Celtic v Benfica - Wednesday 7.45pm on Sky Sports 3

I'm in 412. Never sat there before and prefer the lower tier, but I'm not complaining.

 

I'd prefer the system Ajax use... pumping millions into the youth system then selling them on.

 

BUZZING.

I can't be * with work tomorrow at all, I just can't wait to get inside Celtic Park and hear the crowd roar. It promises to be absolutely electric. Hopefully the bhoys can sneak 3 points.

 

I'm in 409, ...could be 409,000 and I'd still be beaming :icon_mrgreen:

 

Same mate

 

Extremely jealous of all of you able to go to the game. I'll be watching from the comfort of my living room... at 4.15am.

 

If all goes to plan for me, I'll be doing the same thing next year.

So I'm making the most of it while I can

 

Good man.

 

I'm 409 too mate!

 

Prediction Time:icon_mrgreen:

Celtic 1-0 SL Benfica

 

I've said it before, but again Celtic should follow the Benfica model, check their wiki page its got some good reading on how they do things

 

Hi there, let me clear a few points out. Thanks for all the kind words above.

Brazilians don't hold Portuguese passports, but as mentioned above, we don't have strict work permit rules in football, and due to our history, it's very easy for Brazilians to work in Portugal. Language and culture being a major plus for them. The football however is very different, many Brazilians players don't reach the heights and subsequently leave to go back to Brazil.

Regarding the 'most widely supported club' it's only in membership terms. Today, we reached 250,000 members, known as 'sócios' or associates. They pay a yearly fee between 100 to 125 euros (depending on the distance you live from Lisbon) just for being a member. This entitles to special ticket discounts, merchandise, usage of facilities like swimming pool etc, and discounts with national and local businesses (petrol, shopping, etc)

But there are some things you can only purchase by being a member, like season tickets.

Don't take the 'world record' we hold on the most supported club, because that's purely on members. For example Real, Barca, Man Utd, Munich clearly draw the most fans. Members wise, Bayern Munich comes second and Barcelona third.

This also doesn't mean that all 250k are paying members, which they are not. There will be a purge of numbers which rolls every 10 years or so (2015 is next) and you will see a massive drop in that, because people just stop paying their annual fees.

Each paying member also has a voting right on the presidential elections, the longer you are member for, the heavier your vote weights. Next elections are schedule for end of October and they come about every 4 years approximately.

Unlike other European clubs we don't have an owner. Abrahamovic, Glazers, Qatari consortiums, and the likes.

If you have time, see what happens when we win a league title... (and this is Lisbon only!) skip to 1:55
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4L17YXR3a4"]Chegada do autocarro do Benfica campeao 2009 - 2010 / Festa Louca - YouTube[/ame]

 

I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight.

 

..me row R, give us a wave

 

Celtic 2-1 SL Benfica

 

La Liga Clubs arent actually that Rich. Benfica and Porto can outspend about 14 of the teams in La Liga, so its not really comparible with us and the EPL as anyone in the EPL can outspend us.

Where players would probably leave us for Sunderland or Aston Villa. Players wont leave Benfica for Getafe and Espanyol.

 

Sorry mates but this is one of the games i want Celtic to loose......


My prediction is Celtic 1-3 Benfica

Goals:
0-1 Salvio
0-2 Cardozo
1-2 Wilson
1-3 Matic

 

I would be more surprised that wilson would be playing or even on the bench I am nervous for the game I think the International break came at the worst time for us and we will lose 2-0, if we are lucky we might be able to get a point

 

Really excited for this now

Seems like so long ago we had Champions League football at Parkhead, can't wait