Nuno Lopes looks ahead to CERS Cup Final Four

Alvalade's roller hockey team have the chance to claim a seventh European title this weekend, with the CERS Cup that Sporting so brilliantly won last year up for grabs in Barcelos. “We have to be optimistic and to respect our opponent. It is easy to sit here and talk, but the truth is that this club always plays to win. That is who we are", declared coach Nuno Lopes in his pre-tournament press conference this weekend, ahead of the clash with Vilafrance at 21h45 on Saturday.

“It is curious to see how things have changed this year. Last year nobody really knew what to make of us and we were the underdogs, especially against Réus. This year both us and Barcelos, who are playing at home, are getting more attention. Form on the day makes a big difference in roller hockey and the Final Four will be no exception. The way we are playing now is completely different. For example, last year we always won or lost by a narrow margin, but this year we are more offensive and have notched up some big results. We have experience in the squad and some of the lads have already won international tournaments" explained the Alvalade coach.

In relation to Vilafranca, Nuno Lopes is of course expecting a tough encounter, despite the Spaniards currently languishing down in 9th place in their domestic league. “Vilafranca are a typical Spanish team in the way they play, with three or four really strong players who can make the difference from set pieces and penalties. They will be well organised and will try and keep the game balanced, so that Edu Fernández and Rocasalbas can do damage from dead balls. We know that they will try and do and we will of course try and prevent it. Looking at where they are in the league will only take our focus off what matters most", finished Lopes.

Vicente Moura takes time out to meet with roller hockey squad

Sporting's vice-president for sports, Vicente Moura, spent the morning with the club's roller hockey squad this Thursday, ahead of the trip to Barcelos for the CERS Cup Final Four. Reflecting on his day, the Alvalade figurehead proved confident of reclaiming the title won last year.

“I am convinced that the team will compete at the highest level. Last year I was there and Sporting was not the favourite, but we faced two Spanish teams and we won. That as only possible because this team plays with its hear and soul. A year later things are different of course. Some players have left and some have come in and everyone knows what we are about now, so we won't be a surprise. The match against Vilafranca will be hard, but we believe in the players, coaches and staff. They will do their best, like they did last year", said Vicente Moura in a conversation with the club's official website.

Sporting to face Vilafranca on the 30th of April

Sporting's roller hockey team will face the Spanish side Vilafrance in the semi-finals of the CERS Cup Final Four, in a 21h00 start on the 30th of April.

Meanwhile, the hosts OC Barcelos will face the Italian side Matera at 19h00 on the same day.

The final will be played at 19h00 on Sunday the 1st of May.

Competition to be held from the 30th of April to the 1st of May

Óquei de Barcelos have been selected to host this season's roller hockey CERS Cup Final Four, taking place from the 30th of April to the 1st of Ma.

Barcelos beat Sporting for the right to organise the competition, which will see Sporting CP face Vilafranca and Óquei de Barcelos face Matera.

Nuno Lopes' opinion on his side's 10-3 win against Sarzana

Sporting are in the CERS Cup Final Four and one step closer to retaining the trophy, to the obvious satisfaction of coach Nuno Lopes.

“I am happy. We wanted to make our own tribute to Commander Vicente Moura (Sporting's director of sports) and to get into the Final Four. We knew we already had one foot in the door, but we wanted to finish it off here today. This will be our second time in the Final four and we once again we will be playing on the international stage", said Nuno Lopes, adding: "It was a pretty straight forward game. We could have scored twice as man goals, but maybe that wouldn't have been fair for Sarzana. What matters is that we are in the Final Four again."

iago Losna on his side's passage into the CERS Cup Final Four

Speaking with radio journalists after netting thre goals in Sporting's 10-3 thrashing of Sarzana, Tiago Losna reaffirmed his side's determination to retain the CERS Cup.

“It was a good match and we are in the Final Four now. That is what we wanted and we know how important it is for the club. We had to start strong and we showed a great attitude. We won this competition last year and we want to do it again this year. We are on the right track, but of course we know we will face more good teams", commented the Alvalade hockey star.

Sporting CP put ten past Sarzana in CERS Cup second-leg

Sporting finished off what they had started in Italy with a 10-3 win against Sarzana in the CERS Cup this Saturday, guaranteeing a place in the competition's Final Four.

Captain Ricardo Figueira had warned that his side would not be sitting back on their first-leg advantage and his statement certainly rang true out on the court, with Tiago Losna striking early for the game's opener. A second soon followed, this time courtesy of Luís Viana from the penalty spot. Completely dispelling any doubt about who would be heading for the Final Four, Tiago Losna bagged his second.

The action was completely one way and Luís was next to find the back of the net with two strikes of his own, shortly after Ricardo Figueira had also tried his luck on the Italians' goal. Turning the screw even tighter, João Pinto pulled a stop out of the Sarzana keeper, before Cacau clinically finished to make it 5-0 five minutes before the beak.

Four minutes before half-time, Sarzana responded from the penalty spot through Luca Sterpini, but the visiting captain was adjudged to have taken two touches of the ball and his goal was ruled out. In reply, João Pinto came close to extending Sporting's lead further, but Alessio Peroni managed to make a save. The sixth wouldn't be long coming though, as Poka recovered possession in midfield and worked play forward with Cacau through a move that was finished off by Tuco.

The second-half got off to a blistering start for the hosts and João Pinto and André Centeno were next to try their eye for goal, only to be denied by goalkeeper Alessio Peroni. Shortly afterwards, Tiago Losna was brought down and a penalty and he himself stepped up to convert and make it 7-0.

Not even one minute had passed when Tuco snatched back possession and instigated a counter-attack that André Centeno blasted into the back of the net to put Sporting eight goals ahead. Credit to Sarzana for not rolling over and a few minutes later the Italians pulled a goal back through Matteo Pistelli. Andrea Perroni also managed to find the net a minute later, but with the difference between the two sides still standing at twelve goals, a comeback would be all but impossible.

Finally quelling the Italians' short-lived resistance, Sporting CP again pushed forward and Cacau scored his second to make it 9-2, before Sarzana stubbornly clawed another goal back. The final goal of the encounter was netted by Cacau, before a bit of drama in the last minute saw Raed receive a blue card for a foul on Luís Viana.

As the final whistle sounded, Sporting comfortably moved into the CERS Cup Final Four and are one step closer to retaining their title.

Sporting with one foot in CERS Cup Final Four after dominating showing in Italy

Sporting's roller hockey team took an enormous step towards the CERS Cup Final Four this Saturday night, with a 8-2 first-leg win in Italy against Sarzana.

Nuno Lopes' side led 2-1 at the break, courtesy of goals from André Centeno and Luís Viana, while Javier Amat responded for the hosts. Zorro then made it 3-1, before, Poka, Losna, João Pinto and Tuco all contributed to the final score.

The second leg will be placed in the SC Livramento Arena, on the 5th of March.

CERS Cup quarter-final results in full:

- Matera (Italy)-Cremona Hockey (Italy), 10-0

- Sarzana (Italy)-SPORTING, 2-8

- Reus (Spain)-Vilafranca (Spain), 2-1

- OC Barcelos (Portugal)-Amatori Lodi (Italy), 8-4

Tuco shares his thoughts on Saturday's CERS Cup tie

Sporting's roller hockey team will face Sarzana in the first-leg of the CERS Cup this Saturday. Tuco was the player of choice for the pre-match press conference this week, with the Argentinean having spent seven years in Italy, between Novara, Primavera Prato, Breganze, Trissino and Bassano.

“Our main expectation is to leave Italy with a win. We know that this is just the first 50 minutes, but we want to bring a good result back for the second-leg", affirmed the South American in an interview this week, adding: "I was here for seven years, so I am used to the differences. We had a session today to adapt to the court here and it was important for us to relax a bit as well. Now we will rest a bit and start focusing on the match. Sarzana have never been one of the top teams, but at home they are strong."

Sarzana-Sporting will get underway at 21h00 on Saturday, in Sarzana, Italy.

First-leg in Italy on the 6th of February

Sporting CP will face the Italian team Sarzana in the CERS Cup quarter-finals. Hockey Sarzana currently sit in 11th place in their domestic league, with 12 points.

The first-leg will be played in Sarzana on the 6th of February, with the return fixture in Lisbon in March.

Last-16 results in full:

- Matera (Italy)-Alcoy (Spain), 5-3 (8-7 aggregate)

- Follonica (Italy)-Wasken Lodi (Italy), 2-4 (4-6 aggregate)

- Coutras (France)-OC Barcelos (Portugal), 10-19 (8-7 aggregate)

- Uttingen (Switzerland)-Sarzana (Italy), 3-3 (6-8 aggregate)

- St. Omer (France)-Cremona Hockey (Italy), 3-4 penalties (5-6 aggregate)

- Sporting-Cronenberg (Germany), 19-3 (36-8 aggregate)

- Reus (Spain)-Turquel (Portugal), 7-5 (10-7 aggregate)

- Vilafranca (Spain)-Juv. Viana (Portugal), 5-3 (8-6 aggregate)

Quarter-final draw in full:

- Reus (Spain)-Vilafranca (Spain)

- OC Barcelos (Portugal)-Wasken Lodi (Italy)

- Matera (Italy)-Cremona Hockey (Italy)

- Sarzana (Italy)-Sporting