Basketball is National Champion!

The Sport Lisboa e Benfica has won, this Friday, the Championship, after beating FC Porto by 3-0, in a best-of-five playoff.

After two victories away (Dragão Caixa), in the last seconds of the matches, this night, in a crazy and crowed pavilion, an evident triumph - with large margin.

Final result: 87-57 (1^st Quarter: 22-12, 2^nd: 12-11, 3^rd: 21-15 and 4^th: 32-19).

The eagles were always better, commanding every single moment of an emotive, intense and overwhelming match, in one of the best performances of the season. 

SL Benfica closes the season with its 27^th title, with the Portuguese Cup and Hugo Santos Cup, while the European journey was the best ever, as we have achieved, for the first time in History, the 2^nd stage (groups) of FIBA.

Lineup: Derek Raivio, Carlos Morais, João Soares, Damian Hollis and Raven Barber. 

Statistics: Carlos Morais (17), Damian Hollis (15), Nuno Oliveira (12), Tomás Barroso (11), Raven Barber (11), Nicolas dos Santos (8), Carlos Andrade (6), Derek Raivio (4) and João Soares (3). 

Carlos Morais was MAN OF THE YEAR 2016/2017, chosen by Conservas Ramírez.

“We are very happy! It was a difficult season, but always playing as a team and that's what came out during the decisions. We are winners with justice. I’m very happy in Benfica”, he said to BTV.

 Statements:

"Many months of work, we were the best in the Championship and we have won with merit. We won the Portuguese Cup, the League Cup and only failed the Super Cup. It was also a good international season. This all comes from the hard-work of the team, players, staff and supporters. We are very pleased and now we are going to celebrate because it was a stressful season. I want to thank the President. This title is for you President!”, Carlos Lisboa.

 This is an unique moment, in a fantastic atmosphere, I'm speechless. I want to thank all the teammates, coaching staff and the supporters. It was a difficult but beautiful season.", Tomás Barroso.

 "It is a dream came true. I have always dreamt with this and the day has come, I'm speechless. It's exciting. Thanks to the supporters. We have worked a lot. We were not the most consistent team during the season but we were the best in the decisions", Carlos Andrade.

 “Our goal has been achieved. It was a great season. This is the result of hard-work.”, João Soares

 SA

Fotos: Inês Pereira / SL Benfica