Pedro Gil on this weekend's CERH European League hosting of Forte Dei Marmi

Sporting CP's roller hockey team will face Forte Dei Marmi this Saturday in the CERH European League. Looking to add to a win against Dinan Quevert and tally points after missing out to Reus, Pedro Gil is feeling confident, but is also expecting a tough challenge from the Italians.

"I think it will be a hard game, against a team that have won their recent matches in the Italian league. They have a great goalkeeper and some of their other lads are the kind of players who can make the difference. They might not be the best physically and we will have to make the most of that", said Gil in an interview this week, going on to affirm the importance of the home advantage: "In such a balanced group, home games have to be won. We have to win the three points in Portugal. This will be a special match for me, because I spent three years playing there. I won some important trophies and I am really grateful for the way I was treated there and when I left."

Lions miss out in Group C's toughest encounter

Sporting CP narrowly missed out against Reus (3-2) this Saturday, on CERH European League matchday 2.

The hosts took the lead after 7 minutes through Marc Torra, making the most of a power play after the carding of Tuco a minute earlier. However, Sporting CP responded well and Pedro Gil drew the game level four minutes later. Matias Platero put Reus back ahead (2-1), securing a half-time lead for the Spaniards.

Álex Rodriguez put Reus two ahead, before João Pinto closed the afternoon's scoring seconds before the final whistle.

Coach Guillem Pérez on his side's CERH European League return

"It was important for us to show that we are here to win. We are still looking for our best form", said the Sporting roller hockey coach Guillem Pérez at the final whistle at the end of his side's fantastic return to the CERH European League this Saturday, continuing: "It was great to see the arena so packed and it really helped us out. Having the fans with us is really important and we want to keep pushing the pace going forward."

Alvalade hockey starlet called up to Portuguese squad

At the age of just 16, José Maria Tiago will feature in the national under-17 side for the coming Roller Hockey European Championships, taking place in the Spanish city of Oviedo from the 4th to the 10th of September.

Taking part in the tournament are: Andorra; Germany; Austria; England; Spain; France; Israel; Italy; Portugal; Switzerland.

Portugal will compete in Group A, along with Italy, Germany, Austria and Andorra.

A grande promessa do hóquei espanhol vai vestir de verde e branco

At just 19 years of age, Ferran Font is already considered as one of Spain's brightest roller hockey prospects. Font now makes the move to Alvalade, picking the Lisbon capital over Barcelona.

"I really liked the project which was explained to be. Portugal has a long tradition in roller hockey and it wasn't a difficult decision for me", said Font on penning the deal, adding: "The club is putting a lot into roller hockey and we have a lot of titles to win."

Ferran Font joins up with fellow new arrivals Ricardo Oliveira, known as Caio, and Gonçalo Nunes, who is also one of roller hockey's most promising youngsters.

Toor and Azmad secure sticks and protection equipment deal for next season

Sporting CP signed a deal this week with Toor (protection material) and Azemad (sticks), valid for the coming roller hockey season.

“The club is investing in a winning project and that is why it is associating with these brands. Toor and Azerad dominate the Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian markets, which are the biggest in the roller hockey world, which is why Sporting has teamed up with them, said Alvalade roller hockey coordinator José Trindade about the deal.

Sporting CP thanks roller hockey forward for contribution

Sporting Clube de Portugal informs that the player Cláudio Filho, known as Cacau, will not be part of the club's roller hockey team next season.

Part of Brazil's best ever generation in the sport, Cacau spent spells with various Portuguese and Italian clubs and was part of the Sporting team that won a second Portuguese Super Cup last season.

Sporting CP wishes Cacau the best of personal and professional success.

Alvalade rolley hockey stars beat HC Turquel 9-8

With 40 seconds left on the clock, Sporting CP struck the winning goal against HC Turquel this Saturday to earn a CERH European League spot next season.

The win was the crucial last push needed to secure fourth place in the National Championship and a place in the European League. After Sporting came back from three goals down, André Centeno was the last minute hero with the decisive goal.

Nuno Lopes following Sporting's CERS Cup Final Four loss

Nuno Lopes spoke with gathered radio journalists after his side's CERS Cup Final Four penalty loss to Vilafranca this Saturday evening.

“It wasn't what we wanted, but we knew it would be a hard match. If you only score one goal then you are always at risk. We were prepared and nothing surprised us, but of course we wanted more. Maybe we should have risked a bit more. Both sides had chances in the second-half, but we played an entire half with nine fouls and that last one just didn't appear. Last year we came out on top from the penalties, but not this time", said the Alvalade roller hockey coach.

Sporting finally stopped on penalties after 1-1 draw

Sporting CP fell short of keeping the CERS Cup in Alvalade this Saturday, after a battling loss to Vilafranca that eventually saw Nuno Lopes' side miss out on penalties.

The encounter got off to a balanced start, with Vilafranca in particular happy to run the clock down when in possession and taking very few risks going forward. It was following a slip by Poka in the 7th minute that the Spaniards made their first major push, but Girão managed to make a stop to keep the scoreboard blank.

Sporting responded with some well organised passing, but the Spaniards did a smart job of mounting a defensive wall around their goal and forced the team from Alvalade to resort to shots from range. Following one of Vilafranca's rare uncontrolled dashes forward, Sporting took the opportunity to really threaten for the first time, but Luís Viana was unable to keep his shot on target.

Looking to take command of proceedings, Nuno Lopes switched Poka and Luís Viana for Tuco and Cacau and the change almost proved just the trick in the 14th minute, but the Brazilian could not capitalise on his opportunity. Sporting finally got a foothold and Vilafranca didn't hold out long on the back foot. Losna was brought down in the area in the 23rd minute by Eduard Fernandéz and Luís Viana stepped up for the penalty to open he scoring.

Vilafranca drew level just seconds after the restart through Roger Rocasalbas and the game really opened up, with both defensive lines now looking to get forward and both sides picking up the pace. Chances naturally followed, with both Poka and Cacau testing Gerard Camps in the Vilafranca goal and Girão making stops in the Sporting goal.

With just a minute of regulation time to play, Vilafranca looked to have snatches the win, but Girão pulled off a phenomenal save to deny Roger Rocasalbas. Cacau broke forward in response, but his pass to Tuco came up just short and the game headed for extra-time.

The additional period began with Marc Navarro forcing Girão into a save and with João Pinto firing just inches high of the Vilafranca goal. Chance after chance followed for both outfits, but neither keeper looked like conceding, as the game headed for penalties.

Luís Viana was the first to step up to the spot, but was denied by the Vilafranca keeper, before Girão did the same from Eduardo Fernandéz. The same happened with Poka and Joan Vasquéz, before both sides struck from their third attempt through Losna and Marc Navarro. Ricardo Figueira's shot was then saved by the Vilafranca keeper, but Girão again pulled off the same trick from Jordi Galan's effort. Last to step up was Tuco and the Spanish keeper again come out on top, before Eduard Fernandéz finally decided it from the last penalty of the evening.