Benfica Eagles claim Portuguese men’s league title for fifth straight year
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Sport LISBOA e Benfica have triumphed as Portuguese men’s national champions for the 12th time and the fifth straight season* by beating Sporting Clube de Portugal 3-1 (25-21, 16-25, 25-15, 25-23) in Lisbon in what was the fifth and last matchup scheduled for the championship series of the Una Seguros League. Benfica André Aleixo and Felipe Banderó, both with 17 points, and Sporting Lucas Vanberkel and Wagner Silva, with 13 apiece, were the final game’s top scorers.
After winning the Super Cup at the start of the 2023/2024 season, the Eagles of Benfica secured their fifth straight triumph and are now only one title behind Instituto Superior Técnico (13, seven of which were claimed in a streak) and six behind Sporting Clube de Espinho (18). On the other hand, Sporting Clube de Portugal have six national league titles to their name.
At the end, Benfica coach Marcel Matz highlighted: “I never thought I would get this far [five-time champion] and I am very grateful for the work of the players in what was another very tough year. Congratulations to Sporting, who were always a tough and worthy opponent.”
Tiago Violas“Congratulations to the Sporting team, as they had a great final and a great championship. We knew it was going to be difficult, even though we were more consistent in the regular season and secured the home advantage, which, as we predicted, ended up being very important, as it was proven throughout this final playoff. We are all to be congratulated. It was a very difficult season, but it is also a triumph entirely deserved for our attitude throughout the whole championship.”
Setter of Benfica
João Coelho, Sporting head coach, acknowledged: “Congratulations to Benfica. Our opponents in the final are a very experienced team and deserved the victory. We gave everything this season and came a long way, perhaps too long, to be able to stand here. We played at eye level until the last point, and I think our players deserved to play a fifth set. We left the court with our heads held high, with great pride in these guys. We gave Benfica a run for their money; the title was close, but it ended up going our opponent’s way.”
*Sport LISBOA e Benfica have won the last five editions of the national league. The title was not awarded in 2020 following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and abrupt end to that season.