Benfica’s fourth straight Champions League journey began with a stunning rout. The home crowd at Luz watched as Gran Canaria, a Spanish powerhouse, delivered a crushing 98-61 defeat. National team coach Mário Gomes was in the stands, a silent witness to the Group H opener. This was far from the start the four-time national champions had hoped for.
From the tip-off, Benfica looked out of sync. They immediately lost the fight for rebounds, a glaring weakness against a taller Gran Canaria side. Their opponent’s system looked fluid and sharp. Slovenian-American center Mike Tobey, standing 2.13 meters, led the charge for Gran Canaria. Benfica, meanwhile, seemed to lack any defensive fire.
Gran Canaria quickly built a comfortable lead. They grabbed more offensive rebounds and shot the ball incredibly well. Three-pointers fell easily, hit with a high success rate. By the end of the first period, Gran Canaria led 32-16. This 16-point gap showed Benfica’s uninspired play. It was clear they couldn’t stand up to a team aiming for the Champions League title.
The second period brought even more trouble for the home team, often called the “Eagles.” Benfica managed only 16 points for nearly nine minutes. During this time, the Spanish squad put on an attacking clinic. They completely picked apart Benfica’s defense. The “Reds” couldn’t stop Gran Canaria’s interior game. Their opponents’ passing lanes were always open, their players simply sharper and more effective.
Halftime arrived with a nightmarish score of 65-24. Benfica showed some fight in the second half. Canadian Koby McEwen stood out, scoring 17 points to lead all players. He was the most defiant player on Benfica’s roster.
The second half largely belonged to Benfica, who tried to salvage some pride. Gran Canaria, knowing the game was long over, eased off the gas. Coach Norberto Alves now faces a huge task. He must make this Benfica team truly competitive at this high level of play.