Fabio Coentrao named to L'Equipe's Starting Eleven

Benfica's Fabio Coentrao has been named by French magazine L'Equipe to the 2010 Starting Eleven based on his performance in this years World Cup and his play with Benfica.

L' Equipe's Eleven:

Goalie- Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)

Defense- Maicon (Inter), Lucio (Inter), Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Pique (Barcelona)

Midfield- Xavi (Barcelona), Iniesta (Barcelona), Sneijder (Inter), Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Busquets (Barcelona)

Forwards- Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Benfica put the hurt on Rio Ave

Benfica put the hurt on Rio Ave today at the Estadio da Luz as they continue their chase of league leaders FC Porto. The victory over Rio Ave has Benfica five points behind the Dragons who do have a game in hand on the Eagles.

Benfica was quick off the mark scoring two goals in the first ten minutes of the game as Pablo Aimar and a Javier Saviola shot the was redirected into the Rio Ave net by a defender. Rio Ave cut the lead in half when Joao Tomas scored just before the end of the first half.

Benfica then regained their two goal advantage when Javier Saviola tapped in a Salvio pass into a wide open net. Salvio then scored his first of the night off a header to make the game 4-1 Benfica at the 62nd mark.

Rio Ave was then awarded a penalty and Joao Tomas scored his second of the game with a shot that was just out of the reach of Roberto. Salvio then scored his second of the game with a header from the top of the box to make the final score 5-2.

Braga crush Academica as Week 14 underway

Braga got Week 14 off to the right start for the Northern Portugal club as the crush Academica 5-0, obtaining only their second win in the Portuguese league over the last six games played.

Braga opened the scoring quick when Paulo Cesar was quick of the mark at the four minute mark, Paulao then made it 2-0 just before the half way point of the first half. Keita added his first of the season just before the half and Braga lead 3-0.

The second half saw Braga pour it on, with Meyong and Hugo Viana adding markers as Braga embarass Academica. The win moves Braga into 6th place in the Portuguese League.

Portuguese Clubs set to go in Europa League

Portuguese clubs FC Porto, Benfica, Sporting and Braga have had their games in the Round of 32 set as all clubs look to advance and maximize points for Portugal in the UEFA Country Coefficeints where Portugal ranks 5th among European countrys this season and moving into 6th spot in Overall country rankings slighty ahead of Russia and the Ukraine.

The games will be played over two legs with the first leg taking place February 15 and the second leg on February 22, the Portuguese clubs will be in tough as FC Porto take on Sevilla from Spain, Benfica take on German side Stuttgart, Sporting will face Scottish club Rangers and Braga will look at Polish side Lech Poznan.

Sagres renews contract with Portuguese Federation

Sagres Portugal's most popular beer has renewed their sponsorship contract with the Portuguese Football Federation for another 4 years in a deal that works out to about $3 million euros per year.

Benfica strikers take down Olhanense

Benfica have moved closer to the top spot in the Portuguese League with a 2-0 victory over Olhanense, the win leaves the Eagles just five points behind league leaders Porto who maintain a game in hand.

Benfica opened the scoring at the 42nd minute mark when Cardozo's header just trickled past the Olhanense keeper, not to be outdone by his striking partner Javier Saviola scored late in the second half when a Carlos Martins corner found Saviola's head then the twine.