Benfica - Maritimo

[Pila]

Petit is probably out. Nuno may be ready to start, or I'm sure, we'll see Karadas.

Need 3 points here. Anything less with a packed house is uncivilized.

[Razor]

Quim, Miguel, Luisao, Rocha, Dos Santos, Manelele, Petit, Geovanni, Nuno Assis, Simao, Nuno Gomes...

...and it's 3-3 at 51' - What the crap?!

[Aguia]

Had to be Mantorras! :blues:

[Pila]

What a game!!!

They stole a goal from Nuno, but it didn't matter - the Angolan nightmare took care of it.

MOM, Miguel.

Not the best game from our central defenders and Manny, who was Schitzophrenic through out the game. Nuno Assis should have come out sooner, but I'll forgive Trapp for putting in Mantorras ahead of Karadas.

Forca Benfica.

[Flo]

I echo Pila's comments and add a few more...

I don't if this is a sign of a changed Benfica with it's resiliency this year but in the past, they would've packed it in for a draw as result. Nonetheless, after Pena's equalizer in the second half, Benfica continued to relentlessly attack. It finally paid off in true form with none other than Mantorras saving the day.

I don't want to jinx anything (knock on wood) but the team's finally healthy, Mantorras is starting to look the part, and I don't see anyone stopping us through May.

With all that being said, we're still in the hunt for not only the league but also the Taca. Does Trap get the credit? I mean we beat up on this guy enough as it is. Is it because Sporting and Porto haven't been up to snuff this year?

I don't know what it is, but I haven't been this excited watching the Super Liga in years. :o :googly:

Forca Benfica para sempre!!! :clap:

[kingmonkey]

Is it because Sporting and Porto haven't been up to snuff this year?

Hehe.. What do you think..?

I don't know what it is, but I haven't been this excited watching the Super Liga in years. :o :googly:

I know why! It's because you're team is finally going to win it... ;)

10 years later, the self-proclaimed greatest team in Portugal gets it's hands on the league title!

Oh, by the way, nice to see you were finally able to fill the stadium! I guess the '6 milhoes' only come out of the woodwork when the team is winning! :tooth:

[Timmy]

:popup:

Remember the good ol' days, when Porto would win trophies?

Now they get to spend all that money they attained from selling off their players and coach. Any team can win a trophy. But to win one, and the follow that up with zero and a well paid roster. That's something to be jealous of.
:spam:

[Flo]

10 years later, the self-proclaimed greatest team in Portugal gets it's hands on the league title!

Oh, by the way, nice to see you were finally able to fill the stadium! I guess the '6 milhoes' only come out of the woodwork when the team is winning! :tooth:
Self-Proclaimed my ass. We still have more hardware than your fucking lost can ever dream of and way more supporters...

You should worry about the hell's going on up North and seeing what new overhyped, overpaid Brazilian will grace his presence at the Dragao as opposed to worrying about what we're doing. :stuckup: :finger:

[Surge40]

Finally got a chance to get out and see a game. Boy am I glad that this was it.

You have to give Maritimo credit. They are a good team with a well organized counter attack. Now I can see how they beat Sporting 3-0 last month.

The difference in benfica's midfield from last year is night and day. When you get rid of a statue in Zahovic and a practice-defender in Argel, you start to see results.

[Pila]

Night and day, indeed.

How's the business going?

[kingmonkey]

:popup:

Remember the good ol' days, when Porto would win trophies?

Now they get to spend all that money they attained from selling off their players and coach. Any team can win a trophy. But to win one, and the follow that up with zero and a well paid roster. That's something to be jealous of.
:spam:

:D

Ah come on Benfica did it in the early 90's.. Obviously it's not that difficult to pull off..! :D

[RedEagle]

Oh what a game....Probably the best game in Europe this weekend.

Nuno was fantastic in the first half and should have had the hat trick in the second. Right foot, left foot. Giovanni was kool, and Miguel has his wind now. Simao is still not the Simao that carried us in the first half of the season...but all the healthy pieces are gellin'. Manny had a sub par game...caught ball watching too many times, and his passes were sometimes off da mark. Dos Santos also had a solid game as did Petit. Luisao and Rocha didn't do enough with Pena, and Quim let in a very soft 3rd goal.

Trap threw in Mantorras and Karadas in the second half and it paid off with Mantorras rightfully getting the winner to send the stadium into a raucous I hadn't seen in years.

Fantastic 3 points. All that is left is making the last two games meaningless. Sporting played out of their gords over the weekend at Bessa, which means their due for a loss against a third division side this coming weekend.

FORCA BENFICA!

[Timmy]

The team made an effort to fill up the stadium, long overdue on their part, and the fans responded. The dramatic win was a great reward for everyone. They need to jump on this and continue the momentum.

I noticed that the club website now includes English text on the news portion. This is long overdue. They need to include French as well, and have the entire website translated. Barcelona's president has made it a major point to increase the club's membership. This increases revenue and increases the fan's relationship with the club. Benfica should view their site as a portal to do just that.

As for the game itself, some really wonderful finishing from Nuno. Reminded me of his peak days from 5 years ago. The centerbacks did a very poor job of marking Pena. His first goal was well done on his part, but it helps when the defenders are indecisive as to who will cover you. Petit had some really impressive blasts from spot kicks.

Miguel's goal required some luck, but that can happen when you strike a ball well. He has demonstrated marked improvement in his crossing and shooting. I still prefer him at RB, but he is now very capable of playing on the wings if needed.

[Surge40]

Night and day, indeed.

How's the business going?


Things are definitely picking up and pieces are falling into place. I can actually now take a day off and watch a game. :rock3: When do you start your new job?

[Flo]

Things are definitely picking up and pieces are falling into place. I can actually now take a day off and watch a game. :rock3: When do you start your new job?
He started today which why all is quiet on the Forum front. ;)

[Surge40]

Ahh..

That explains it.

[Flo]

For those of you who didn't see the goals from this past weekend, click below and take your pick. :Grint:

http://www.sl-benfica.net/downloads.php?cat_id=1

[Tinto]

Didn't get to see this game, but heard it was a pretty thrilling ending. Much as it hurts to say it, of the big three's overall squalid performances this year, Benfica has done the least to merit losing and has done the most to show anything like consistency. Season's not over yet though.

I noticed that the club website now includes English text on the news portion. This is long overdue. They need to include French as well, and have the entire website translated. Barcelona's president has made it a major point to increase the club's membership. This increases revenue and increases the fan's relationship with the club. Benfica should view their site as a portal to do just that.

Making the site available in multiple languages is a good move, but you don't mean really mean to suggest Benfica has pretentions to marketing itself abroad do you?

[Timmy]

Making the site available in multiple languages is a good move, but you don't mean really mean to suggest Benfica has pretentions to marketing itself abroad do you?

Whether they do or don't is their business, no Portuguese team has impressed me in terms of marketing (Even Porto has floundered in that department). But these clubs have audiences in France, Canada, and the United States that they haven't taken advantage of. The easier the access to the site, the more likely you are to gain a customer. The shirts, scarves, DVD's, etc. aren't on there for show. Start advertising package vacations to Lisbon (Hotel, meals, tickets). Not only do those things make your club money (Yes, there are ways to generate revenue besides selling prospects and pandering to hooligans) , they enhance the socios connection to the club.

I have yet to read a magazine article on ANY Portuguese company and how it is changing it's industry. There is no reason why the Portuguese clubs could not buck the trend.

[Tinto]

I agree Portuguese clubs have the communications skills of that Iraqi, (what was his name?) chief propaganda guy. Sure they need to do a better job. I just meant that capitalizing on a Portuguese audience is one thing, but they're not in the position to go out and conquer foreign markets, like one of the big clubs.

[Timmy]

I agree Portuguese clubs have the communications skills of that Iraqi, (what was his name?) chief propaganda guy. Sure they need to do a better job. I just meant that capitalizing on a Portuguese audience is one thing, but they're not in the position to go out and conquer foreign markets, like one of the big clubs.

I wasn't thinking that. I'm talking about taking advantage of, and building on, a audience that is already there.

[Tinto]

Ok.

They could start by not ripping off online shoppers with inferior quality merchandise. Bought a senhora's Sporting top for my cousin's upcoming b-day and another for my wife. I'll be surprised if they survive two washings. They're so cheap, but with shipping the bill came to $200.00

[Timmy]

Who makes SCP's products?

Everything I've purchased from Addidas (Benfica related or not) has been top notch. The jersey I purchased 5 years ago when I was in Portugal hasn't aged a day. Various Addidas work out clothing has always done me right.

Nike is a little more hit and miss, but they do a good enough job.

[Marco]

Who makes SCP's products?

Everything I've purchased from Addidas (Benfica related or not) has been top notch. The jersey I purchased 5 years ago when I was in Portugal hasn't aged a day. Various Addidas work out clothing has always done me right.

Nike is a little more hit and miss, but they do a good enough job.

you're crazy Timmy! Nike makes the best stuff! They use only the best little kiddies to make their goods! Addidas use the kids Nike won't hire!

[Tinto]

Who makes SCP's products?

I didn't check the label, but the three pieces I bought were not team jerseys or workout wear. Nevertheless they were official licensed products. I bought the two women's tops (E35 each) and a hooded sweater (E47). The latter was supposed to be mine, (I chose an XL) and the sleeves end somewhere above the wrist, while the whole thing is about as thin as a kleenex. My wife's wearing it around the house.

[Timmy]

you're crazy Timmy! Nike makes the best stuff! They use only the best little kiddies to make their goods! Addidas use the kids Nike won't hire!

Rubbish.

Where's the incentive to work when you already have had your ankles broken?

[Marco]

Rubbish.

Where's the incentive to work when you already have had your ankles broken?

Cause you don't want anything else broken.

[Razor]

You're right re: the quality of the Sporting gear Timmy, but I think it's because it's a result of Reebok's crappy supply chain strategy. They manufacture the shirts in Sri Lanka or some such place, ship them to Stoughton, then ship them to a silk screener/embroiderer, then ship them to a distribution center who then ship them to Alvalade. Adidas is run like a German machine and the result is quality products that last. Nike's got the system down pat. SCP would be better off with Umbro as an outfitter.

[Timmy]

You're right re: the quality of the Sporting gear Timmy, but I think it's because it's a result of Reebok's crappy supply chain strategy. They manufacture the shirts in Sri Lanka or some such place, ship them to Stoughton, then ship them to a silk screener/embroiderer, then ship them to a distribution center who then ship them to Alvalade. Adidas is run like a German machine and the result is quality products that last. Nike's got the system down pat. SCP would be better off with Umbro as an outfitter.

100% on your post sir.

Reebok sucks. Oh my God, do they suck. I honestly would buy a pair of those Chuck Taylors before I sprung for a pair of Reeboks. Remember when they were inventing the "Pump", endorsed by Shaq, and were trying to knock off Nike? Those days are LONG gone.

I didn't know that was the cycle to their distribution. I suppose that explains why they stink.

I never thought Umbro made bad products. The England shirts always look like they are quality.

I forgot one thing about Nike: I love Nike's innovation and style-I love Nike in general. They have made sports wear mainstream. Look at the crap people threw on themselves in the 70's and early 80 as a comparison. But, I do not consider their sneakers to be better than adidas.

The adidas sneakers I have worn over the years ("Rod Laver", "Shell Toe" and "Samba") have lasted forever. Their flip-flops could stop a bullet. Nike's footwear does not have anywhere near the shelf life, I haven't owned a pair in at least 5 years.