By Anna Italia

                     Napoli 3  -  2  Benfica
                                       18' L. Vitale                   16' David Suazo
                                       20' German Denis          59' Luisao                                 
                                       55' Christian Maggio   
        

Substitutes:  46' Manuel Blasi out, M. Pazienza in              46' J. Urretaviscaya out, J. Balboa in
                      66' German Denis out, Marcelo Zalayeta in   55' J. Martins out, Kostas Katsouranis in
                      75' Marek Hamsik out, Joao Batista Pia in     63' Angel Di Maria out, Nuno Gomes in

Make Your BET  LIVE now         NAPOLI - BENFICA Thursday, September 18, 2008    11:45 a.m. USA Pacific time     They play, you WIN! Open an account now with eurobet.com

                
The theater is set for Napoli and every Napoli fan is in front seat to have their dream come true and see Napoli defeating the legendary Benfica with ex FC Inter forward David Suazo.  

Here is the starting eleven formation by Napoli Coach Edy Reja:


Surprised to see Argentinian sensation Angel Di Maria since the beginning. You bet the people from FC Inter wil be checking since they have target Di maria as their next transfer market. 

In the 16th minute, Benfica gets a corner and guess who opens the score?  Yes, you got it, EX INTER DAVID SUAZO heads the ball surpassing Santacroce and blasting Napoli goalkeeper Navarro.  All Napoli fans experienced a silent...
Napoli 0 - 1 Benfica

Click  here to buy your           I Love Napoli" shirt....

 


San Paolo Stadium, Thursday, September 18, 2008 UEFA CUP Napoli - Benfica - The moment of Napoli midfielder Vitale blasting Benfica goalkeeper Quim.  Look at the photo closely, it seems Quim is trying to make a split to stop the ball.  Photo: sscnapoli.it

Click the video to watch the highlights of the UEFA Cup First Round Napoli - Benfica and the goals from Suazo, Vitale, Denis, and Maggio.



Just two minutes after, guess what? what!  Well, hold on, in the 18th minute, it is the time to get hope high when Napoli midfielder Vitale equalized the score.  Assist by great midfielder and one of my favorite Napoli guys midfielder Marek Hamsik when the ball is deflected by a defender and finding Vitale at hand to blast Benfica goalkeeper Quim !!!!
Napoli 1 - 1 Benfica

                              

San Paolo Stadium, Thursday, September 18, 2008 UEFA CUP Napoli - Benfica - Vitale celebrating his goal bringing hope to Napoli fans.  Photo: sscnapoli.it

Now, just wait a minute guys.  Another two more minutes, oh boy, this sounds like a mathematic code...  In the 20th minute, I had to get up from my seat and start doing my cheer leading dance because Argentinian German Denis unblocked himself since the last time he scored in August and it is goaaaalllll  Yes, yes, yes, yes, one million yes.... wow, just marvelous because the ball was intended for Hamsik but he missed the shot and the ball goes to the way of El tanque Denis who without a doubt shoots and bam, bam, bam blasting Benfica goalkeeper Quim.
Napoli 2 - 1 Benfica

Guys, all Napoli fans exploded of joy and the heavens opened up again.....

                        

San Paolo Stadium, Thursday, September 18, 2008 UEFA CUP Napoli - Benfica - A great moment to celebrate the unblocking of Argentinian forward El Tanque German Denis. Now, Napoli is ahead. Vamos, vamos, Argentina!! Forza Denis!!! Photo: sscnapoli.it


Wow, Guys, bring on the Pizza Napoletana because in the 55th minute Napoli midfielder Christian Maggio scores the third goal from the right deviated and Benfica goalkeeper Quim is surprised!!! This is party time!!! Order the Pizza Napoletana, call your friends because Napoli is back in Europe after 14 years!!!
Napoli 3 - 1 Benfica

                      

San Paolo Stadium, Thursday, September 18, 2008 UEFA CUP Napoli - Benfica - Napoli midfielder Christian Maggio celebrating his goal with Napoli fans.  Photo: sscnapoli.it

    Go Napoli, Go Napoli, Go Napoli!!!! 


Guys, I am telling you, Maggio is proving to be one of the best effective transfer market player in Napoli right now.  Forza Maggio!!!  Hope Italian Head Coach Marcello Lippi is looking and gives Maggio a chance to play for the Azzurri. Don't you think?
   
Oh noooo, oh well... In the 59th minute, Benfica shortens the distance with Benfica defender Luisao shooting from the right blasting Napoli goalkeeper Navarro.
Napoli 3 - 2 Benfica

Thanks God Napoli could hold  the lead and the party is officially on!!!!  Napoli back in Europe.  I am so glad for this result especially for Napoli coach Edy Reja living his dream of playing in the big theater: the UEFA Cup. Next step will be the Champions League.  Rejoice Napoli fans!!!

LINEUPS

2008 - 2009 UEFA CUP First Round

Napoli 3 - 2 Benfica
Thursday, September 18, 2008
San Paolo Stadium
Attendance: 45,000

Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (NED)

Assistant referee: Patrick Gerritsen (NED) Norbertus Josephus C. Simons (NED)

Fourth official: Bas Nijhuis (NED)

UEFA Delegate:Andreas Akkelides (CYP)

UEFA Referee observer: Volker Roth (GER)

Related Stories:

-  UEFA Cup 2008 - 2009 Frist Round Draw "Milan-Zurich, Sampdoria-Kaunas, Napoli-Benfica, Dortmund-Udinese" Watch the Draw, here is the Video, August 29, 2008

-  RESULTS Second Qualifying Round UEFA Cup: Napoli 5 - 0 Vllaznia, Goals, by Rinaudo, Pia, Lavezzi and Hamsik "Napoli Officially Back in EUROPE", August 28, 2008


What do you think of the result? Which players disappointed you or surprised you and why?  Was the referee fair?



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