The Portugeezer

From the home of Mourinho, Ronaldo and Xavier

Sergio Santos

Could uncertain future undermine Braga's shot at glory?

It was in a small trattoria in Rome, near the walls of the Vatican City, that the Portugeezer watched the second leg of Braga and Benfica’s Europa League semifinal. With Porto already all but booking their...
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Porto aim to sink the Yellow Submarine and force an all-Portuguese final

Portuguese football is on the brink of making history this Thursday, as Porto, Benfica and Braga all continue the fight for a ticket to Dublin for next month's Europa League final. History in the making...
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Villas-Boas leaves Benfica in his wake but Porto the real 'Special Ones'

For a fair few months before they sealed the title it had been a matter of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ Porto would clinch their 25th league crown, and the Dragons returned to the throne of Portuguese football...
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Sporting prepare for a new dawn after Lopes exposes flawed system

At six o’clock in the morning and not without some controversy, Sporting unveiled the man they hope can take them back to where they believe they belong after one of the most disputed elections in recent...
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Braga upset the odds as Portugal look to conquer Europe

Portugal capped a memorable European night as all three teams involved in Europa League action progressed to the quarterfinals. Benfica and Porto went into the second leg of their respective ties with...
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Braga finally end Benfica's faint title hopes

After an 18-match winning run, Benfica’s faint title hopes were effectively crushed on March 6, when they were defeated 2-1 at Braga. It was another ‘final’ for the Eagles who were hoping to heap some...
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A perfect night in Portugal’s European odyssey

It was a flawless Thursday for the Portuguese trio still in the Europa League. Porto, Braga and Benfica won their matches to not only get ahead in their last 16 ties, but also contribute more points to...
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End of the line for Sporting

Matches between Benfica and Sporting rarely mean nothing, but both teams went into the League Cup semi-final clash at Estádio da Luz with plenty riding on the result. For Benfica, it was a chance to maintain...
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What next for Portugal's Europa League trio?

One minute: that’s all it can take to ruin a perfect night. Four Portuguese teams played in the last 32 of the Europa League, but only three managed to go through to the next round. You don’t need to be...
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Benfica keep faint title hopes alive as Beavers maintain Euro push

Sporting and Benfica locked horns for another intense derby, as table-toppers Porto were cooly awaiting the outcome of the match having already snuck in their own Round 20 match back on January 26. For...
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Portuguese minnows looking to emulate Wigan Athletic

It’s quite amazing to think that as recently as the 2006/07 season, FC Arouca were playing regional football – a level similar to England’s Conference – but five years and four promotions later they’re...
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Portuguese quartet still in Europa contention after a mixed night

For Portugal to have four teams in the Last 32 of the Europa League is quite some accomplishment - even if two of them were demoted from the Champions League. And looking at recent history, one cannot...
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The Minister tells all and leaves Sporting seeking a new strategy

Costinha last week rocked Portuguese football - and in particular, Sporting - when he gave a candid, tell-all interview to Sport TV . The now former Director of Football was anything but coy as the interviewer...
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Is the tide turning on Porto after cup defeat to Benfica?

Back in August when Benfica and Porto locked horns for the Portuguese Super Cup, most pundits tipped the Eagles to win the match. After all, they had been crowned champions and pre-season had given Jorge...
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Portugal bids farewell to the crazy-haired defender and 'the Slender One'

Amigos, the first word that comes to my mind is ‘wow’. It’s a well-documented fact that the January transfer window can spice things up but there were so many unexpected moves around Europe that one cannot...
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Jury out on Benfica's David Luiz deal, but Porto look like window winners

The Portugeezer is in agreement with Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger when it comes to the January transfer window. Prices are inflated and most good players are cup-tied for European competition, which...
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What exactly is wrong with stuttering SC Braga?

Hey, what’s wrong with you? You’re looking kinda’ down to me. Do these words sound familiar? Yup, that’s Phats & Small’s smash hit Turn Around from 1999, back when the Portugeezer was still in high...
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Bettencourt falls on his Sporting sword as front two maintain momentum

ROUND 16 RESULTS Fri 14 Jan Portimonense 0-3 Braga Sat 15 Jan Sporting 2-3 Paços Ferreira, Vitória Guimarães 1-0 Olhanense Sun 16 Jan Académica 0-1 Benfica, FC Porto 3-1 Naval, União Leiria 0-3 Beira-Mar...
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Brilliant Guarín double helps put Porto back on track

Anyone who follows the wonderful world of Portuguese football knows Porto ended 2010 undefeated. For the mainstream media though, that aura of invincibility cracked when the Dragons were stunned by a 2...
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The Portugeezer's review of 2010

As we welcome 2011 and hope things on the pitch remain at least as exciting as last year, this is perhaps as good a time as any to have one last look at the best and worst of 2010. TEAM – FC Porto Yes...
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Leiria climb to fourth as Porto end year undefeated

RESULTS Fri Dec 17 Braga 5-0 Academica Sat Dec 18 Beira-Mar 3-2 Vitoria Guimaraes, Benfica 5-2 Rio Ave Sun Dec 19 Pacos Ferreira 0-3 FC Porto, Olhanense 0-0 Nacional, Naval 0-3 Uniao de Leiria, Maritimo...
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Porto continue historic run while Sporting crash out of the cup

Last weekend saw five matches of the Last 16 of the Portuguese Cup, while Benfica and Braga, who had seen their Last 32 match postponed, played for the right to face Olhanense in the next stage. RESULTS...
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Broken promises and 'the curious case of Quim' among Benfica's problems

Before the Portuguese Cup last 16 match against Braga, Benfica manager Jorge Jesus ran the rule over the club’s dismal season . The Eagles currently trail FC Porto by eight points and had to count on Olympique...
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Sporting hold Porto in a fiery, controversial Clasico of two halves

The hype over the past week has mostly surrounded ‘El Superclasico’ between Barcelona and Real Madrid, but in Portugal there was another massive grudge-match in prospect as Sporting hosted FC Porto. LATEST...
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Braga keep the dream alive, while Benfica are stuck in a nightmare

Benfica and Braga entered the penultimate matchday of the Champions League group stages with everything to play for. But while the Minho Warriors have managed to keep their faint hopes of advancing to...
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Thumping win over neighbours overshadows Portugal's joint World Cup bid

It was supposed to be a friendly match to promote the joint bid to the 2018-2022 World Cup, but after the referee signalled the end of the match, all that mattered was how Portugal outclassed their neighbours...
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Hits & Misses: Heroic Hulk, bobbins Benfica and middling Maniche

We’re already into the 11th round of the Portuguese League, and it seems a good time to stop for a moment and acknowledge the highs and lows of the league so far. Who has been a revelation? Who is still...
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The Gods Must Be Crazy: A wacky week in Portugal

Round 10 Results: Fri Nov 5 Vitória Setúbal 3-3 Rio Ave Sat 6 Nov Portimonense 2-2 Académica, Paços Ferreira 0-1 Nacional Sun 7 Nov FC Porto 5-0 Benfica, Braga 2-3 Beira-Mar, Naval 1-1 Olhanense, Marítimo...
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Porto and Benfica prepare for November title decider

The omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent former coach of Porto Jose Mourinho called the match ‘title decider’. Current manager Andre Villas-Boas nixed the idea. Pundits argue both ways, as pundits invariably...
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Aimar turns back the clock as Liverpool eye another bad move

The past two weeks have been especially unusual in the strange world of Portuguese football, and four stories in particular have caught the Portugeezer’s attention. 1. An infamous hot-head is one step...
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How Porto stung Liverpool

It’s a well-known fact that football is a fast-paced environment and that things can change overnight. For instance, nobody expected someone as professional as Wayne Rooney to pull a ‘Judas’ and drop a...
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Braga achieve first victory ever among the elite

It was the third day of the group stages and, apart from Benfica’s slump at Lyon, it was a positive one for Portuguese football. Braga kept their dream of alive by claiming their first victory in the Champions...
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Portugal’s campaign back on track

There’s hardly a better way to describe football than that chosen by former Vitória Guimarães president Pimenta Machado; “What today is deemed as truth, tomorrow will be hold as a lie”. Having claimed...
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Portugal in bullish mood to take on Vikings

The time has come - the Paulo Bento era starts tonight as Portugal host Denmark in a match where the three points are utterly essential to the hosts' chances of booking a ticket to Eastern Europe in...
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Benfica build momentum as Dragons slip

October 4th, 11pm plus the five minutes of injury time given by the referee. That moment marked a milestone: not just the the first points Porto have dropped this season, but the end of their impressive...
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Euro football a game of two halves

Portugal’s representatives in Europe played their second continental group matches last week, and enjoyed quite differing degrees of success. Champions League If Braga learnt anything last Tuesday, it...
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Lions struggle as Dragons march on

The weekend saw Round Six of the Portuguese Liga played, and if there was anything we learnt it was that Sporting really are currently an utter shambles. After being defeated by eternal rivals Benfica...
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Mou snub a blessing in disguise

Paulo Bento was officially unveiled as the National team manager this past week, but, as is often the way in Portuguese football, it wasn’t without some late drama. In a move to divert attentions away...
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Portugal need to get Bento

In one of the football world’s worst kept secrets, former Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz is now also former Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz. Back on June 29, following a lackluster showing...
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Portugal suffering Cypriot hangover

Portugal kicked-off their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign on Friday evening with a 4-4 home draw against Cyprus, a result that, while not a disaster per-se, left an entire nation frustrated. The optimist...
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Euro draws favour Portuguese quartet

The play-off round of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League witnessed fairytale endings for Braga and Sporting, with both teams overcoming the odds to go through. Braga stunned half of Europe by...
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Phenomenal Braga keep making history

Back in May, after playing against Paços de Ferreira, Braga claimed a ticket to the qualifying stages of the Champions League and at the end of the match, Hendel’s “Zadok the Priest” adaptation – which...
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Porto set early pace as rivals struggle

In a second round of fixtures with very few goals – an embarrassing total of 10 – there were a few interesting results. Benfica went to Nacional to redeem themselves after their shocking home collapse...
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Why Benfica are struggling

Benfica suffered yet another defeat last Saturday and while it's too early to write them off as title contenders, the warning bells are already ringing. It's quite amazing that not long ago everything...
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Braga continue to do the impossible

Amigos, it is getting harder by the day to find superlatives that can do justice to Braga’s performances. Two weeks ago the Arsenalistas finished their Scottish job with a 4-2 aggregate success over Celtic...
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Lisbon neighbours off to a bad start

The 2010/11 season may have just started but its opening weekend already offered a few surprises. There were four away successes, but the highlights of the round were defeats for both Benfica and Sporting...
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Porto starting new season on a high

Enough of pre-season matches and never-ending debates on whether this or that team is stronger than last year. The start of the ‘exciting-at-times’ Liga Zon Sagres is upon us, so it’s finally time to get...
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Porto give Benfica plenty to ponder

Perhaps for the first time in recent years, Porto went to a match against Benfica as clear underdogs, as the two sides did battle for the Supercup on Saturday evening. Having finished in third place and...
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The swashbuckling Supercup preview

Benfica and Porto lock horns on Saturday at Aveiro in the hors d’oeuvres for the 2010/2011 feast: the Portuguese Supercup. There is more than a trophy at stake as these two teams – on paper, the clear...
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Avoiding second season syndrome

Second season syndrome is a common malaise in football. Usually, after enjoying an above average season, teams or players are not able to handle the increased expectations and end up disappointing in the...
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Swapping crown jewels for silverware

If last summer you told a Sporting fan the Lions would be selling the crown jewels of their academy, he or she would probably burst out laughing in disbelief. However, after completing the sale of Miguel...
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'Little' Braga humble Celtic

Regardless of what they achieved last season, many have immediately written off Braga’s chances of fighting for the title this season or even reaching the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. It...
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Can Benfica seal another title?

OK folks, the Portugeezer is back from his off-season duties and ready to start looking forward to 2010/11. And while teams are still trying to identify the last pieces of their jigsaw, the first pre-season...
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Sporting face Moutinho sale backlash

Remember when Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was on the verge of moving to Chelsea in 2005? Despite having been a Liverpool supporter his whole life, Gerrard admitted he considered it because he thought...
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Benfica splash cash on new keeper

With the World Cup hogging the spotlight, it’s trickier to effectively report on the domestic developments. Nevertheless, the latest juicy bit from Portugal is too good to pass up and a flabbergasted Portugeezer...
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Claudia Schiffer, Mark Knopfler and 30 years of Portuguese madness

What do Kevin Keegan and Sousa Cintra have in common? They both suffer from ‘foot-in-mouth’ syndrome and down the years have provided some one-liners that already belong to the Comedy Hall of Fame. Colourful...
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Porto see off Chaves to end tough season on a high

It has been 11 years since we have seen GD Chaves in the Portuguese top flight. The historical club from Trás-os-Montes is today a mere shadow of its former self and the time when Chaves were regarded...
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Has Queiroz caused problems for himself with his World Cup selection?

When Carlos Queiroz announced his 24-men squad – not a typo, it’s just that the national coach will later drop one unlucky spare wheel – few were expecting big surprises, as 90% of the team is a no-brainer...
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Benfica seal title as question marks already surround Sporting-bound Sergio

At last Liga Sagres has a winner, and (…drum roll…) it is Benfica ! Over 64,000 supporters packed Estádio da Luz to see their team being crowned 2009/10 Champions and when Paraguayan hitman Óscar Cardozo...
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Only Benfica capitulation save Braga's title dream

RESULTS Sun May 02: Rio Ave 0-0 Vitória Guimarães, Marítimo 2-0 Vitória Setúbal, Porto 3-1 Benfica, Belenenses 5-2 Leiria, Olhanense 1-0 Leixões, Sporting 0-1 Naval, Académica 3-3 Nacional, Braga 1-0 Paços...
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Braga keep up the pressure on Benfica as title race hots up

RESULTS Fri Apr 23: Rio Ave 0-0 Marítimo; Sat Apr 24: Vitória Setúbal 2-5 Porto, Benfica 5-0 Olhanense; Sun Apr 25: Nacional 1-1 Paços Ferreira, Leixões 1-3 Académica, Naval 0-4 Braga, Leiria 1-1 Sporting;...
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Benfica edge closer to title after derby success

RESULTS Tue Apr 13: Benfica 2-0 Sporting; Mon Apr 12: Vitória Setúbal 1-1 Académica; Sun Apr 11 : Marítimo 3-3 Belenenses, Leixões 2-0 Paços Ferreira, Vitória Guimarães 1-1 Olhanense; Sat Apr 10 : Leiria...
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Much-hyped Benfica look to come of age at Anfield

Benfica face Liverpool tonight in one of the biggest matches in their recent history. At the legendary Anfield, the Eagles are fighting for more than a place in the Europa League semi-finals; they’re fighting...
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Return of the Incredible Hulk overshadows Carvalhal exit

Last week Benfica beat Braga 1-0 in the all-important title battle and cemented their position as big favourites to be crowned Portuguese Champions. The match was far from exciting but overall Benfica...
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A cracking weekend that changed little

It is not every day Liga Sagres sees so many goals in just one round, but last weekend offered a tally of 26 goals, which is even more impressive when considering that two matches ended in a 0-0 draw....
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Why Liverpool will lose to Benfica this evening

Benfica play Liverpool tonight in the quarterfinals the Europa League, but while many will rate the English side as favourites, the Portugeezer thinks otherwise. Liverpool areof course a very good team...
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Benfica outclass hapless Porto to retain League Cup

Porto and Benfica met in the cobweb-filled Algarve stadium for the final of the Carlsberg Cup, Portugal’s League Cup. The competition may have been small for the ever-thrilling Clássico, but there was...
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Eagles soar into last eight as Atletico tame toothless Lions

All eyes were on the Lisbon rivals last Thursday, as they both resumed their Europa League journey. There was still all to play for as Sporting had held Atlético Madrid to a 0-0 draw, while Benfica were...
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Sporting lead the way in Europe as Dragons slain

And then there were two. Porto, Sporting and Benfica continued their European journey last week, but it was end of the line for the Dragons who were unable to hold to their narrow 2-1 lead against Arsenal...
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Extinguished Dragons snuffed out of title race

There are still eight matches to go, but after a disappointing home draw against Olhanense it's fair to assume that Porto are out of the title race. It looks like for the first time since 2005, the...
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China crisis: Five reasons why Portugal failed

Portugal hosted China last Wednesday in a World Cup warm-up match and won 2-0, but the performance was anything but convincing and it raised more questions than it answered. Here’s why: 1) The match was...
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The week: Super Sporting hammer hapless Porto

Round 21 results Fri Feb 26 Leiria 0-1 Guimarães Sat Feb 27 Naval 2-1 Marítimo, Braga 3-1 Olhanense, Leixões 0-4 Benfica Sun Feb 28 Paços Ferreira 5-3 Setúbal, Académica 0-1 Rio Ave, Sporting 3-0 Porto...
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Are Sporting a big club or not?

Brilliant. Surprising. Undisputed. Three adjectives that could briefly and accurately describe Sporting CP’s Europa League performance against Everton last Thursday. With the tie delicately poised after...
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Brave Braga lose top spot as Porto hit top form

The Portugeezer may have been away for a short spiritual retreat, but Portuguese football didn’t stop. So let's recap what has happened over these past 10 days. Highlights from Liga Sagres Benfica...
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Sporting plummet as Braga show their strength

ROUND 18 RESULTS: Sat Feb 6 Sporting 1-2 Académica, Setúbal 1-1 Benfica Sun Feb 7 Olhanense 1-0 Nacional, Marítimo 1-0 União de Leiria, Rio Ave 2-0 Leixões, Guimarães 1-2 Paços Ferreira, Porto 3-0 Naval...
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Dragons roast Lions - plus more tunnel funny stuff

When Porto hosted Sporting in the Portuguese Cup quarter-finals, both teams wanted to prove a point. The Dragons had emphatically won at Nacional while Sporting were dealt a major title blow at Braga,...
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Sporting out of the title race as Braga show credentials

Round 17 Results: Fri Jan 29 Braga 1-0 Sporting Sat Jan 30 Naval 1-0 Belenenses, União de Leiria 2-0 Olhanense, Nacional 0-4 Porto, Benfica 3-1 Vitória Guimarães Sun Jan 31 Vitória Setúbal 2-2 Rio Ave...
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Punches, prostitutes, payments & phonetaps

The Portuguese League has always enjoyed its share of controversy: corruption suspicions, never-ending accusations of biased refereeing and puzzling decision-making by its governing bodies. This season...
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Why Baia's better than Shilton (and many others)

Last week the International Federation of Football History and Statistics released its All-Time World Goalkeeping Ranking – although in this instance "all-time" means from 1987 to 2009. Time...
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Porto stumble as Sporting build momentum

Round 16 Results: Sun Jan 17: Belenenses 1-3 Leixões , Rio Ave 0-2 União Leiria, Académica 0-2 Braga, Marítimo 0-5 Benfica; Sat Jan 16: Olhanense 1-0 Naval, Vitória Guimarães 2-2 Vitória Setúbal, Porto...
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The Portugeezer's Midseason Awards

Liga Sagres is halfway through and it has certainly witnessed some entertaining moments ranging from injury-time winners to Premier League-style goal-fests. And so, it's now time for The Portugeezer...
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Impressive Arsenalistas and a rampant Rabbit

The first round of 2010 – which also signals the end of the first half of the season – didn’t bring many surprises, with the rain that has been hitting Portugal contributing for a lukewarm weekend. Still...
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The Portuguese Liga team of the decade

As a new decade begins, and in response to Riccardo Rossi's Serie Aaaaargh! Team of the Noughties , The Portugeezer looks back to put together the best team in the Portuguese league over the last 10...
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New Year's revelations in the transfer market

FFT.com's Portugal correspondent Sérgio Santos on the most hectic transfer market in Europe... People say that with a new year there’s a new beginning and 2010 is already witnessing a lot of activity...
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Why Everton are a better bet than Arsenal

With Porto playing Arsenal, Sporting playing Everton and Benfica battling Berlin, The Portugeezer looks at his compatriots' chances in the European knockouts... The Champions League and Europa League...
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Matchday 13: Title race going down to the wire

Round 13 Results: Mon Dec 14: Belenenses 0-1 Vitória Guimarães. Sun Dec 13: Académica 2-0 Leixões, Marítimo 0-1 Rio Ave, Braga 0-0 Naval, FC Porto 2-0 Vitória Setúbal. Sat Dec 12: Sporting 0-1 União de...
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Benfica: Where does the money come from?

When Benfica supremo Luis Filipe Vieira announced in October that the club would not only retain its major players but also invest during the January transfer window, he sent two signals to the footballing...
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Dragons emerge as title fight tightens

ROUND 12 RESULTS Mon Dec 7 Vitória Setúbal 0-2 Sporting, União de Leiria 1-2 Nacional Sun Dec 6 Marítimo 5-2 Olhanense, Benfica 4-0 Académica Sat Dec 5 Naval 1-0 Paços de Ferreira, Rio Ave 0-0 Belenenses...
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Group G is for Gruelling, not death

Sometimes, prayers can be answered. After saying Portugal would benefit from a ‘Group of Death’ draw , The Portugeezer watched as Carlos Queiroz's man were paired with Brazil, Ivory Coast and North...
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Why Portugal would benefit from Group of Death draw

All eyes will be on South Africa today to see what the 2010 World Cup draw holds in store for the 32 qualified teams. The official announcement of the seedings confirmed that we’re in for some intriguing...
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Derby and moan as Lisbon lacks fizzle

Round 11 Results: Mon Nov 30 Sporting Braga 2-0 União de Leiria Sun Nov 29 Académica 3-0 Vitória Setúbal, Paços de Ferreira 1-1 Leixões, Belenenses 2-2 Marítimo, FC Porto 2-1 Rio Ave Sat Nov 28 Nacional...
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The biggest derby of the weekend

Amigos, this weekend will bring you one of the biggest matches in the footballing world. And I'm not talking about Liverpool vs Everton, Arsenal vs Chelsea, Aberdeen vs Rangers or even Barcelona vs...
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Cup time: Gallant Guimaraes vanquish Goliath Benfica

Everyone loves to watch David vs Goliath match-ups, especially those that have the underdog claiming a surprising win at the end. Round 4 of the Portuguese Cup was far from spectacular, but it witnessed...
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Carvalhal unveiled as Sporting manager

In a rather surprising turn of events, Carlos Carvalhal has been appointed as the new manager of the Lions. Carvalhal – who was sacked from CS Marítimo earlier this season after a poor run of results ...
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Goodbye Bosnia, hello South Africa!

Portugal finally reached the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa after seeing off Bosnia-Herzegovina with a 2-0 aggregate success. The Bosnians were looking to record what would have been an incredible...
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Half time: Advantage Portugal

Well, Portugal did manage to win and without conceding a goal, but a 1-0 victory means everything is still to play for. With both sides fancying their chances to reach the World Cup, the only thing certain...
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The Portugeezer's perilous play-off preview

On Saturday, Portugal begin their play-off against Bosnia & Herzegovina. I won’t claim the Balkans were the team to avoid in the draw – that was Ireland – but they are still capable of giving the Selecção...
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Who's next for this Sporting life?

In a moment that has been flash-forwarded countless times, Paulo Bento has resigned as Sporting CP manager. Even though Bento had the backing of club president Eduardo Bettencourt, the pressure was insurmountable...
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An emotional rollercoaster of a matchday

RESULTS: Mon Nov 9: Benfica 1-0 Naval 1º de Maio Sun Nov 8: Leixões 2-4 Nacional , Marítimo 1-0 Porto , Rio Ave 2-2 Sporting Lisbon , União de Leiria 1-1 Académica Sat Nov 7: Vitória Guimarães 1-0 Sporting...
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European Matchday 4: Well done Portugal

Matchday 4 of the European competitions is over and the rubble is starting to settle. Again, the Portuguese teams did well in the main. FC Porto guaranteed qualification for the Champions League knock...
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Braga get bragging rights, Sporting's Bento gets bent

ROUND 9 RESULTS Monday Nov 2: Académica 2 - 0 Vitória Guimarães Sunday Nov 1: Olhanense 0 - 1 Rio Ave , Paços de Ferreira 0 - 1 União de Leiria , Nacional 2 - 1 Vitória Setúbal , Sporting Lisbon 1 - 1...
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The Big Braga-Benfica Bunfight Weekend Preview

Round 9 of the Portuguese League is about to start and looking at the battles that will take place over the country, it will provide some interesting insights. Are Braga genuine title contenders? Do Benfica...
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Portugal's fab four on the European front

The latest European round produced a decent showing from the four Portuguese teams. None of the results were particularly shocking, but Benfica still managed an eye-catching result that might put Europa...
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A cupful of joy

The midweek attention may have been on continental competition but in this blog we're looking at last weekend's Portuguese Cup Third Round – the stage at which the top-flight sharks join the competition...
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Working out the play-off contenders

To have a chance of reaching the World Cup finals, Portugal knew they had to win against Hungary on Saturday. And guess what? They did so comfortably, 3-0, with a polished performance against a team that...
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Breaking through the glass ceiling

Guess who's the only team to achieve a perfect haul of 18 points from the first six games in Liga Sagres. No, not them. No, not them either. Or them. That fact that SC Braga top the league is even...
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The breakdown of Atlético’s breakdown

INVASION! Ahead of the FC Porto vs Atletico Madrid game, Tim Stannard of FFT.com blog La Liga Loca crosses the border to describe the weirdness that is Atletico Madrid The original mission the FourFourTwo...
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The Curious Case of Freddy Adu

Just like Brad Pitt’s life in the 2008 movie “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, Freddy Adu’s career seems to be moving backwards. At the tender age of 14, the American forward was regarded as one of...
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Portuguese League: State of the Nation

After four games, the Portuguese League is starting to take shape. Not many would have predicted that SC Braga would be the only team to register a 100 percent record, but the ‘Arsenalistas’ seem to be...
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2009/10: A European Odyssey

Even though it’s not the remake of Stanley Kubrick's groundbreaking sci-fi movie, the race to the millions provided by continental competitions is still a very important event for every team. The group...
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Five reasons why Portugal will fail to qualify

Winds of change are starting to blow through Portugal after the national team failed to win against group leaders Denmark. The Selecção played well in Copenhagen, raining in 34 shots as Brazil-born Liedson...
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The Usual Suspects part three: Benfica

Team Name: SL Benfica Nickname: The Eagles Introduction The third of Portugal's Os Tres Grandes (The Big Three, or for our purposes, The Usual Suspects) is SL Benfica, perhaps the biggest club in Portugal...
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The Usual Suspects part two: Sporting

Team Name: Sporting CP Nickname: The Lions Introduction OK folks, time for Sporting CP, last season’s runners-up. Though the summer has seen little activity off the field, the team has already had to overcome...
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The Usual Suspects part one: Porto

Team Name: FC Porto Nickname: The Dragons As promised, here I start a series of posts providing a more in-depth analysis of the title contenders in Portugal, the so-called ‘Big Three’. Can an outsider...
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Portuguese 101

Before I delve any deeper into the Portuguese League, I thought it may be of use to give you all an overview of how football is organised here. Currently, there are 4 main competitions: Portuguese League...
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Bloga Bonito

Hi folks, there's a new blog in town. From Oporto to the world, 'The Portugeezer' will provide you with a genuine insight on the often-overlooked world of Portuguese football. I won’t try to...
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Spotlight

75% of all TV is Bale

He's here, he's there, he's...

On the road to ruin

The cost of Premier League away travel