THE BALL – Rui Costa stands out from the basketball team: «For the history of the club and Portugal» (Benfica)
Rui Costa, president of Benfica, congratulated the basketball team for securing, this Sunday, qualification for the group stage of the Champions League, after a triumph over Germans Brose Bamberg, at Pavilhão da Luz.
The president of the reds revealed the unprecedented, as it is the first time that a Portuguese will compete in this continental competition.
“It is with immense pride that we congratulate the men’s basketball team on our unprecedented qualification for the group stage of the Champions League. This is a unique achievement for the history of our club and for Portugal! We took on the organization of a qualifying round to fight for the presence in the Basketball Champions League and of an organization absolutely faithful to our irreproachable objective.
Although it is not about winning a trophy, it is a feat in the history of Sport Lisboa e Benfica and, therefore, I want to be happy for the athletes, the coaching staff and the team for this extraordinary event. It was a difficult and demanding journey, but the dream did come true. We are the first Portuguese team to reach this stage of the Champions League. Together, with the support of our fans, everything is easier. The presence was fundamental in these three games of the competition. And Pluribus Unum», reads the message published by eagles.