1-1 draw in their opening Champions League game at FK Partizan should have given them some confidence, but what they need is a result.

Anniversary blues
Both teams will be hoping that, as well as marking a small piece of history for Porto, the match can be a major turning point in their current campaigns. Porto would love to finish the match with Benfica floundering in their wake, while their visitors would love to make the final match against a Lisbon rival at the Antas a landmark that Porto would prefer to forget.

**Frank Cunha** · 19-09-2003, 01:49 AM

Its either AC Milan or Real Madrid
Benfica opener at the new stadium, invitation went up to AC Milan and Real Madrid, Benfica in favor of AC Milan because of ex Benfica Rui Costa.

AC Milan de Rui Costa é o «padrinho» desejado

Ainda não está definido o adversário do Benfica para o jogo de inauguração do novo estádio, mas estão em cima da mesa os nomes mais desejados pelos responsáveis do clube encarnado, por forma a garantir um cartaz apetecível, casa cheia e um espectáculo inesquecível.

Na lista encontram-se os maiores clubes europeus, com dois no topo das preferências: Real Madrid e AC Milan, emblemas que mantêm boas relações com o Benfica. No caso da turma treinada por Carlos Queirós, é a que mais mexe com o público adepto do futebol. Ter os «galácticos» na inauguração seria, sem dúvida, sinónimo de festa rija. O problema é que os «merengues» já se deslocaram à Luz na temporada passada, numa das paragens do campeonato.

O AC Milan, além de ser igualmente um colosso, é o campeão europeu em título e tem nas suas fileiras aquele que é, talvez, o jogador mais idolatrado pelos adeptos benfiquistas, na actualidade: Rui Costa. Esta é, de resto, a opção com maior força. Em qualquer dos casos, tudo dependerá do calendário.

**MUFC** · 20-09-2003, 11:45 PM

Should get manchester united

**Frank Cunha** · 22-09-2003, 12:05 AM

Porto beat Benfica 2-0 to go top in Portugal

LISBON, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Porto went top of the Portuguese premiership on Sunday after a defensive mistake and an own goal by arch rivals Benfica gave the reigning champions a 2-0 home win. Porto opened the scoring on the half hour when Benfica forward Miguel Monteiro intercepted a cross by Maniche Ribeiro but chested it towards his own goal where Brazilian Derlei Silva poked the ball into the net.

Shortly after the break, Porto went 2-0 ahead when a corner by Ricardo Fernandes glanced off the top of Benfica's Brazilian defender Argel Fuks and into the net.

Benfica lost their composure and played the last 12 minutes with 10 men after defender Ricardo Rocha was sent off for a bad tackle on Porto playmaker Deco Souza and then tore off his shirt in anger.

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With five games played, Porto are top on 13 points, ahead of second-placed Maritimo on goal difference. Unfancied Maritimo drew 1-1 at home with third-placed Braga after winning each of their first four games 1-0.

Porto manager Jose Mourinho gave Benfica credit for putting up the toughest opposition he had faced since taking over in January last year.

"Our great merit was knowing how to defend very effectively. We knew Benfica's standard moves and we countered them," said Bobby Robson's former assistant.

"With the exception of Sokota's header, Benfica didn't put us in danger, although they dominated the game for some time and we have to give credit to a team that came here and played neck for neck." Benfica coach Jose Antonio Camacho said his side lacked a cutting edge. "We were unlucky to have given away a goal that went against play. Until then we were in control, had scoring chances and dominated possession, but the goal counted."

**Frank Cunha** · 22-09-2003, 12:06 AM

Porto beat Benfica 2-0 to go top in Portugal

LISBON, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Porto went top of the Portuguese premiership on Sunday after a defensive mistake and an own goal by arch rivals Benfica gave the reigning champions a 2-0 home win. Porto opened the scoring on the half hour when Benfica forward Miguel Monteiro intercepted a cross by Maniche Ribeiro but chested it towards his own goal where Brazilian Derlei Silva poked the ball into the net.

Shortly after the break, Porto went 2-0 ahead when a corner by Ricardo Fernandes glanced off the top of Benfica's Brazilian defender Argel Fuks and into the net.

Benfica lost their composure and played the last 12 minutes with 10 men after defender Ricardo Rocha was sent off for a bad tackle on Porto playmaker Deco Souza and then tore off his shirt in anger.

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With five games played, Porto are top on 13 points, ahead of second-placed Maritimo on goal difference. Unfancied Maritimo drew 1-1 at home with third-placed Braga after winning each of their first four games 1-0.

Porto manager Jose Mourinho gave Benfica credit for putting up the toughest opposition he had faced since taking over in January last year.

"Our great merit was knowing how to defend very effectively. We knew Benfica's standard moves and we countered them," said Bobby Robson's former assistant.

"With the exception of Sokota's header, Benfica didn't put us in danger, although they dominated the game for some time and we have to give credit to a team that came here and played neck for neck." Benfica coach Jose Antonio Camacho said his side lacked a cutting edge. "We were unlucky to have given away a goal that went against play. Until then we were in control, had scoring chances and dominated possession, but the goal counted."

**Frank Cunha** · 22-09-2003, 12:10 AM

Sporting did it, no way Benfica is going to do the same :danc:

Carlo Ramos · 25-09-2003, 04:52 PM

Only because they know that they would get slaughtered!!!!

It would be a great advertisement for Vodafone, the sponsor of both teams.