Benfica coach Jorge Jesus is hell bent on ending a European drought which has encompassed six losing finals stretching back to the 1960's as the Eagles take on Chelsea in Wednesday's Europa League final in Amsterdam. It was in Amsterdam that the Portuguese giants saw off Real Madrid to land a second straight European Cup having defeated Barcelona the season before - but since then the Lisbon outfit have suffered only heartbreak.

LISBON (Reuters) - Benfica coach Jorge Jesus' early season gamble of including a large contingent of forwards competing for a first-team start may just prove decisive as they close in on an elusive treble of Europa League, championship and cup. Jesus lauded his wide range of options after Benfica grabbed a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Newcastle United on Thursday to set up a Europa League semi-final clash against Turkish side Fenerbahce.

Footballers at Portuguese top flight team Olhanense have threatened to go on strike next weekend unless the club delivers unpaid wages. The team from Olhao in the south of the country have not paid their players for four months, according to the president of the Players' Union. And if they do not receive at least one month in back pay, the players will refuse to take to the field against leaders Benfica on April 7. "A notice of the intention to strike has been lodged to force the club to pay at least a month's salary," Joaquim Evangelista told TSF radio station.

(Reuters) - Under-pressure Portugal shrugged off the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo by securing a 2-0 victory over 10-man Azerbaijan in a World Cup Group F qualifier in Baku thanks to goals from Bruno Alves and Hugo Almeida on Tuesday. The win meant Portugal, who have not missed a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France, moved onto 11 points from six matches. The result also put an end to a five-game winless streak which Portugal had failed to break last Friday when they stumbled to 3-3 draw in Israel.