In the 40th edition of the Mário Saldanha Basketball Super Cup, Benfica offered its fans a real early Christmas gift by categorically winning the competition played at Pavilhão Mário Mexia, in Coimbra.
The Eagles took control of the operations early and rarely let go of the scoreboard. After a balanced start, Benfica accelerated in the first quarter and built a solid lead, reaching half-time leading 46-36.
For the president of the Portuguese Basketball Federation, Manuel Fernandes, in sporting terms “Benfica started the game very well, Porto still managed to recover, but in the second half Benfica started much better. Basketball is like that. Any team could win, but Benfica was a fair winner.”
But what is certain is that the second half confirmed the superiority embodied in this Super Cup, with the Lisbon team always maintaining the difference above a dozen points and even reaching a maximum advantage of 30already in the last period.
The big figure of the night was the North American winger Justice Sueing, distinguished as MVP of the competition. With a complete performance, he added 19 points, 15 rebounds and two steals, being decisive in both attack and defense. Alongside him, João “Betinho” Gomes also shone, with 16 points, Aaron Broussard and Eugene Crandall, both with 12, in a team that worked harmoniously and effectively.
On the FC Porto side, Jhonathan Dunn was the most inspired player, with 19 points, but the Dragons were never able to counter the pace set by their opponent, ending up giving in to Benfica’s intensity and organization.
With this triumph, the team led by Norberto Alves recovers the Super Cup lost in the previous season precisely against the Porto fans and reinforces its status as the most titled club in the competition, achieving the 16th trophy. This is also the Reds’ ninth victory in the last 16 editions of the competition, a record that confirms the Eagles’ recent hegemony on the national scene.
“We had some fear because we played in the middle of the week for the Champions League, in Spain. I’m afraid about the physical aspects, whether or not they could be decisive. In the first half, we tried to rotate the team a lot so that we would have more energy in the final half”, said the winning coach.
Norberto Alves explained the strategy he usually uses with his players, highlighting the collective aspects in preparing for matches and also during the competition: “We have to play collectively both defending and attacking. The philosophy we convey is that collectively things are always easier. But we know the season will be difficult. No one can get in trouble with anything”, he concluded.
More than a trophy, Benfica closes the year with a clear demonstration of strength, leaving a strong message for the rest of the season – and offering its fans a Christmas with a taste of victory.
Regarding the organization of the race in Coimbra, and even with the weather not helping, Manuel Fernandes told DN that “it was fantastic”: “We really enjoyed having the president of Benfica and the vice-president of Porto’s amateur sports with us. There was great dynamism and I’m sure that basketball is on the fast track, but it’s going to get even more so. The public is hand in hand with the sport.”
Manuel Fernandes highlighted the number of fans that has increased in the pavilions and everyone’s connection with the national teams. “It’s very comforting to see how everyone identifies with our players.”