2013.05.31 - The Result

FRANCE: Coupe de France (Final)

21:00 -- Evian - Bordeaux 2-3     highlights
[0-1]  39' Cheick Diabate
[1-1]  51' Yannick Sagbo
[1-2]  53' Henri Saivet
[2-2]  70' Brice Dja Dje Dje
[2-3]  89' Cheick Diabate

The Icing on the Cake of Shame

Three trophies. Three trophies that Benfica could have won. And maybe should have won.

But they won none.

Not even the one in which they faced a team like Vitoria Guimaraes in the final.

We're not talking Porto or Chelsea anymore. We're talking losing a final against the likes of 9th-place Guimaraes.

No doubt about it, Jorge Jesus has got to go.

Either that, or Benfica's leadership is full of suckers, to put it mildly.

Highlights:

2013.05.26 - The Results

PORTUGAL: Taca de Portugal (Final)

18:15 -- Benfica - Guimaraes 1-2     highlights
[1-0]  30' Nicolas Gaitan
[1-1]  79' El-Arbi Soudani
[1-2]  81' Ricardo Pereira



ITALY: Coppa Italia (Final)

18:00 -- Roma - Lazio 0-1     highlights
71' Senad Lulic

2013.05.25 - The Results

BULGARIA: A PFG

17:00 -- Beroe - Minyor Pernik 1-0 (1-0)
(17:00) -- Botev Plovdiv - Etar 3-0   (awarded)
17:00 -- Cherno More - Botev Vratsa 1-1 (1-0)
17:00 -- Chernomorets Burgas - Litex Lovech 0-0
17:00 -- Levski Sofia - Slavia Sofia 1-1     highlights
[1-0]  33' Basile De Carvalho
[1-1]  74' Dimitar Vezalov (o.-g.)
17:00 -- Lokomotiv Sofia - CSKA Sofia 2-1 (2-0)
17:00 -- Montana - Ludogorets 0-3     highlights
30' Svetoslav Dyakov
68' Mihail Aleksandrov
76' Mihail Aleksandrov
17:00 -- Pirin Gotse Delchev - Lokomotiv Plovdiv 2-1 (0-1)

Final standings:
1 Ludogorets  30 22 6 2 58-13 +45  72p
2 Levski Sofia  30 22 5 3 59-20 +39  71p
3 CSKA Sofia  30 19 6 5 54-20 +34  63p



CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: final

20:45 -- borussia d. - bayern 1-2

What a Slavic(/a) Turnaround!

Slavia Sofia.

I guess it's not just Levski and CSKA who have a major rivalry in the city of Sofia, but also Levski and Slavia.

This much smaller team (than Levski and CSKA) stopped their rivals' title charge with only 15 minutes or so left in the season!

But what they basically did was to hold on.

Vezalov's own goal, though, was pure and sheer stupidity.
He probably will be let go for that mistake.
The way Levski's own fans feel about that player is probably going to rival now how Real Madrid fans regard pepe. (Only, most likely, Vezalov is not the traitor pepe is.)

To sum it up, Slavia's point in this match means Ludogorets is in the lead once again, but this time at the finish line, by one point. They have beaten Montana, 3-0 away.
And thus Ludogorets is Bulgarian champion, 2012-2013.

Highlights from Levski-Slavia:
 
Highlights from Montana-Ludogorets:

2013.05.22 - The Results

BULGARIA: A PFG

17:00 -- Botev Vratsa - Montana 3-1 (1-1)
(17:00) -- Etar - Levski Sofia 0-3   (awarded)
17:00 -- Litex Lovech - Lokomotiv Sofia 1-2 (1-1)
17:00 -- Lokomotiv Plovdiv - Beroe 1-2 (0-0)
17:00 -- Minyor Pernik - Cherno More 0-2 (0-0)
17:00 -- Slavia Sofia - Chernomorets Burgas 3-0 (0-0)
19:00 -- CSKA Sofia - Pirin Gotse Delchev 3-0 (1-0)
19:00 -- Ludogorets - Botev Plovdiv 2-0     highlights
8' Ivan Stoyanov (pen.)
20' Ivan Stoyanov

Current standings:
1 Levski Sofia  29 22 4 3 58-19 +39  70p
2 Ludogorets  29 21 6 2 55-13 +42  69p
3 CSKA Sofia  29 19 6 4 53-18 +35  63p



TURKEY: Cup (Final)

19:45 -- Fenerbahce - Trabzonspor 1-0     highlights
9' Moussa Sow

No Great Effort from Pacos de Ferreira

FC Porto is the new champion of the Portuguese Primeira Liga!

Sure, they are good, but how is a match between the first- and third-placed teams going to be so dull and unidirectional?

Pacos de Ferreira did practically nothing to try to stop Porto from winning.

Now, that's a shame!

Highlights:
 
Highlights from Benfica-Moreirense:

2013.05.19 - The Results

PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga

19:30 -- Beira Mar - Sporting 1-4 (0-3)
19:30 -- Benfica - Moreirense 3-1     highlights
[0-1]  43' Vinicius Oliveira
[1-1]  50' Oscar Cardozo
[2-1]  80' Lima
[3-1]  90' + 3' Lima (pen.)
19:30 -- Gil Vicente - Estoril 1-3 (1-0)
19:30 -- Guimaraes - Rio Ave 0-1 (0-0)
19:30 -- Nacional - Academica 2-1 (1-0)
19:30 -- Olhanense - Maritimo 0-0
19:30 -- Pacos de Ferreira - Porto 0-2     highlights
23' Luis Gonzalez (pen.)
52' Jackson Martinez
19:30 -- Setubal - Braga 0-1 (0-1)

Final standings:
1 Porto  30 24 6 0 70-14 +56  78p
2 Benfica  30 24 5 1 77-20 +57  77p
3 Pacos de Ferreira  30 14 12 4 42-29 +13  54p
4 Braga  30 16 4 10 60-44 +16  52p
5 Estoril  30 13 6 11 47-37 +10  45p



BULGARIA: A PFG

14:45 -- Beroe - CSKA Sofia 0-1 (0-0)
17:00 -- Pirin Gotse Delchev - Litex Lovech 0-2 (0-1)

Current standings:
1 Levski Sofia  28 21 4 3 55-19 +36  67p
2 Ludogorets  28 20 6 2 53-13 +40  66p
3 CSKA Sofia  28 18 6 4 50-18 +32  60p

Saved After the 90th Minute Again

There have been at least three matches recently (- even the one against bitter rivals CSKA -) in which Levski won (tremendously important points) right at the death.

But none was so important as the derby for the title against new up-and-comers Ludogorets Razgrad.

Minute 90 + 2 was when Mitchell Burgzorg scored the goal which completely turns the tables.
From 2 points behind, Levski Sofia is now 1 point ahead.

And they have two more matches to play, out of which one will be awarded to Levski (because they're playing Etar away) and the last one takes place at home.

So, Levski fans must be ecstatic at their team's resiliency and luck.
They're probably cheering for the next Bulgarian football champion.

Highlights:

2013.05.18 - The Results

BULGARIA: A PFG

16:30 -- Botev Plovdiv - Botev Vratsa 5-0 (3-0)
17:00 -- Cherno More - Lokomotiv Plovdiv 3-0 (2-0)
17:00 -- Montana - Minyor Pernik 2-0 (1-0)
(17:00) -- Slavia Sofia - Etar 3-0   (awarded)
19:00 -- Chernomorets Burgas - Lokomotiv Sofia 3-1 (0-0)
19:00 -- Levski Sofia - Ludogorets 1-0     highlights
90' + 2' Mitchell Burgzorg

Current standings:
1 Levski Sofia  28 21 4 3 55-19 +36  67p
2 Ludogorets  28 20 6 2 53-13 +40  66p
3 CSKA Sofia  27 17 6 4 49-18 +31  57p

No Trophies for Real

Well, after bouncing out of the CL the amazing way they did, everybody knew Real players would find it hard to pull together as a team and beat Atletico Madrid.

Of course, Real was theoretically the better team, but Atletico had their internal cohesion working to give them a significant moral boost.

And that is exactly what led them to victory in extra time.

With the score staying 1-1 for more than an hour, not counting breaks, mental strength began to play a big part.
Everybody on the Real side even seemed that they could not wait to get the last important match of the season over with, so they could focus on their internal dissensions some more.

As well, this defeat surely has put the final nail in Jose Mourinho 's RM managerial coffin. Next year, The Chosen One will be choosing elsewhere.

Highlights:

2013.05.17 - The Result

SPAIN: Copa del Rey (Final)

21:30 -- Real Madrid - Atletico Madrid 1-1, 1-2 after extra time     highlights
[1-0]  14' Cristiano Ronaldo
[1-1]  35' Diego Costa
[1-2]  98' Miranda

Injury Time Again!

Wow!
It's a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad time to be a Benfica supporter.

The Portuguese team played somewhat better than Chelsea (whose players were unusually timid, in a manner reminiscent of last year's Champions League final).

Against the run of play, however, Chelsea opened the scoring, following a counter-attack well finalized by Fernando Torres, on the hour mark.

But Benfica did not despair, and got their chance, from the spot, only 8 minutes later, through Cardozo.

Just when it seemed that the match was destined for extra time, in the last minute of injury time, Branislav Ivanovic, the excellent Serbian defender who scored so many headed goals for Chelsea since he came to the team -- Jorge Jesus, you couldn't have seen something like that coming, could you? Of course you couldn't!... -- rose majestically to score.
The ball really could have gone anywhere, but in hindsight the header placed the ball perfectly. It was not a powerful, direct header, but it was a touch that made sure nothing could interfere with the trajectory of the ball.

And, so, Benfica fails to win the triple, from even the very first trophy-winning attempt. Maybe they should try to see if they can get Jupp Heynckes.

But, for Chelsea, it's a great time.
Chelsea is now, for a few days, the holder of both the Champions League and the Europa League.
Their fans are enjoying this to the max, for sure.

Highlights:

2013.05.15 - The Results

EUROPA LEAGUE: Final

20:45 -- Benfica - Chelsea 1-2     highlights
[0-1]  60' Fernando Torres
[1-1]  68' Oscar Cardozo (pen.)
[1-2]  90' + 3' Branislav Ivanovic



BULGARIA: Cup (Final)

16:30 -- Beroe - Levski Sofia 3-3, 3-3 after extra time, 3-1 on penalties, 6-4 total score (including penalties scored)     match highlights   penalty shoot-out highlights
[1-0]  16' Elio Martins
[1-1]  24' Iliyan Yordanov
[2-1]  28' Elio Martins
[3-1]  79' Georgi Andonov
[3-2]  80' Joao Silva
[3-3]  87' Garry Mendes Rodrigues

Crazy Penalties

Nobody expected Levski Sofia to not win the Bulgarian Cup final against a Beroe team hovering around mid-table.

But the minnows took a 1-0 lead, and then a 3-1 lead, which they held until 10 minutes from the end. Only then the would-be champions woke up.

Levski tied the score, with 3 minutes to spare, but they could not win it in extra time.

And, when it comes to penalties, it's all up for grabs.

There were penalty misses left and right. The Levski team missed their first three penalties! (Their coach must have been going nuts!...)

So, Beroe, against all odds, win the Bulgarian Cup. They might play Levski again, in the Super Cup; that is, if Ludogorets does not win the title.

Highlights:

2013.05.14 - The Result

FRANCE: Coupe de France (Semifinal)

20:55 -- Troyes - Bordeaux 1-2     highlights
[1-0]  7' Jean Bahebeck
[1-1]  41' Cheick Diabate
[1-2]  63' Florian Jarjat (o.-g.)

2013.05.13 - The Results

BULGARIA: A PFG

(17:00) -- Etar - Chernomorets Burgas 0-3   (awarded)
17:00 -- Minyor Pernik - Botev Plovdiv 0-2 (0-1)
19:15 -- Lokomotiv Plovdiv - Montana 4-0 (4-0)

Current standings:
1 Ludogorets  27 20 6 1 53-12 +41  66p
2 Levski Sofia  27 20 4 3 54-19 +35  64p
3 CSKA Sofia  27 17 6 4 49-18 +31  57p

The Drama of Losing a Title at the Death

Benfica should not have lost in Oporto.
But FC Porto had one lucky break, when Kelvin decided to shoot from an unconventional position, in the 92nd minute, and that inspiration probably took the title from their bitter rivals and gave it to the team from the north.

Of course, Porto still has a hard match coming up, against 3rd-placed Pacos de Ferreira. But Pacos has nothing left to play for, because they can no longer be reached by Braga even if they lose.

Benfica has probably the easiest match of the season, against Moreirense at home, but it's all for naught if Porto wins.

Again, I just have to talk about Jorge Jesus. The image of the Benfica coach falling down on his knees after Kelvin's goal says it all. Jesus is not good enough to win titles. Benfica needs a better coach. And that's that.

Maybe if he wins the Europa League, against Chelsea, management will be lenient. But losing a title like this, to your biggest rivals, is worse than losing by 20 points, for instance.
How much longer will Jorge Jesus' incompetence be tolerated?

But maybe I shouldn't talk in advance. Maybe Pacos de Ferreira will not lose to Porto.
(Don't bet on it, though!)

Highlights:

2013.05.11 - The Results

PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga

19:15 -- Academica - Pacos de Ferreira 1-1 (0-0)
19:15 -- Braga - Nacional 1-3 (1-0)
19:15 -- Estoril - Beira Mar 2-1 (1-1)
19:15 -- Maritimo - Guimaraes 1-0 (1-0)
19:15 -- Moreirense - Setubal 2-1 (1-1)
19:15 -- Rio Ave - Gil Vicente 2-1 (1-0)
19:15 -- Sporting - Olhanense 1-0 (0-0)
21:30 -- Porto - Benfica 2-1     highlights
[0-1]  19' Lima
[1-1]  25' Maximiliano Pereira (o.-g.)
[2-1]  90' + 1' Kelvin

Current standings:
1 Porto  29 23 6 0 68-14 +54  75p
2 Benfica  29 23 5 1 74-19 +55  74p
3 Pacos de Ferreira  29 14 12 3 42-27 +15  54p
4 Braga  29 15 4 10 59-44 +15  49p
5 Estoril  29 12 6 11 44-36 +8  42p



BULGARIA: A PFG

14:30 -- Ludogorets - Slavia Sofia 2-1     highlights
[1-0]  5' Roman Bezjak
[2-0]  23' Roman Bezjak
[2-1]  70' Galin Ivanov
17:00 -- Litex Lovech - Beroe 1-2 (0-1)
17:00 -- CSKA Sofia - Cherno More 3-2 (1-2)

Current standings:
1 Ludogorets  27 20 6 1 53-12 +41  66p
2 Levski Sofia  27 20 4 3 54-19 +35  64p
3 CSKA Sofia  27 17 6 4 49-18 +31  57p



ENGLAND: FA Cup (Final)

18:15 -- Manchester C. - wigan 0-1
90' + 1' Ben Watson

Not Even An Easy Cup Final...

Mancini's Manchester City could not even score, in the FA Cup final, against a team that will probably be relegated from the Premier League.

So, no trophies for Mancini this year. And City owners are surely running out of patience for the Italian coach.

Last year, they were lucky to win the title. But they did win. They won the league title. That was huge.
Since then, Mancini made absolutely no good investments.

Among City's worst performances, losing at home to Man. U., just when they needed to win most, in the fall, was another point in their campaign when maybe Mancini needed to be fired.
But they stuck with him.

Just a few days ago, they eliminated Chelsea in the semifinals.
Surely, Wigan, in the final, would be a lot easier, everybody must have been saying.

But no! Somehow, the Manchester City squad managed to find another way to screw up an important match this season.

And in injury time, too!

So, next year, a team from the second English division might be playing in the Europa League. (Not good for England's UEFA coefficient.)

2013.05.10 - The Results

BULGARIA: A PFG

17:00 -- Botev Vratsa - Levski Sofia 1-3     highlights
[1-0]  34' Andrey Atanasov
[1-1]  35' Basile De Carvalho
[1-2]  73' Garry Mendes Rodrigues
[1-3]  90' + 3' Joao Silva
17:00 -- Lokomotiv Sofia - Pirin Gotse Delchev 0-1 (0-1)

Current standings:
1 Levski Sofia  27 20 4 3 54-19 +35  64p
2 Ludogorets  26 19 6 1 51-11 +40  63p
3 CSKA Sofia  26 16 6 4 46-16 +30  54p

Yet Another Crappy Season for PSV

What good are all those wins by large margins, against smaller teams, when you always lose in important matches?

In the league, PSV lost at home to Ajax exactly when they needed a win most. And now Ajax has just won the title.
In the cup, PSV made it all the way to the final of the Dutch cup, and then let in two crucial goals, in two minutes, which in the end cost them the trophy.
In the Europa League, they didn't even make it out of the group...

Yes, it's a fact that the Eindhoven team has underperformed this season. Their goal difference, the best out of all the teams, is all they have to show. But who really cares about goal difference when it doesn't help you win anything?

Highlights from AZ - PSV:

2013.05.09 - The Result

NETHERLANDS: KNVB Beker (Final)

18:00 -- AZ Alkmaar - PSV 2-1     highlights
[1-0]  12' Adam Maher
[2-0]  14' Jozy Altidore
[2-1]  31' Jurgen Locadia

2013.05.08 - The Results

TURKEY: Cup (Semifinals, leg 1)

18:00 -- Trabzonspor - Sivasspor 6-0, 7-2 on aggregate
38' Adrian Mierzejewski
47' Adrian Mierzejewski
53' Adrian Mierzejewski
65' Olcan Adin
72' Volkan Sen
77' Aykut Akgun
20:30 -- Fenerbahce - Eskisehirspor 1-1, 2-2 on aggregate, 1-1 after extra time, 4-1 on penalties, 5-2 total score (including penalties scored), 6-3 total aggregate score (including penalties scored)     highlights
[0-1]  17' Rodrigo Tello
[1-1]  32' Pierre Webo



FRANCE: Coupe de France (Semifinal)

21:00 -- Evian - Lorient 4-0
10' Milos Ninkovic
20' Yannick Sagbo
33' Kevin Berigaud
80' Nadjib Baouia



BULGARIA: A PFG

14:00 -- Cherno More - Litex Lovech 1-0 (1-0)
16:00 -- Botev Plovdiv - Lokomotiv Plovdiv 0-0

Current standings:
1 Ludogorets  26 19 6 1 51-11 +40  63p
2 Levski Sofia  26 19 4 3 51-18 +33  61p
3 CSKA Sofia  26 16 6 4 46-16 +30  54p

2013.05.07 - The Results

BULGARIA: A PFG

14:30 -- Montana - CSKA Sofia 1-3 (0-2)
17:00 -- Etar - Ludogorets 1-5
[0-1]  43' Svetoslav Dyakov
[0-2]  44' Svetoslav Dyakov
[0-3]  62' Ivan Stoyanov
[0-4]  70' Roman Bezjak
[0-5]  77' Ivan Stoyanov
[1-5]  90' + 1' Slawomir Cienciala
17:00 -- Slavia Sofia - Botev Vratsa 1-2 (1-1)
19:00 -- Beroe - Lokomotiv Sofia 1-1 (1-0)
19:00 -- Chernomorets Burgas - Pirin Gotse Delchev 1-0 (0-0)

Current standings:
1 Ludogorets  26 19 6 1 51-11 +40  63p
2 Levski Sofia  26 19 4 3 51-18 +33  61p
3 CSKA Sofia  26 16 6 4 46-16 +30  54p

Estoril Makes the Derby for Real

This was it. The last match that needed to be won in order to not have to worry about playing in Oporto for the title.

And, even though it was at home, Benfica failed to get the right result in it.

I can't help but think, once again, that Benfica's coach, Jorge Jesus, is not a very good coach.

Just looking at the result, one might think that Benfica was unlucky.
But, seeing the highlights, I must say that Estoril was the unlucky team. The team from the municipality of Cascais had by far the better chances, and the tying goal by Maxi Pereira was one of the few that went the other way.

So, Benfica should consider themselves lucky that they got the draw. Estoril deserved the win.

And this sets up the Porto - Benfica encounter next matchday as do-or-die for both teams.
Of course, Benfica will all but win the title with just a draw. Porto will have to win to have first chance at the title.

Highlights:

2013.05.06 - The Results

PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga

21:00 -- Benfica - Estoril 1-1     highlights
[0-1]  59' Jefferson
[1-1]  68' Maximiliano Pereira

Current standings:
1 Benfica  28 23 5 0 73-17 +56  74p
2 Porto  28 22 6 0 66-13 +53  72p
3 Pacos de Ferreira  28 14 11 3 41-26 +15  53p
4 Braga  28 15 4 9 58-41 +17  49p
5 Guimaraes  28 11 7 10 36-45 -9  40p



BULGARIA: A PFG

18:30 -- Levski Sofia - Minyor Pernik 2-1     highlights
[1-0]  63' Joao Silva
[1-1]  81' Tomislav Pavlov
[2-1]  90' Garry Mendes Rodrigues

Current standings:
1 Levski Sofia  26 19 4 3 51-18 +33  61p
2 Ludogorets  25 18 6 1 46-10 +36  60p
3 CSKA Sofia  25 15 6 4 43-15 +28  51p

2013.05.05 - The Results

PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga

17:00 -- Beira Mar - Maritimo 4-2 (2-2)
17:00 -- Olhanense - Rio Ave 1-0 (1-0)
17:00 -- Setubal - Academica 0-1 (0-0)
19:00 -- Guimaraes - Gil Vicente 3-1 (1-1)
21:15 -- Pacos de Ferreira - Sporting 1-0 (0-0)     highlights

Current standings:
1 Benfica  27 23 4 0 72-16 +56  73p
2 Porto  28 22 6 0 66-13 +53  72p
3 Pacos de Ferreira  28 14 11 3 41-26 +15  53p
4 Braga  28 15 4 9 58-41 +17  49p
5 Guimaraes  28 11 7 10 36-45 -9  40p

2013.05.04 - The Results

PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga

21:30 -- Nacional - Porto 1-3     highlights
[0-1]  10' James Rodriguez
[0-2]  20' Eliaquim Mangala
[0-3]  22' Luis Gonzalez (pen.)
[1-3]  27' Daniel Candeias (pen.)

Current standings:
1 Benfica  27 23 4 0 72-16 +56  73p
2 Porto  28 22 6 0 66-13 +53  72p
3 Pacos de Ferreira  27 13 11 3 40-26 +14  50p
4 Braga  28 15 4 9 58-41 +17  49p
5 Estoril  27 11 5 11 41-34 +7  38p



BULGARIA: A PFG

18:30 -- CSKA Sofia - Botev Plovdiv 1-0 (0-0)

Current standings:
1 Ludogorets  25 18 6 1 46-10 +36  60p
2 Levski Sofia  25 18 4 3 49-17 +32  58p
3 CSKA Sofia  25 15 6 4 43-15 +28  51p

2013.05.03 - The Results

BULGARIA: A PFG

15:15 -- Ludogorets - Chernomorets Burgas 3-0
59' Roman Bezjak
68' Ivan Stoyanov
77' Roman Bezjak
17:00 -- Botev Vratsa - Etar 2-1 (1-0)
17:00 -- Litex Lovech - Montana 2-0 (0-0)

Current standings:
1 Ludogorets  25 18 6 1 46-10 +36  60p
2 Levski Sofia  25 18 4 3 49-17 +32  58p
3 Botev Plovdiv  24 15 5 4 41-18 +23  50p



PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga

21:00 -- Moreirense - Braga 2-3 (0-2)

Current standings:
1 Benfica  27 23 4 0 72-16 +56  73p
2 Porto  27 21 6 0 63-12 +51  69p
3 Pacos de Ferreira  27 13 11 3 40-26 +14  50p
4 Braga  28 15 4 9 58-41 +17  49p
5 Estoril  27 11 5 11 41-34 +7  38p

Where Is Last Week's Fener Team?

Fenerbahce really upset Benfica last week.

But this return leg they were content only to defend. Only when they were no longer leading on aggregate, did the Turkish team pose significant threat in attack.

And Benfica did not waste time.

They started well, and after only 9 minutes Gaitan put them ahead, much to the delight of the public.

However, that enjoyment was short-lived, because Fenerbahce was awarded a penalty that shouldn't have been, 12 minutes later.
Kuyt did not care how the PK was obtained, though, and converted it coolly.

But some bad central defending from the Turks saw Benfica regain the lead, after another 12 minutes, in the 35th.

At 1-2, though, Fenerbahce was going to the final.

Nevertheless, Benfica's top goalscorer, Cardozo, the author of their second goal, had other ideas, and he made it 3-1 midway through the second half.

From here on, Fenerbahce had to press forward more, but they did not have enough firepower to get more goals. They probably shouldn't have gotten the first one, either, anyway.

As expected, the final is Chelsea - Benfica. It should be good. (Certainly better than the Champions League final this year.)

Highlights:

Job Done!

...But not without some worries.

Chelsea fans, at least, must have been at least a little scared when Salah scored in first-half injury time, punishing a complacent Chelsea defense.

Luckily for them, though, that's all Basel could muster, on a day when they needed to put the ball in the net at least one more time to advance.

Moreover, in just 9 minutes (50-59), Torres and again Moses and Luiz showed Basel why the English teams are considered some of the best in the world.

This final will most likely be Benitez's last chance to win a trophy with Chelsea.

Highlights:

2013.05.02 - The Results

EUROPA LEAGUE: Semifinals, leg 2

21:05 -- Chelsea - Basel 3-1, 5-2 on aggregate     highlights
[0-1]  45' + 1' Mohamed Salah
[1-1]  50' Fernando Torres
[2-1]  52' Victor Moses
[3-1]  59' David Luiz
21:05 -- Benfica - Fenerbahce 3-1, 3-2 on aggregate     highlights
[1-0]  9' Nicolas Gaitan
[1-1]  23' Dirk Kuyt (pen.)
[2-1]  35' Oscar Cardozo
[3-1]  66' Oscar Cardozo



BULGARIA: A PFG

14:30 -- Lokomotiv Sofia - Cherno More 0-0
16:30 -- Lokomotiv Plovdiv - Levski Sofia 0-1     highlights
38' Cristovao
17:00 -- Minyor Pernik - Slavia Sofia 2-4 (0-0)
17:00 -- Pirin Gotse Delchev - Beroe 0-0

Current standings:
1 Levski Sofia  25 18 4 3 49-17 +32  58p
2 Ludogorets  24 17 6 1 43-10 +33  57p
3 Botev Plovdiv  24 15 5 4 41-18 +23  50p

Super Match in Mexico

After a bland 0-0 result in the first leg, Monterrey and Santos Laguna offered one, if not the most, super-spectacular match of 2013.

The return leg of the CONCACAF Champions League had 6 goals, and a truly amazing comeback.

Monterrey, the winners of the previous two CCL finals, have succeeded to add yet another similar trophy to their name.

But it seemed all but over for the hosts just before the 60th minute. Santos Laguna had taken a 2-0 lead, with a nice goal minutes before the break and another somewhat fortunate headed goal 5 minutes into the second half.

And, then, Aldo de Nigris stepped in.
The Mexican forward blasted in a superb volley to pull within one.
And Monterrey could hope again.

But it wasn't until 24 minutes after that, that they were finally level. Neri Cardozo's lucky goal brought the two Mexican finalists level, but still Santos Laguna had the away goal advantage.

Monterrey was riding the wave at that moment, however. And it took only 3 more minutes, for the same amazing de Nigris to score the winner.

Even the broadcaster could not refrain from showing a split-screen with the two coaches, exactly what every viewer would want to see at that moment.

Like a true champion, Monterrey kept playing to score, and punished a desperate Santos on the counterattack. 4-2, final score; Suazo scored the last one.

It's going to be hard, for any other final, in any other competition, to match up to the drama and excitement of this final.

Highlights:

2013.05.01 - The Results

CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Final, leg 2

04:00 -- Monterrey - Santos Laguna 4-2, 4-2 on aggregate     highlights
[0-1]  38' Carlos Quintero
[0-2]  50' Felipe Baloy
[1-2]  60' Aldo de Nigris
[2-2]  84' Neri Cardozo
[3-2]  87' Aldo de Nigris
[4-2]  90' + 1' Humberto Suazo



CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Semifinals, leg 2

20:45 -- barcelona - bayern 0-3, 0-7 on aggregate