Benfica report case of H1N1 flu

Benfica has released information stated that one of its players in its junior squad has contracted the influenza that is making its way around the globe known as the H1N1 flu or swine flu as it is sometimes called. The player in question returned recently from training in Brazil but he has not been disclosed, Benfica also states that their may be a second case but this is being monitored at the moment. Benfica has followed the new protocols in place since the end of last season and this assisted the team in quickly identifying the case. The player is currently isolated and receiving treatment. Benfica has also let it be known that the player was not in contact with anyone on the main squad.

Braga lose to Elfsborg in Europa League action

Portuguese clubs poor play this week continues in UEFA competitions as Braga lose to Swedish club 2-1 at home in their first leg action. Elfsborg proved to be a stubborn bunch and took the early lead on a goal by Danielsson in the 16th minute before Braga was awarded a penalty kick in the 51st minute converted by Meyong. Then Elfsborg regained the lead and the victory in the 73rd minute when Bajrami chipped in a shot and now Braga will need to wait for the rematch in Sweden on August 6th, needing a victory by two goals or a high scoring one goal victory.

FC Porto move on to Semis in Peace Cup

FC Porto have continued their fine in this preseason with a draw against Turkish side Beskitas in Peace Cup action. FC Porto have quite a few chances in the game but some good defending by the Turkish side kept this game at nil. The draw was enough to carry Porto in the Semi-Finals in where they will meet English side Aston Villa on July 31.

Sporting draw at home against Twente

Sporting start off the UEFA Champions League campaign with a draw at home against Dutch side Twente. Sporting controlled most of the game but were not able to penetrate the Twente net, a missed penalty by Joao Moutinho in the 28th minute and several chances by Yannick were turned aside by the Twente keeper. Sporting fans almost went into shock on the last play of the game as Twente's Nkufo just shot wide of the net as he was partial in alone on the Sporting keeper. Sporting will now take on Twente on August 4 looking to advance

Pacos lose in Europa League Action

Pacos Ferreira have started their third round qualifying campaign in the UEFA Europa League with a loss to Bnei Yehuda 1-0 in Tel Aviv. Eliran Attar scored for the home side in the 55th minute the second leg will take place August 6 and Pacos will need a victory by two goals or more to advance into the next round as only a 1-0 score will get them into extra time.

Hulk brace leads Porto past Lyon

FC Porto defeated Lyon last night in Peace Cup action 2-0 on a brace by Hulk. The Brazilian striker scored in the 9th and 75th minute as Porto opened the tournament with a steady performance against the French club. Porto will now take on Besiktas on July 29/09 with a victory or draw taking them in the tournament Quarter-Finals.

Weekend Friendlies Round Up

We have another Weekend of Friendlies by Portuguese clubs. There were a few teams in action and we will start it off with Guimaraes who defeated Trofense 3-2 with goals from Custodio and a pair from Douglas while Trofense's markers came from Helder Sousa and Reguila. Nacional defeated Setubal 1-0 from an own goal. Pacos Ferreira defeated Beira Mar 2-1 with goals from Mario Ronden and Rone Dias with Fary replying for Beira Mar. Leixoes defeated Maritimo 3-0 with Gallo, Faioli and Tiago Cintra scoring the markers. Santa Clara defeated Academica 2-1 with Gabi and Fofana scoring for the Azorian team and Sougou with the marker for Academica. Estoril defeated Belenenses 3-2, Rodrigo with a pair and Rafael scoring for Estoril while Freddy and Marcelo replying for Belenenses

Benfica win Amsterdam Cup

Benfica have won the Amsterdam Cup after defeating Ajax 3-2. Ajax scored an own goal in the 9th minute to give Benfica the early lead, Angel Di Maria then extended the Benfica lead to 2-0 before Ajax's Mitchell made the score 2-1 at the half. David Luiz then restored Benfica's two goal lead at the 55th minute before Rommedahl replied later in the game to make it an interesting contest until the final whistle

Benfica's Yebda on the way out

Benfica's Yebda looks to be on his way out of Benfica as the midfielder has fallen out of favour with his head coach. Yebda who played in 34 games for Benfica last season has not started the past few games being replaced by Ruben Amorim and now with recent signing Javi Garcia added to the midfield, Yebda looks to have a decreasing role with the team. There are several English clubs interested in Yebda who looks to be moved before the transfer window closes.

Pacos Ferreira advance in Europa League

Pacos Ferreira have advance in UEFA Europa League play after a 1-0 victory over Zimbru. Cristiano got the late marker in the 84th minute after coming in as a substitute in the 64th minute. Pacos win the aggregate 1-0 after playing the first leg to a 0-0 draw. Pacos now play in the third round qualifying stage which takes place July 30 and August 6 against Yeduda Tel Aviv from Isreal. Braga will also start play this round as they face off against IF Elfsborg from Sweden.

Setubal pick up Porto's Kazmierczak

Setubal have picked up little used Porto midfielder Kazmierczak and signed him for the upcoming season. Kazmierczak should pick up plenty of playing time with Setubal who's current midfield is bare

Benfica loan Felipe Bastos to Belenenses

Benfica have loaned Brazilian midfielder Felipe Bastos to Belenenses for a season. Bastos became expandable once Benfica signed Javi Garcia from Real Madrid over the weekend. Benfica are also said to be in talks for Belenenses' keeper Julio Cesar

Benfica lose and Sporting draw in friendlies

Benfica lost in their home presentation game 2-1 to Atelitico Madrid. Atletico opened the scoring when Raul Garcia scored in the 11th minute but Benfica replied in the 20th minute with a goal from Oscar Cardozo. Atletico were then awarded a penalty kick in the 45th minute which was converted by Diego Forlan, Atletico then held on in a scoreless second half. Sporting and Guimaraes played to a 2-2 draw, Sporting's goals came from M.Fernandez and Helder Postiga while Guimaraes obtained goals from J. Goncalves and Roberto.

Weekend Friendlies Round Up

We have another Weekend of Friendlies by Portuguese clubs. There were quite a few teams in action this past weekend and we will start our round up with last seasons Champions FC Porto who defeated Monaco 3-0, Mariano and Guarin scored for Porto and Monaco also provided an own goal to round out the score. Nacional battles Blackburn to a scoreless draw after defeating Hajduk Split the night before 1-0 on a goal by Ruben Micael. Sporting lost 2-1 to Feyenoord as De Guzman and Roy Makaay chipped in goals for the visitors while Helder Postiga replied for Sporting. Vizela defeated Guimaraes 1-0 on a goal by Bertinho. Baba scored for Maritimo in a 1-0 victory over Merelinense and Maritimo followed that up with a victory over Oliveirense 4-0, Baba with a pair Camilio and Joao Luiz scored for Maritimo in this game. Sunderland defeated Portimonense 1-0 on a goal from Ben Traore. Aves defeated Trofense 1-0 on a goal from Xano. Covilha's 1-0 victory over Naval was due in part on a goal from Milton.

Benfica storm back to win Guadiana Final

Benfica have won the Guadiana Championship over Olhanense 2-1. Benfica fell behind in a tight contest when Olhanense's Ukra converted a penalty kick in the 62nd minute but that lead didnt last long as Cardozo equalized the contest in the 64th minute before Miguel Vitor won the game in extra time for the Eagles to take the Championship.

Olhanense to meet Benfica in Final

Olhanense will meet Benfica today in the Guadiana Cup Final after defeating Anderlecht 2-1 yesterday on goals from Zequinha and Fabio while Anderlecht got their lone goal from Biglia. Olhanense who have returned to top flight soccer in Portugal will look to take the tournament today.

Benfica advance to Guadiana Final

Benfica have advanced to the Guadiana Tournament final on Saturday with a victory today over Athletic Bilbao 2-1. Benfica fell behind in the first half 1-0 when Toquero scored in the 17th minute but Benfica stormed back in the second half with two goals from Javier Saviola in the 48th and 66th minute. Benfica now will await for tomorrows winner of the Olhanense-Anderlecht matchup to find out who they will meet in the Final

Pacos draw FC Zimbru in Europa League play

Pacos Ferreira is the first portuguese team to have action in European play this seaon as they competed in the 2nd Qualifying Stage of the New Europa League. Pacos were held to a draw by FC Zimbru on the road today 0-0 as the Moldovan team played a tough defensive first match. Pacos will now travel back home for the 2nd leg looking for a victory. The matchup will take place on July 23/09.

FC Porto defeat Leixoes in friendly

FC Porto defeated Leixoes in a friendly today by a score of 3-1. Porto new signing Belluschi scored in the 20th minute to give Porto the lead before Raul Meireles extended that in the second half at the 48th minute. Leixoes cut that lead in half when Faioli converted a penalty kick in the 82nd minute before Mariano restored the two goal advantage in the 88th minute for Porto

Benfica defeat Shakhtar in friendly

Benfica have defeated Shaktar Donetsk in a friendly today in Switzerland by a score of 2-0. Benfica got goals from Oscar Cardozo in the 8th minute and Carlos Martins in the 25th minute. Benfica will now head back to Portugal in preparation for this upcoming weekends Guadiana Tournament.

Weekend Friendlies Round Up

The Friendlies are starting to pick up with many of the top portuguese clubs in action over the weekend. We will start with defending champions FC Porto pulling off a 3-1 victory over Tourizense on two markers from Hulk and another from Mariano with Figa scoring for Tourizense. Setubal defeated Atletico Cacem 5-0, Keita and severino each scored a pair with Regula providing the other marker. Beira Mar defeated Naval 2-1, Fanguero and Ibraima scoring for Beira and D. Angelo for Naval. Pacos Ferreira defeated Aves 3-1, Celso, William and D. Brandao scoring for Pacos and Diego Mourao for Aves. Braga defeated English club Bristol City 3-2, Rolando Linz with a pair and Meyong chipping in goals for Braga and Clarksson and Plummer for Bristol. Sporting was defeated 1-0 by Nottingham Forrest on a goal by Paul Anderson. Benfica tied Sion from Switzerland on the road 2-2 with Cardozo and Saviola getting the markers for Benfica and Die, Dabo scoring for Sion.

Benfica still undecided on keeper

Benfica have decided to end their search for another keeper and Jorge Jesus will now try to decide between Quim, Moreira and Moretto on who will be Benfica's starting keeper this season. Benfica have the same three keepers from last season were most of the games where split between Quim and Moreira. Moretto was the starting keeper a few seasons ago when Benfica made a run to the Champions League Quarter-Finals. Jesus will let each keeper play seperate friendlys and hope to have a clear cut winner when the Superliga season opens up. Benfica could still land a keeper but their focus seems to have switched to a striker at the moment.

Leixoes bring in Brazilian youngster

Leixoes have signed Brazilian youngster Caue. The 21 year old midfielder has signed a 4 year contract and arrived at the Estadio do Mar yesterday. Caue should be ready to practise today with his new teammates.

Sporting win friendly over Atletico Cacem

Sporting have won their friendly earleir today over III Division team Atletico Cacem 3-0. Helder Postiga opened the scoring for Sporting before new recruit Matias Fernandez made it 2-0 for the Lions. Magalhaes scored in his own net to push the score up to 3-0 and the final result

Nacional pick up keeper Elisson

Nacional have picked up 22 year old keeper Elisson this past week as the Madeira club looks to reinforce the team for the Europa League play. Elisson played the previous season in Brazil with Cruzeiro.

Leidson signs on with Sporting until 2012

Sporting have signed long time striker Leidson until 2012. Leidson and Sporting have come to the agreement recently and all thats required is for Leidson to put the pen to paper. Leidson led Sporting last season with 17 goals and Sporting will look for more of the same as they look to qualify for the Group Stage of the Champions League

FC Porto want $30M for Bruno Alves sale

FC Porto will only let Bruno Alves go if a team is willing to pay $30 million euros for the central defender. Porto's President is not willing to negotiate on that figure, rumours have it that Barcelona and AC Milan are the front runners in the Alves sweepstakes