54andcounting 0 Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Chelsea aim to win a European trophy in successive seasons when they face Benfica. The Blues travel to the Amsterdam ArenA as marginal favourites over the Portuguese outfit. The sun is blazing and there's large congregations of Chelsea fans both in the square and across from the station - Estimate around 10,000 without tickets - although tickets from the 'UEFA family' are being sold on the street for over 400 euros. Benfica fans are getting the Europa League final started early. Hundreds have taken over a patch just outside the stadium with a DJ on a dance stage (sporting the Portuguese side's shirt) whipping them up into an frenzy... and that's four hours before kick-off. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54andcounting 0 Posted May 15, 2013 Author Share Posted May 15, 2013 Hope Solo, goalkeeper for the United States women's national football team is there...drool:nuts: 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54andcounting 0 Posted May 15, 2013 Author Share Posted May 15, 2013 Going a bit off topic here folks, but I can't not share this with you.... Don't worry the football hasn't kicked off yet at time of print. Miss Solo is a keen gardener and spends a lot of time in her garden when relaxing... This is Hope watering the lawn.... ...and showing off her new garden shed.... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54andcounting 0 Posted May 15, 2013 Author Share Posted May 15, 2013 ...er, um sorry about that, now back to the football... Chelsea fans before the big game 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54andcounting 0 Posted May 15, 2013 Author Share Posted May 15, 2013 Eusebio was part of the last Benfica team to win silverware in Europe, way back in 1962. Some Benfica fans claim that the same man who masterminded that success is responsible for the lack of European trophies since. Former coach Bela Guttmann, who led them to victory over Real Madrid, left soon after in a dispute over pay and swore that the club would never win continental silverware without him. He is yet to be proved wrong despite regular pilgrimages to lay flowers on his grave in an attempt to appease him in the afterlife. The fans head for the match..... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54andcounting 0 Posted May 15, 2013 Author Share Posted May 15, 2013 Eden Hazard misses out with a hamstring injury, while Victor Moses drops to the bench and Ryan Bertrand is not involved. In come Ashley Cole, Juan Mata and Oscar. Frank Lampard captains the side, while John Terry is unavailable through injury. For Benfica, top scorer Lima is on the bench with Rodrigo taking his place in the side while Melgarejo comes in for Maxi Pereira, who is suspended. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54andcounting 0 Posted May 15, 2013 Author Share Posted May 15, 2013 There are plenty of flags in place for the Chelsea fans ahead of kick-off. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54andcounting 0 Posted May 15, 2013 Author Share Posted May 15, 2013 (edited) The Line-ups: Benfica: Artur Moraes, Almeida, Luisao, Garay, Melgarejo, Perez, Matic, Rodrigo, Gaitan, Cardozo, Salvio. Subs: Paulo Lopes, Aimar, Lima, John, Urreta, Jardel, Gomes. Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole, Lampard, Luiz, Ramires, Mata, Oscar, Torres. Subs: Turnbull, Mikel, Moses, Ferreira, Marin, Benayoun, Ake. Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland) THE PRIZE Edited May 15, 2013 by 54andcounting 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54andcounting 0 Posted May 15, 2013 Author Share Posted May 15, 2013 KICK OFF.... We are under way. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54andcounting 0 Posted May 15, 2013 Author Share Posted May 15, 2013 Benfica have made the better start to the game so far and are pushing high up the pitch. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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