But next time you're taking the names of the football gods in vain about some misfortune, spare a thought for Benfica's fans. They have suffered the ignominy of losing out on three huge trophies in the space of three weeks.
First came the critical moment in the Portuguese league on May 11. Benfica were undefeated all season until their penultimate game of the season away at their only title rivals, Porto, who were also yet to lose a match.
Benfica's superior winning record meant they were two points clear and favourites for the title, however, and as the clock ticked into the red with the scores at 1-1 - despite a Benfica own goal - they seemed set to take their lead into the final match of the season.
But up popped Porto's Brazilian star Kelvin two minutes into injury time with an unlikely winner to put his team in the driving seat. Both Porto and Benfica won their final matches of the season, and Porto were crowned champions.
Just a few days later on May 15 came the Europa League final, where they played well against Chelsea and were all set for extra time until Branislav Ivanovic's winning header three minutes into injury time gave the Blues an incredible victory.
Benfica still had a chance at redemption on Sunday, though, as they took on Vitoria Guimares in the final of the Portuguese Cup. Nicolas Gaitan's goal had put them 1-0 up and with 10 minutes left they seemed certain to claim some silverware at last - but Hilal El Arbi Soudani and Ricardo Pereira popped up with late goals to turn Benfica's potential treble into a big, fat zero.
To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, to lose one trophy in such circumstances might be considered misfortune, but to lose three begins to look like carelessness.»
by The Rundown in Eurosport.uk
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