The 52-year curse of Bela Guttman continues for Benfica as Portuguese club fall short in eighth European final with Europea League defeat against Sevilla
Sevilla's
Kevin Gameiro stepped up to score his side's winning penalty and
in-turn condemned Benfica to a 52nd year without European glory in a
year that looked as though the Guttmam curse would be lifted.
So, what is the curse and what did Benfica do to deserve it?
Upset: Benfica fans still believe that Bela Guttman (above) cursed their club's European misery
Guttman became manager of Benfica in
1960, just a year after leading bitter rivals Porto to the Portuguese
League and wasted no time in making his mark on the club, sacking twenty
senior players before promoting youngsters through the ranks.
The Hungarian was blessed with a squad
that included Benfica legend Eusebio and he soon found success, winning
the European cup twice in a row, beating Barcelona in 1961 and Real
Madrid the following year.
After such immediate success, Guttman
believed he deserved a pay rise and approached the Benfica board after
the 1962 European Cup final victory.
Guttman's advances were swiftly rebuffed, infuriating the Benfica boss to the point that he left the club.
Upon leaving, Guttman allegedly declared, 'Not in a hundred years from now will Benfica ever be European champion'.
Since
that day, Benfica have lost five Champions League finals and three UEFA
Cup/Europa League finals with the latest being the defeat by Sevilla on
Wednesday night.
The
curse even prompted Eusebio to visit Guttman's grave to pray for it to
be broken, but as Sevilla fans celebrate long into the night, another
year goes for Benfica without any luck in Europe.
source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2628610/The-52-year-curse-Bela-Guttman-continues-Benfica-Portuguese-club-fall-short-eighth-European-final-Europea-League-defeat-against-Sevilla.html
Tiada ulasan:
Catat Ulasan