Europalco, the largest provider of solutions for events and shows in Southern Europe, proudly orchestrated the spectacular 120th Anniversary Gala for Sport Lisboa e Benfica, the iconic Portuguese football club. The event, known as the Cosme Damião Awards, was held at the MEO Arena in Lisbon and paid tribute to the rich history and achievements of the club, as well as the outstanding personalities who have contributed to its legacy.
The Cosme Damião Awards is an esteemed ceremony that recognizes the remarkable achievements of Sport Lisboa e Benfica and pays tribute to Cosme Damião, one of the club's founding fathers. This annual event holds immense significance in the hearts of Benfica fans and the sporting community, as it commemorates the club's enduring legacy and honors its brightest stars.
The Portuguese supplier, organizing this event for the fifth time, provided a wide range of services to ensure the gala's success. Europalco's team of 40 professionals spared no effort to deliver a flawless experience for the 2,500 attendees, from state-of-the-art sound, lighting and video production to captivating scenery and staging.
The centerpiece of the gala was undoubtedly the magnificent 70m x 12m main screen, creatively designed to resemble the wings of the Benfica eagle, the club's iconic symbol. Europalco used 12 Christie Boxer projectors to create an immersive and unforgettable backdrop for the evening’s celebrations.
The gala was a mix of entertainment, emotion and reverence, with special recognition given to the most influential figures in Benfica’s history. From legendary players to dedicated staff, each award recipient was honored for their invaluable contribution to the club's success.
At the heart of the Cosme Damião Awards, Roger Schmidt and António Silva were honored as Coach and Footballer of the Year for their pivotal role in Benfica’s success. Francisca Nazareth won her second consecutive Footballer of the Year award, while João Neves emerged as the rising star of men’s football. The gala also paid tribute to the late football player Minervino Pietra and coach Sven-Göran Eriksson.
Pedro Magalhães, CEO of Europalco, said: “Innovative staging and state-of-the-art technology transformed the MEO Arena into a captivating tribute to the illustrious history of Sport Lisboa e Benfica. Our team faced the challenge of constructing and suspending the intricate set design, but their expertise and careful planning assured flawless execution”. He added: “The feedback from our clients was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing it as the best gala in their history. We are proud to have been involved in the commemoration of this milestone. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the future”.