S.L. Benfica (rugby union)
Portuguese rugby union team / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sport Lisboa e Benfica (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɨˈpɔɾ liʒˈβoɐ i βɐ̃jˈfikɐ] ⓘ), commonly known as Benfica, is a Portuguese rugby union team based in Lisbon. Founded in 1924, Benfica is one of the oldest Portuguese rugby teams. The men's team competes in the Campeonato Português de Rugby - Divisão de Honra, the first tier of rugby union in Portugal. In June 2014, the club refused the invitation to join the first division.[3] The women's team play in the Campeonato Nacional, the first tier, but recent changes in the competition mean they only compete in Sevens.
Full name | Associação SLB Rugby | |
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Union | Portuguese Rugby Federation | |
Founded | 4 October 1924 (99 years ago) (1924-10-04) | |
Location | Lisbon, Portugal | |
Ground(s) | Lisbon University Stadium[1] | |
Coach(es) | António Moura Dias Rassie van Vuura[2] | |
League(s) | Campeonato Português de Rugby - Divisão de Honra | |
2022–13 | Campeonato Nacional de Rugby I Divisão, 4th place | |
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Official website | ||
www |
Benfica currently hold home games at the Lisbon University Stadium, while their youth teams play at the Pupilos do Exército, near Colégio Militar in Lisbon. Benfica hoped to secure a rugby field in Oeiras, in a 20-year rental, but the project never materialized. It was supposed to have a grass field capable of international matches, plus two synthetic fields for youth development, three football fields for Under-12, a 2,000 people stand and additional logistical support.[4]
Benfica once had a Portuguese international in their team, Diogo Gama, who represented Portugal at the 2007 World Cup.