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31/07/11
* (Relative) luck smiled on Portugal in the draw for the qualifying groups for the 2014 World Cup, made in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday: Group F includes Russia, Israel, Northern Ireland,
Azerbaijan and Luxembourg. The winner of the group qualifies directly, while the second-placed country can qualify through a play-off. Portugal were seeded and thus avoided the main players in European
football. Group games begin in September 2012.
* Portual U-20s drew 0-0 with Uruguay in their first match of the World Cup in Cali, Colombia, on Saturday. Sérgio Oliveira was sent off ten minutes from time for a second yellow.
* In front of one of the best crowds (48,952) in the brief history of the Alvalade XXI stadium, Sporting
wasted a large part of the goodwill generated by previous pre-season games (five victories, just one goal conceded) by going down 0-3 (goals) to Valência
in the official presentation of the new Sporting squad. Bernat on five minutes nipped in to head in under the nose of Rui Patrício. On the half-hour, Soldado raced onto a through ball and was too strong and fast for Carriço before beating Patrrício with ease. And just before the break, Pablo Piatti was quickest to a cross from the left and flicked it in. All three goals came from throw-ins, a detail that will be worrying coach Domingos Paciência. The team left the field at half-time under a barrage of whistles from their long-suffering fans. Sporting kept a clean sheet in the second half, but couldn't manage much up the other end. After the match, Domingos played down the defeat: "We weren't the best team in the world before this game, nor are we the worst now."
The teams lined up:
Sporting: Rui Patrício (Marcelo Boeck 65), João Pereira (Carrillo 82), Carriço (Polga 65), Onyewu (Rodríguez HT), Evaldo, Rinaudo (André Santos 57), Izmailov (Pereirinha HT),
Schaars (Luís Aguiar 57), Yannick Djaló (Capel 65), Rubio (Wolfswinkel HT), Postiga (André Martins 57)
Valência: Diego Alves, Bruno, Rami, Ricardo Costa, Alba, Topal, Albelda, Pablo Hernández, Piatti,
Bernat, Soldado. (Also: Jonas, Maduro, Dealbert Feghouli, Mata, Parejo , Mathieu, Miguel, Purtu, Pardo).
* Sporting Braga finished second
in the traingular tournament Achille & Cesare Bortolotti trophy, played out in Bergamo. In the first game of 45 minutes, Braga lost 0-1 to Queen's Park Rangers (goals); in the second they beat hosts Atalanta 3-1 on penalties (goals). QPR won the tournament.
* Paços de Ferreira beat Marítimo 2-1
in their official presentation. Vítor got their first goal with a free-kick on 44 minutes. Babá equalised from the spot on 69, but Paços confirmed the win through Josué, also from the spot, five minutes from time.
* Académica beat Feirense 4-2
in the Students' presentation to their fans. Rabiola put Feirense in front but Académica turned it around before the break through Adrien and Éder. They made it four in the second half with goals from William (OG) and Fábio Luís, while William made some amends by adding one for Feirense near the end.
* Beira-Mar drew 0-0 with Celta de Vigo in Melgaço.
* Newly-promoted Gil Vicente beat Tirsente 4-0 with goals from Laionel, Yero (2) and Hugo Vieira.
* Mozambican striker Jerry Sitoe, 20, has joined Académica from Liga Muçulmana de Maputo on a contract that could extend to three years.
* quote of the day:
"Believe in us!"
(Sporting coach Domingos after his team lost 0-3 to Valência.)
30/07/11
* French left back Atila Turan, 19, has moved to Sporting from Grenoble on a five-year contract.
* Sporting will play the Angolan national team in Luanda on 11 November as part of the commemorations of Angolan Independence Day.
* A fervent 35-year-old supporter of FC Porto found his way into the Estádio do Dragão last week and got hold of two cups – the Taça Cândido de Oliveira (Supertaça) and the Taça do Campeonato (Championship Cup) 2010/2011, the national daily Correio da Manhã reports.
Brandishing the cups, he did six laps of the Dragão pitch and pretended to be André Villas Boas, giving orders to imaginary players. Then he returned to where he had found the cups, in the office of club
president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, and slept for ten hours. He was caught after using the phone in the office to call his mother to tell her that he was "in heaven".
* Quotes of the day:
"He's as close to Sporting as Higuaín, Drogba or Krkic. It's fiction." (Sporting's Director of Football, Carlos Freitas, denies rumours that Nicklas Bendtner could be on his
way to the club.)
"Now I have to concentrate on Benfica and get prepared for the coming season because good things are on their way." Uruguayan international right back Maxi Pereira looks forward to the season
with optimism.
29/07/11
* Nacional beat Swedish side BK Hacken 3-0
in Madeira in the third preliminary round of the Europa League on Thursday. They took the lead on 12 minutes through Luís Alberto, and just five minutes later were two-up after Mateus netted. The Angolan international got his second just before the break. In the second half, Rondon headed against the post but the Madeiran side could not extend their lead.
The teams lined up:
Nacional: Elisson, João Aurélio, Felipe Lopes, Danielson, Nuno Pinto, Luís Alberto, Rene Mihelic, Dejan Skolnik (Edgar Costa 80), Elizeu (Ivan Todorovic 68), Mário Rondon, Mateus
(Candeias 84).
BK Hacken: Kallkvist, Forsell, Soderberg, Ostberg, Arkivuo, Bjurstrom, Nystrom (Waris 67), Karlsson, Chibuike, Ranégie, Makondele (Williams 79).
* Vitória de Guimarães drew 0-0 at Danish side Midtyjlland in a scrappy game, with Vitória getting in just one shot on target, El Adoua's shot saved by Jensen.
The teams lined up:
Midtjylland: Kasper Jensen, Afriyie, Bak Nielsen, Kristijan Ipsa, Jesper Juelsgard, Mads Albaek (Jonas Borring 87), Jakob Poulsen, Izunna Uzochukwu, Hassan, Jude Nworuh (Tim Janssen 72),
Igboun.
Vitória de Guimarães: Nilson, Alex, João Paulo, N'Diaye, Anderson Mineiro, Issam El Adoua, Pedro Mendes (Leonel Olimpio 71), João Alves, Targino (Maranhão 82), Abdelghani Faouzi (Edgar 57), Marcelo
Toscano.
* Newly promoted Feirense lost 0-2 against Maritimo in the official presentation to their fans, Ibrahim on 11 minutes and Pouga on 64 getting the goals.
* Brazilian right-sided player Danilo has officially completed his move from Santos to FC Porto
for 13 million euros. The contract is until 2016 and has a rescission clause of 50 million euros.
* FC Porto have loaned goalkeeper Ventura, 23, to Olhanense; he was loaned to Portimonense last season. Olhanense also take midfielder Fernando Alexandre
on loan from Sporting Braga.
* Quote of the day:
"We can't sit in the shade of the banana tree." Coach Ivo Vieira warns against complacency after Nacional beat Hacken 3-0 in the Europa League.
28/07/11
* Benfica beat Trabzonspor 2-0 (goals) in the first leg of the third
preliminary round of the Champions League in front of 37,341 at the Luz on Wednesday. They started strongly, forcing Tolga in the Trabzonspor goal to make several good saves, but then the Turkish side slowly found
their way into the match and began to create their own danger. However, changes made by coach Jorge Jesus in the second half made Benfica more dynamic once again, and in the last 20 minutes they scored their two
goals. For the first, on 71 minutes, sub Nolito latched onto an Aimar pass to hook the ball past Tolga from ten metres, and on 88 minutes, another sub, Witsel, found Gaitán
on the edge of the box and his curled shot beat Tolga and found the top left-hand corner of the net. The tie is not over, but Benfica must now travel to Turkey hopeful of qualification.
The teams lined up:
Benfica: Artur Moraes, Ruben Amorim, Luisão, Garay, Emerson, Javi Garcia, Enzo Pérez (Nolito 54), Aimar (Witsel 75), Gaitán, Saviola, Cardozo.
Trabzonspor: Tolga, Balci, Giray Kaçar, Glowacki, Celustka, Zokora, Colman, Yilmaz, Mierzejwski (Brozek 85), Alanzinho (Öztorun 67), Paulo Henrique.
* Rio Ave drew 1-1 in a friendly at St Étienne. João Tomás got Rio Ave's goal after five minutes, with Idriss Saadi replying for the French side.
* Promoted to the Liga de Honra at the end of last season, historic Lisbon club Atlético beat Vitória de Setúbal 3-1
in the official presentation of the former's squad. Pitbull gave Vitória the lead, but an own goal by Igor and two other goals by Tiago Caiero and Aílton gave Atlético's fans something to smile about.
* Another Liga de Honra side, Oliveirense, beat União de Leiria 2-0.
* Forward Yazalde, 22, has been loaned by Sporting Braga to Rio Ave once again. He was second top scorer at the club last season with ten goals.
* Spanish midfielder Zapater looks set to join Lokomotiv Moscow from Sporting.
* Portugal remain 7th in FIFA's ranking of top countries, published on Wednesday.
1. Spain 1588 points
2. Holland 1542
3. Germany 1305
4. Brazil 1202
5. Uruguay 1156
6. England 1146
7. Portugal 1076
8. Italy 1059
9. Croatia 1033
10. Argentina 1013
* Quote of the day:
"Half the world covets Álvaro Pereira." Headline on A Bola's website. FC Porto's Uruguayan left back is a flavour of the month after good exhibitions in the recent Copa
America.
27/08/11
* Sporting Braga spoiled newly-promoted Gil Vicente's official presentation to their fans by beating them 3-0 on Tuesday. To add to the ignominy, two of the goals were scored by former Gil
player Zé Luís to give Braga a 2-0 half-time lead. Their other goal was scored by new signing Nuno Gomes from Benfica.
* Benfica have named their squad for Wednesday's Champions League preliminary round tie, first leg, at home to Turkish side Trabzonspor. New signing Capdevila was not registered in time:
Goalkeepers: Artur, Eduardo;
Defenders: Maxi Pereira, Jardel, Luisão, Garay, Emerson;
Midfielders:
Javi García, Matic, Ruben Amorim, Enzo Pérez, Bruno César, Witsel, Aimar, Gaitán, Nolito;
Forwards: Cardozo, Saviola, Jara
* Portugal may play Romania
on 10 August to substitute Argentina in the inauguration of Romania's new 55,000-seat national stadium; the friendly against Luxembourg on the same day would obviously have to be cancelled or re-scheduled.
* Vitória de Guimarães midfielder Rui Miguel is to join Russian club Krasnodar on a three-year contract for one million euros.
* Midfielder André Sousa, 21, has signed for Beira-Mar from Pampilhosa.
* Benfica's historic General Assembly of 1 July 1979 voted in favour of allowing foreign players to sign for the club; Brazilian Jorge Gomes was the first. Now, 32 years later, the club may field a
team made up entirely of foreigners, i.e. without a single Portuguese player, which would be another historic moment (featured in the national daily Público).
* One of the most successful foreigners ever in Portuguese football, the Brazilian striker Mário Jardel, formerly of FC Porto (1996-2000), Sporting (2001-2003) and Beira-Mar (2007), is to join Saudi
Arabian club Al Taawon at the age of 37. 'Supermário' was top scorer in Portugal five times (four for Porto, once for Sporting). Al Taawon will be the 19th cub of his career.
* Vítor Nóvoa, Jaime Pacheco's assistant when Boavista won their only Portuguese title in 2001, has passed away. The funeral took place in Porto on Tuesday.
* FC Porto have bought the goal in which Falcao
got the winner of the Europa League Final against Sporting Braga last season, played at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin; the goal will feature in the museum that the club is planning.
* Quote of the day:
"This season, I'm going to explode!" FC Porto's Brazilian midfielder Souza sets out his short-term ambition.
26/07/11
* Benfica have sent the squad list for the upcoming Champions League preliminary round tie against Trabzonspor. Missing are Roberto, Júlio César, Nuno Coelho, Carlos Martins, Urreta
and Rodrigo Mora. New signing Capdevila may replace Jardel before Tuesday's deadline:
Goalkeepers: Artur Moraes, Eduardo, José Costa, Bruno Varela;
Defenders: Emerson, Luisão, Maxi Pereira, Ezequiel Garay,
Miguel Vítor, Jardel, André Almeida, Luís Martins, Fábio Faria;
Midfielders: Ruben Amorim, Javi Garcia, Bruno César, Nolito, Pablo Aimar, Gaitán, Matic, David Simão, Axel Witsel, Enzo Pérez, Ruben Pinto;
Forwards: Cardozo, Saviola, Franco Jara
* Goalkeepers are in the news in Portugal for a variety of reasons:
* Goalkeeper Ricardo Baptista, loaned by Sporting to Olhanense, has been banned for two years for failing a drug test after the Olhanense v Académica game on the 17th jornada last season.
* Portuguese U-21 international 'keeper Cristiano Pereira has signed a one-year contract for Valência from Sporting Braga.
* Former goalkeeper and assistant to Jaime Pacheco in Boavista's title year (2001), Vítor Nóvoa, was buried on Monday after passing away at the weekend.
* FC Porto's Colombian striker Radamel Falcao
has been voted the 5th best player in European competitions by journalists, after Iniesta of Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and Xavi are the top three, who now 'play off'. With 17 goals in the Europa League, Falcao broke Jurgen Klinsmann's 15-year-old record for top scorer in European competitions.
* Quote of the day:
"Real Madrid and Benfica are very similar." Benfica's Argetinian defender Garay catches something from new team-mate Nolito, who thinks Benfica and Barcelona are also very
similar ...
25/07/11
* FC Porto beat Uruguayan side Peñarol 3-0 (goals) at the Estádio do
Dragão on Sunday in the official presentation of the squad to the Porto fans; it was a repeat of the 1987 Intercontinental Cup. Guillermo Rodríguez put through his own goal on ten minutes, but despite their
dominance, Porto had to wait until the 76th minute to extend their lead through Hulk from the spot. Walter completed the score two minutes from time.
The teams lined up:
FC Porto: Helton (Bracali 66),
Sapunaru (Sereno 76), Rolando, Maicon (David 85), Fucile (David Addy 76), Souza (Christian 85), Moutinho (Castro 66), Ruben Micael (Belluschi 66), Hulk (Kelvin 85), Kléber (Walter 71), Varela (Djalma 66).
Peñarol: Sosa, González, Freitas, Rodriguez, López, Valdez, Corujo, Torres, Zalayeta, Albín, Palácios. (Also: Pastorini, Perez, MacEachen, Amodio, Siles, Silva)
* Porto now rest until 31 July when they meet Lyon in Geneva, followed by the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira on 7 August against Vitória de Guimarães (last season's losing cup-finalists).
* Vitória lost 0-3 to Santa Clara, who thus take the Pauleta Trophy (former Portuguese international striker Pedro Pauleta is from the Azores, home of Santa Clara). All three goals were scored by Dincic,
on 13, 27 and 49 minutes.
* Marítimo and Feirense drew 0-0 in Fão, with Nigerians Taiwo and Ibrahim making their débuts for the Madeiran side.
* Quotes of the day:
"We're expecting more of the same: victories and titles." (FC Porto central defender Maicon after his side beat Peñarol 3-0).
"There are moments when we
should give an opportunity to the younger players." (Benfica captain Luisão paves the way for an exit from the Luz).
* Other pre-season games (source: Maisfutebol):
06/07
Vitória de Guimarães-Brasov, 4-0
FC Porto-Tourizense, 7-0
09/07
Vitória de Guimarães-Penafiel, 3-0
Beira-Mar-Brasov, 1-0
Freamunde-Sporting Braga, 1-2
Freiburg-Benfica, 1-9
Rio Ave-Players' Union, 3-0
10/07
FC Gutersloh-FC Porto, 1-10
Servette-Benfica, 1-1
11/07
Olhanense-Crawley Town, 2-1
Sporting Braga-Brasov, 2-0
Dijon-Benfica, 2-1
13/07
Vitória de Guimarães -Beira-Mar, 4-1
Arouca-Feirense, 1-1
Sporting-FC Presikhaaf, 8-0
Desportivo das Aves-Rio Ave, 2-0
Vitória de Setúbal-Iberos CF, 7-1
14/07
Belenenses-U. Leiria, 0-0
Seia-Paços de Ferreira, 0-8
15/07
Gil Vicente-Moreirense, 0-0 (3-4, pens)
Benfica-PSG (Guadiana Tournament), 3-1
Vitória de Guimarães-Rio Ave, 0-1
16/07
Paços de Ferreira-Guarda, 8-0
Académica-Tourizense, 2-0
Telstar-Sporting, 0-3
Borussia Mönchengladbach-FC Porto, 0-0
Arouca-Beira-Mar, 1-0
Leixões-Sporting Braga, 2-2
Feirense-Santa Clara, 0-2
Vitória de Setúbal-Celta B, 2-1
Freamunde-Gil Vicente, 1-1 (1-3 pens)
17/07
Benfica-Anderlecht (Guadiana Tournament), 2-2
F.C. Porto-SC Verl, 3-1
18/07
Sporting-Ankaraguçu, 3-0
19/07
Sporting Braga-Moreirense, 4-1
20/07
Benfica-Toulouse, 1-0
Desportivo das Aves-Vitória de Guimarães, 1-0
Leixões-Feirense, 1-0
Santa Clara-Beira-Mar, 0-1
Oliveirense-Gil Vicente, 0-1
Belenenses-Olhanense, 1-0
Naval-União de Leiria, 0-1
Sporting de Covilhã-Vitória de Setúbal, 0-0
Académica-Arouca, 2-3
Paços de Ferreira-Players' Union, 5-1
21/07
Rio Ave-FC Porto, 1-3
22/07
Celta Vigo-Sporting Braga, 2-1
Académica-Santa Clara, 0-2
23/07
Moreirense-Paços Ferreira, 2-0
Naval-Beira-Mar, 0-0
Sporting de Covilhã-Gil Vicente, 0-1
Penafiel-Rio Ave, 2-0
Sporting Braga-Desportivo das Aves, 2-0
Oliveira do Hospital-União de Leiria, 1-8
Olhanense-Brighton, 2-1
Belenenses-Atlético, 2-2
Académica-Vitória de Guimarães, 1-1
Leixões-Marítimo, 1-2 (abandoned)
Juventus-Sporting, 1-2
24/07
Feirense-Marítimo, 0-0
FC Porto-Peñarol, 3-0
V. Guimarães-Santa Clara, 0-3
* Upcoming games:
26/07
Rio Ave-Marítimo
Gil Vicente-Sporting Braga
27/10
Vitória de Setúbal-Atlético
Penafiel-Paços Ferreira
Beira-Mar-Académica
Oliveirense-União de Leiria
28/07
Marítimo-Feirense
30/07
Paços Ferreira-Marítimo
Sporting-Valência
Feirense-Académica
Beira-Mar-Celta de Vigo
Olhanense-Vitória de Setúbal
31/07
Vitória de Guimarães-Marítimo
Lyon-FC Porto
03/08
Oliveirense-Paços Ferreira
Feirense-Rio Ave
Trofense-Beira-Mar
Estoril-União de Leiria
05/07
Sporting-Málaga (Ramón Carranza)
06/07
F.C. Porto-Vitória de Guimarães (Supertaça Portugal)
Benfica-Arsenal
Sporting Braga-Aston Villa
Feirense-Tirsense
Rio Ave-Gil Vicente
08/07
União de Leiria-Tourizense
24/07/11
* Sporting beat Juventus 2-1 (goals) in Toronto on Saturday evening. The
Lisbon club were dominant throughout but especially during the first half when they scored two through Yannick Djaló. Del Piero, on as sub, pulled one back for Juventus in the second half. Particularly impressive
for Sporting were new signings Rinaudo and Schaars in midfield. Sporting have won all four of their pre-season games so far, scoring 19 and conceding just one.
The teams lined up:
Sporting: Rui Patrício
(Marcelo Boeck 46), João Pereira (João Gonçalves 82) Carriço (Polga 72), Onyewu (Ilori 72), Evaldo, Rinaudo, Pereirinha (André Martins 67), Schaars, Yannick (Bojinov 82), Postiga (André Santos 67), Van Wolfswinkel
(Rubio 67).
Juventus: Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Chiellini, Barzagli, Ziegler, Marchisio, Pazienza, Pirlo, Quagliarella, Matri, Krasic. (Also: Storari, Motta, Bonucci, De Ceglie, Giandonato, Silvestro, Marrone,
Martinez, Luca Toni, Del Piero).
* Sporting Braga beat Desportivo das Aves of the Liga de Honra 2-0 with goals from Pizzi and Guilherme.
Braga lined up:
Marcos, Baiano, Paulo Vinicius, Ewerton, Imorou, Salino, Vinicius, Mossoró, Pizzi, Douglas, Paulo César. (Also: Berni, José Luis, Henrique, Hélder Barbosa, Guilherme, Rodrigo Galo, Ukra, Alan, Nuno André Coelho, Palmeira).
* The Leixões v Marítimo friendly was abandoned near the end after home fans invaded the pitch, incensed at tussles between players of both teams. Marítimo had been winning 2-1, Olberdam and Pouga
scoring for the Madeiran side, Capela for Leixões.
* Paços de Ferreira lost 0-2 to Liga de Honra side Moreirense, Bruno Moreira and Wagner with the goals.
* Rio Ave also lost 0-2, also to Liga de Honra opposition. Paulo Oliveira and Baptiste scored the second half goals for Penafiel.
* União de Leiria thrashed Segunda Divisão side Oliveira do Hospital 8-1, the goals coming from Cepeda, Bruno Moraes, Luís Leal, Jô, Elvis, Djaniny, Cacá and Carlos Almeida (own goal).
Oliveira do Hospital's reply was also an own goal, by Erichot.
* Luís Filipe has swapped Benfica for Algarve club Olhanense.
* Vitória de Setúbal winger Zeca looks set to join Panathinaikos for a reported fee of 300,000 euros.
* Vitória de Guimarães have loaned winger João Ribeiro to Turkish club Orduspor for a season.
* Quote of the day: "Elvis signs for a season." (Headline on A Bola's website. This Elvis is a 33-year old Brazilian central defender).
23/07/11
* Sporting Braga lost 1-2 (goals) at Spanish side Celta de Vigo in the Memorial
Quinocho tournament on Friday. Joan Tomás put Celta in front from the spot on 52 minutes, Henrique equalised for Braga 15 minutes later, but Pillado gave Celta the win four minutes after that.
Braga lined up:
Quim, Rodrigo Gallo, Nuno Coelho, Ewerton, Paulo Vinicius, Djamal, Alan, Hugo Viana, Guilherme, Lima, Nuno Gomes. (Also: Paulo César, Barbosa, Henrique, Baiano, Meyong, Imorou, Leandro Salino, Zé Luís, Marcos, Palmeira).
* Vitória de Setúbal beat Estoril of the Liga de Honra 3-1, with Bruno Severino getting two and Igor th other, while Licá replied for Estoril.
* FC Porto have signed Brazilian full back Alex Sandro
from Uruguayan club Deportivo Maldonado for 9.6 million euros. His contract is for five years, the rescission clause set at 50 million euros.
* Sporting have signed Spanish forward Diego Capel
from Sevilla on a five-year contract for 3.5 million euros. The rescission clause in his new contract is of 30 million euros. Asked what he could give to the club, he said: "Everything!"
* Carlos Saleiro has moved from Sporting to Swiss club Servette on a two-year contract
* The Public Prosecutor's Office has formally accused members of the board, players and coaching staff of Nacional
of fraud in respect of contracts signed between 2002 and 2005. Payments were allegedly made to players and coaching staff in such a way as to avoid the payment of taxes.
Benfica's new signing Joan Capdevila arrives at
Lisbon airport, looking like he means business.
Exactly what kind of business, well ...
22/07/11
* Nacional are through to the third preliminary round of the Europa League after beating Icelandic side FC Hafnarfjordur 2-0 (goals) in Madeira; the first leg had
finished 1-1. Luís Alberto put Nacional in front on 55 minutes, with Candeias finishing the visitors off on the stroke of time. Nacional play Swedish club Hacken in the next round.
The teams lined up:
Nacional: Elisson, João Aurélio, Felipe Lopes, Danielson, Nuno Pinto, Luís Alberto, Skolnik (Ivan Todorovic 87), Mihelic (Elizeu 70), Edgar Costa, Oliver (Candeias 74), Mateus.
FH Hafnarfjordur
: Gunnleifssson, Bjarnason, Aegeirssson (Saevarsson 81), Vidarsson, Sverisson, Vilhjalmsson, Atli Bjornsson (Atli Gudnason 46), Hallfredsson, Snorrason, Runarsson (Gudmundsson 81), Hannes Sigurdsson.
* Vitória de Guimarães will play Danish side FC Midtjylland in the same round.
* FC Porto beat Rio Ave 3-1 (goals) in the latter's official presentation to their fans
on Thursday. Kléber got two headed goals and João Moutinho scored directly from a corner in windy Vila do Conde. João Tomás replied from the spot for Rio Ave.
The teams lined up:
Rio Ave
: Paulo Santos, José Gomes, Gaspar, Eder, André Dias, Bruno China, Vítor Gomes, Braga, Saulo, João Tomás, Pateiro. (Also: Huanderson, Tiago Costa, Jeferson
, Tarantini, Tiago Pinto, Dinei, Jorginho, Wires, Feliz, Gilmar, Rafinha).
FC Porto: Bracali, Sapunaru, Rolando, Otamendi, Fucile, Fernando, João Moutinho,
Ruben Micael, Varela, Kléber, Djalma. (Also: Beto, David, Souza, Sereno, Castro, Bellushi, Maicon, Addy, Kelvin, Christian, Walter).
* The Portuguese Liga was the sixth strongest in the world last season, according to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS). Top is the
Spanish league, followed by Argentina, Brazil, England and Italy. After Portugal came Paraguay, Colombia, Chile, France and Germany.
* Benfica confirmed the signing of Spanish left back Joan Capdevila, 33, from Villareal on a two-year contract. Capdevila's contract has a rescission clause of 20
million euros. He was in T-shirt and shorts as he was shown around the club's museum by Rui Costa.
* Quote of the day:
"The truth is that there's practically no difference between Benfica and Barcelona." Benfica's new signing, former Barça forward Nolito.
21/07/11
* Benfica beat Toulouse 1-0 (goal)
at the Luz on Wednesday in the official presentation of the squad to the club's supporters. Central defender Jardel scored the only goal two minutes from time. The game saw the débuts of Brazilian left back
Emerson, Argentinian central defender Garay and Portuguese international goalkeeper Eduardo, who arrived from Génova this week.
The teams lined up:
Benfica:
Artur (Eduardo 46), André Almeida (Nuno Coelho 68), Javi García, Fábio Faria (Garay 46), Emerson, Matic (Jardel 68), Urreta (Enzo Pérez 46), Aimar (Witsel
46), Nolito (Gaitán 46), Bruno César (Saviola 46), Cardozo (Jara 46, Mora, 80)
Toulouse: Ahmada, Congre, Fofana (Akpro 81), Abdennour, MBengue, Devaux,
Firmin (Sirieix 69), Braaten, Sissoko, Tabanou (Paulo Machado 65), Bulut (Pentecote 69)
* Vitória de Guimarães lost to Desportivo das Aves 1-0, their second defeat of the pre-season. Newcomer Quinaz got the goal for the Liga de Honra side.
* The other Vitória, de Setúbal, drew 0-0 at Sporting de Covilhã.
* Paços de Ferreira beat the Players' Union side 5-1 with goals from Melgarejo (2), Michel, Vítor and Luisinho. Ozeia put through his own goal to give the Union a consolation.
* Académica, under new coach Pedro Emanuel, went down 2-3 to Arouca. Sissoko and Pape Sow got the goals of Os Estudantes, while Babanko, Vinícius and Hugo Monteiro scored for Arouca.
* Beira-Mar beat Azores side Santa 1-0, the goal scored by Artur.
* União de Leiria beat relegated Naval 1-0 with a goal from Jô.
* Newly promoted Feirense lost 0-1 to Leixões, Fausto scoring.
* FC Porto have loaned Argentinian midfielder Tomás Costa to German side Cologne.
20/07/11
* FC Porto have signed Brazilian midfielder Danilo, 20, from Santos for 13 million euros.
* Nigerian striker Ekele Udojoh, 21, has signed for Marítimo, joining João Luiz (ex-Beira-Mar), Domenighini (ex-Cobreloa) and Pouga (ex-Vaslui).
* Sporting Braga beat Moreirense 4-1 in a friendly on Monday. Meyong on 38 minutes (penalty) and Miguel Oliveira (own goal) saw Braga 2-0 up at the break, while
Nuno André Coelho and Pizzi made it four in the second half. Bruno Moreira pulled one back for Moreirense near the end.
Braga lined up: Berni, Baiano, Nuno André Coelho, Henrique (Ewerton 31), Imorou,
Djamal, Hugo Viana, Alan, Mossoró, Lima, Meyong. In the second half the following came on: Quim, Rodrigo Galo, Custódio, Douglas, Nuno Gomes, Salino, Pizzi, Guilherme, Vinícius.
* União de Leiria will play for the next three seasons at the municipal stadium of nearby Marinha Grande. The Leiria Municipal Stadium, built for Euro 2004, has
proved a massive white elephant and money pit, and the city council want to sell it off.
19/07/11
* Sporting ended their training camp in Holland on Sunday with a 3-0 win (goals)
over Turkish side Ankuruguçu, with Hélder Postiga, Van Wolfswinkel and Diego Rubio getting the goals. American cenral defender Onyewu came on for his début in the
second half. Sporting's next port of call will be Canada where they meet Sporting Toronto (22 July) and Juventus (23).
18/07/11
* Benfica clinched the Guadiana Tournament (their fifth in 11 editions) by drawing 2-2 (goals) with Anderlecht in the Algarve on Sunday. Saviola put Benfica in front,
Lukaku and Suarez turned it around for the Belgian side before the break, and Urreta, reportedly on his way out of the Luz on loan, equalised for Benfica five minutes from time.
Benfica lined up:
Artur Moraes, André Almeida (Daniel Wass 77), Javi García, Miguel Vítor (David Simão 25), Fábio Faria, Matic, Enzo Pérez (Nolito 46), Witsel
(Aimar 46), Gaitán (Bruno César 46), Saviola (Cardozo 46), Jara (Urreta 46).
* FC Porto beat SC Verl 3-1 (goals). The German side went in front through Jeton
Arifi, but Porto came back through Kléber, fed by Hulk, Hulk from the spot, and Kléber again, following up a shot from … Hulk.
F.C. Porto lined up: Beto, Sereno, Otamendi, Maicon, Addy, Castro, Fernando,
Hulk, Kelvin, Djalma, Kléber (Also: Fucile, Kadu, Sapunaru, Rolando, Souza, João Moutinho, Ruben Micael, Belluschi, Varela).
17/07/11
* FC Porto drew 0-0 (highlights)with Borussia Mönchengladbach in a friendly in
Oberhausen, Germany on Saturday. The game was marked by the sending off on 22 minutes of Hulk by German ref Thorsten Kinhofer, who had booked the brazlian
international for words and then showed a second card when Porto's best player up to that point applauded sarcastically.
FC Porto lined up: Helton, Sapunaru, Rolando, Maicon, David, Souza, Rúben Micael
, João Moutinho, Varela, Hulk, Walter. (Also: Bracali, Fucile, Otamendi, Fernando, Castro, Christian, Kléber, Sereno, Djalma.
After the game, midfielder João Moutinho denied contacts with Chelsea.
* Sporting also had two players sent off in their 3-0 (goals) win against Telstar in
Holland: João Mário walked on 79 minutes, Diego Rubio three minutes later. Postiga put Sporting in front on 33 minutes, with Diego Rubio (65) and Wolfswinkel from the
spot (77) confirming Sporting's third straight win in the pre-season.
Sporting lined up: Tiago, Pereirinha, Carriço, Ilory, Evaldo, André Santos, André
Martins, Ricardo Esgaio, Djaló, Rubio, Postiga. (Also: Marcelo Boeck, João Pereira, Edgar Ié, Schaars, Bruma, João Mário, Zézinho, Van Wolfswinkel, Polga, Juary
* Sporting Braga drew 2-2 at Leixões after being two goals up through Hugo Viana and Meyong. Joel and Wesllem scored for the home side.
* A Bola reports that Spanish international left back Joan Capdevila is on the point of signing a two-year contract with Benfica. the club made the signing of Argentine
defender Ezequiel Garay, 24, official on Saturday.
16/07/11
* Benfica beat Paris St Germain 3-1 (goals)
in the opening game of the Guadiana Tournament, being played out in the Algarve. Cardozo put Benfica in front on 11 minutes, PSG equalised through Nené on 15, and Jara and Saviola gave Benfica the
win in the second half.
Benfica lined up: Artur Moraes, André Almeida, Miguel Vítor, Javi García, Fábio Faria, Matic (Nuno Coelho 68), Bruno César (Witsel 46), Aimar (Jara 46), Enzo
Pérez (Nolito 46), Gaitán (Urreta 59), Cardozo (Saviola 46)
PSG play Anderlecht on Saturday.
* Rio Ave spoiled Vitória de Guimarães' official presentation to their fans, beating them 1-0
with a goal from Gilmar on the hour.
* Benfica will play Turkish side Trabzonspor in the third preliminary round of the Champions League. the first leg will be at the Luz on 26/27 July, the return on 02/03 August.
* Vitória de Guimarães will play The New Saints (Wales) or FC Midtjylland (Denmark) in the third prelimannry round of the Europa League, on 28 July and 4 August. If Nacional
beat the Icelandic FH Hafnarfjördur, they will meet BK Häcken (Sweden) or Honka (Finland).
* Midfielder Pedro Mendes has returned 'home' to Vitória de Guimarães after rescinding his contract with Sporting.
* Sporting Braga have been fined 2,000 euros by the Liga's Disciplinary Commission. During half time of the home game against União de Leiria in the 28th jornada last
season, photos turned up in the match officials' changing room showing decisions from the first half which went against Braga.
15/07/11
* Portugal's first taste of European football this season saw Nacional draw 1-1 (see goals)
in Iceland to FH Hafnarfjördur on Thursday in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the Europa League. Edgar Costa put the Madeiran side in front
just before half-time, with Bjarnason equalising on 67 minutes.
Nacional lined up: Elisson, Claudemir, Felipe Lopes, Danielson, Nuno Pinto, Luís
Alberto, Mihelic, Skolnic, Candeias (Anselmo, 68), Mateus, Edgar Costa (Márcio Madeira, 85).
* FC Porto have extended Colombian striker Radamel Falcao's contract from 2013 to 2015, with the value of the rescission clause rising from 30 to 45 million euros.
* Fábio Coentrão, on tour with Real Madrid in Los Angeles, USA: "I was never sad at Benfica ... Smiling is normal here. I'm at the best club in the world - I can only be smiling."
* Elections for the top posts at the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) will be held on 10 December.
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