S.L. Benfica (futsal)


Sport Lisboa e Benfica, commonly known as Benfica, is a professional futsal team based in Lisbon, Portugal, that plays in the Liga Portuguesa de Futsal, where they are the current champions.
Since its creation in 2001, the team has been a constant challenger for the championship and won at least one trophy per season between 2005 and 2013. Benfica won all three Portuguese titles in the 2006–07 and 2011–12 seasons. Benfica was the first Portuguese team to win the UEFA Futsal Cup, in 2010. Two years later, they were ranked first in the UEFA Futsal Cup rankings.

History

Establishment (2001–2004)

Established on 13 September 2001, Benfica merged with futsal team Olímpico and became managed by company MPM on 2 June, with Benfica only providing the facilities, medical staff and kits. This union allowed Benfica to participate in the 2001–02 first division. In their debut, Benfica were runners-up, losing 3–2 to Miramar Futsal Clube with the decisive goal coming from a future Benfica glory, André Lima. Benfica's notable players in their first season were Portuguese internationals Naná, Vitinho I, Drula and Nelito, who were coached by Alípio Matos.
The following season, with new players such as André Lima, Rogério Vilela, Pedro Costa and Arnaldo Pereira, Benfica won their first league title, against Sporting CP, their first Taça de Portugal, and their first SuperTaça.
In 2003–04, notable players Ciço and Ricardinho joined Benfica. Benfica reached the 2003–04 UEFA Futsal Cup final, losing 7–5 on aggregate to Interviu.

Adil Amarante years (2004–2008)

In 2004–05, Adil Amarante replaced Alípio Matos and added Nelito, Estrela and Pica Pau. Benfica won the Portuguese Cup against Boavista FC and the second league title against Sporting.
The next season, players such as Wilson, Côco and Sidnei joined Benfica, while Miguel Almeida and Zé Maria left. Benfica lost the Portuguese Cup to Sporting in the Final Four, and then the league.
In 2006–07, Benfica improved their squad with new players such as Gonçalo Alves, Bebé, Pedro Costa, Zé Maria and Estrela, who returned. Nelito ended his career. Benfica conquered the Super Cup. In May Benfica won another Portuguese Cup and by June another league
In the 2007–08 season, Arnaldo Pereira and Miguel Almeida returned, while Estrela left. Benfica started the season by winning the Super Cup. In January, César Paulo joined Benfica. In March, Adil Amarante left in disagreement with Benfica about his new contract, and was replaced by Beto Aranha, who lead Benfica to their first back-to-back champion titles.

André Lima years (2008–2010)

In July 2008, despite being in charge only for four months, Benfica replaced Beto Aranha with former player and coach, André Lima. The only reinforcement was Pedrinho, while Miguel Almeida left. Benfica lost the Super Cup but won the Portuguese Cup, and the third league title in a row for the first time.
In 2009–10, Benfica hired Davi and Marinho, and went on winning their 13th title, the domestic Super Cup.
trophy on display at Museu Benfica
On 25 April 2010, Benfica became European champions by conquering the UEFA Futsal Cup, after defeating Luparense by 8–4 in the semi-finals, they beat Interviu 3–2 in the final; Benfica conceded first by Marquinho, but Joel Queirós and then Arnaldo put Benfica in the lead, Interviu equalised by Betão, but Davi in the final minutes sealed the historic victory.
In the remainder of the season, Benfica lost the Portuguese Cup to Belenenses and then the league to Sporting.

2010–present

In the 2010–11 season, coach Paulo Fernandes, who had just won the league for Sporting, replaced European champion André Lima. Ricardinho left and was replaced by Diece. Another addition was Diego Sol who arrived from Belenenses, and Teka from Sporting. In this season Benfica lost the Portuguese Cup, and then the league in three matches, despite winning the regular phase. In European competitions, Benfica finished fourth in the 2010–11 UEFA Futsal Cup.
In 2011–12, Benfica added Marcão, Dentinho and Bruno Coelho. The season was better than the previous one as Benfica won all three competitions they entered: the Super Cup, Portuguese Cup and the league. Ricardinho returned in January on a 6 month-loan but failed to make an impact, being suspended for three matches in the final.
In 2012–13, Benfica hired Vítor Hugo
and Nené. On 2 September 2012, they won their sixth Super Cup against Modicus and tied with Sporting in terms of overall titles. After a series of bad results, including an early exit of the UEFA Futsal Cup, Paulo Fernandes was sacked and replaced by João Freitas Pinto. However, Benfica failed to retain the league title, losing 3–1 in the final against Sporting. In the offseason, Benfica did not renew the contract of Davi, Diego Sol, Diece, Marinho and César Paulo, replacing them with Ricardo Fernandes, Pablo del Moral, Rafael Henmi, Serginho, Bruno Pinto, Paulinho, Alan Brandi and Ivo Oliveira.
On 14 June 2015, Benfica became Portuguese champions for the seventh time and achieved their seventh double, defeating Sporting on penalties in the fourth match of playoffs final. Benfica reached the playoff finals without defeat.
In August 2015, Benfica beat AD Fundão 6–3 and won the Super Cup. Benfica won again the Super Cup in October 2016, for a record eighth time, defeating Sporting 3–2. In the end of the season, Benfica beat Burinhosa and won their seventh Portuguese Cup. Later on, in January 2018, Benfica won their first League Cup with a 5–2 victory over Sporting.

Season to season

Results in international competition

Note: Benfica score is always listed first.
SeasonCompetitionRoundOpponentScore
2003–04UEFA Futsal Cup1st Qualification Round Group 8 Kaskada Gračanica11–0
2003–04UEFA Futsal Cup1st Qualification Round Group 8 Athina 9012–0
2003–04UEFA Futsal Cup1st Qualification Round Group 8 CD Shop Mozart Danilovgrad4–2
2003–04UEFA Futsal Cup2nd Qualification Round Group B Prato Calcio a 55–2
2003–04UEFA Futsal Cup2nd Qualification Round Group B MNK Split7–0
2003–04UEFA Futsal Cup2nd Qualification Round Group B Action 21 Charleroi5–4
2003–04UEFA Futsal CupFinal Boomerang Interviú1–4
4–3
2005Intercontinental Futsal CupQualification Round Group B Fire Fox Tokyo11–0
2005Intercontinental Futsal CupQualification Round Group B Boomerang Interviú1–8
2005Intercontinental Futsal CupThird place match Carlos Barbosa0–4
2005–06UEFA Futsal Cup1st Qualification Round Group 3 Tal-Grig Yerevan3–2
2005–06UEFA Futsal Cup1st Qualification Round Group 3 Ararat Nicosia5–0
2005–06UEFA Futsal Cup1st Qualification Round Group 3 Aramis Futsal Club8–0
2005–06UEFA Futsal Cup2nd Qualification Round Group A Kairat Almaty3–3
2005–06UEFA Futsal Cup2nd Qualification Round Group A PB Morlanwelz1–1
2005–06UEFA Futsal Cup2nd Qualification Round Group A Boomerang Interviú2–4
2006–07European Futsal Cup Winners CupQualification Round Group A Spartak Shelkovo3–3
2006–07European Futsal Cup Winners CupQualification Round Group A Azkar Lugo8–5
2006–07European Futsal Cup Winners CupFinal Lobelle de Santiago3–5
2007Intercontinental Futsal CupQualification Round Group A Nagoya Oceans5–0
2007Intercontinental Futsal CupQualification Round Group A Carlos Barbosa6–1
2007Intercontinental Futsal CupQualification Round Group A Boomerang Interviú2–3
2007Intercontinental Futsal CupSemi-final Malwee/Jaraguá2–6
2007Intercontinental Futsal CupThird place match Sporting CP2–4
2007–08UEFA Futsal CupElite Round Group B Luparense2–2
2007–08UEFA Futsal CupElite Round Group B Dinamo Moskva4–8
2007–08UEFA Futsal CupElite Round Group B Municipium Pljevlja7–3
2008–09UEFA Futsal CupMain Round Group 1 KMN Gorica2–1
2008–09UEFA Futsal CupMain Round Group 1 Athina 908–0
2008–09UEFA Futsal CupMain Round Group 1 KMF Municipium Pljevlja6–1
2008–09UEFA Futsal CupElite Round Group D Hapoel Ironi R.L.8–1
2008–09UEFA Futsal CupElite Round Group D Ekonomac Kragujevac8–1
2008–09UEFA Futsal CupElite Round Group D Boomerang Interviú1–2
2009–10UEFA Futsal CupMain Round Group 4 Montenegro Stars Budva15–1
2009–10UEFA Futsal CupMain Round Group 4 Viten Orsha7–1
2009–10UEFA Futsal CupMain Round Group 4 KMN Puntar4–2
2009–10UEFA Futsal CupElite Round Group 2 FC Marlène4–0
2009–10UEFA Futsal CupElite Round Group 2 MNK Potpican '988–1
2009–10UEFA Futsal CupElite Round Group 2 Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg2–2
2009–10UEFA Futsal CupSemi-final Luparense8–4
2009–10UEFA Futsal CupFinal Interviú3–2
2011Intercontinental Futsal CupLeague Carlos Barbosa3–4
2011Intercontinental Futsal CupLeague Interviú2–4
2011Intercontinental Futsal CupLeague Bank Rbak8–1
2010–11UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueElite Round Group A Ekonomac Kragujevac5–2
2010–11UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueElite Round Group A Nacional Zagreb1–0
2010–11UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueElite Round Group A Time Lviv2–1
2010–11UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueSemi-final Montesilvano0–3
2010–11UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueThird place match Kairat3–3
2012–13UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueElite Round Group D Győri ETO FC3–3
2012–13UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueElite Round Group D Luparense3–2
2012–13UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueElite Round Group D Iberia Star4–7
2015–16UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueMain Round Group 2 MNK Centar Sarajevo8–2
2015–16UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueMain Round Group 2 FC Grand Pro Varna9–2
2015–16UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueMain Round Group 2 KMN Dobovec6–1
2015–16UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueElite Round Group D Ekonomac Kragujevac3–0
2015–16UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueElite Round Group D Slov-Matic Bratislava4–5
2015–16UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueElite Round Group D Lokomotiv Kharkiv2–0
2015–16UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueSemi-final Ugra4–4
2015–16UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueThird place match Pescara2–2
2–0
2018–19UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueMain Round Group 1 Halle-Gooik5–3
2018–19UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueMain Round Group 1 Barcelona1–1
2018–19UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueMain Round Group 1 Kremlin-Bicêtre United9–1
2018–19UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueElite Round Group C MNK Novo Vrijeme5–0
2018–19UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueElite Round Group C MFK Sibiryak4–2
2018–19UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueElite Round Group C Sporting CP1–1
2019–20UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueMain Round Group 2 Halle-Gooik6–2
2019–20UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueMain Round Group 2 Araz Naxçivan7–0
2019–20UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueMain Round Group 2 Prodexim Kherson1–1
2019–20UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueElite Round Group C Pesaro21 Nov
2019–20UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueElite Round Group C ElPozo22 Nov
2019–20UEFA Futsal Champions LeagueElite Round Group C Kairat24 Nov

Players

Current squad

Out on loan

Honours

Domestic competitions

According to Benfica's official website
Head coach: Pedro Henriques

Women's honours

Regional competitions