The Euro Pwns Your League News

By: Greg | June 2nd, 2008

For the next month or so you can pretty much expect a quick run down of a number of league-related stories coming out of Portugal, mostly not entirely huge and then the occasional big deal. The European tournament is throwing a sabot in this whole “Having shit other than the Euro to write about” thing.

** Porto’s star winger and Portuguese International Ricardo Quaresma has reportedly thrown down the gauntlet and said it’s time for him to move on from the Dragons. Liverpool and Inter have emerged as early possibilities, with Liverpool apparently rating him at about fifteen million pounds. Which is like six hundred billion American dollars as of this morning’s exchange rate.

** Sporting have captured Portuguese International forward and former Porto man Hélder Postiga. With the uncertainty of Brazilian striker Liedson’s recovery from knee surgery, Sporting paid 2.5 million Euros to Porto and signed Postiga to a three year contract, with an option for a fourth year. Terms of the contract include Sporting paying Porto half of any future transfer fee Postiga may fetch. If Liedson fully recovers as is expected, Sporting’s front line may be a bit crowded next year with Postiga, Liedson, and Yannick Djalo all probably expecting to be included in manager Paulo Bento’s starting XI.

** Some guy named Jose Mourinho who coached minnows Porto and Chelsea to championships a few years back has been officially announced by grassroots club Internazionale of Italy. We wish him all the luck in the world, as he has proven his ability to take small, perennial relegation fighting clubs and make them into world class products on the field.

** Benfica have paid Greek side Panionios 3 millions Euros for the services of Algerian international striker Rafik Djebbour. The 24 year old netted 18 times in 31 matches this past season for the Greek club. He is signed through 2012. MyTube below…

My in laws are leaving back to Florida tomorrow and as I’m writing this have offered to take me and my wife out to lunch. I will be treating this meal as a lovely celebration. Wouldn’t you? See you tomorrow.