Alvalade youngsters called up for training camp

The Sporting CP futsal under-21 players Varela and Mesquita have both been called up by coach José Luís for a training camp.

Thw pair will be away as of the 24th of January, ahead of an encounter against the Portuguese senior team on the 26th.

Portugal to take on Russia on the 27th and 29th of January

Jorge Braz has included three Sporting CP athletes in his squad for two coming friendlies against Russia.

Pedro Cary, João Matos and André Sousa are the three from Alvalade who will feature. 

Alvalade futsal star given the green lights for two friendlies

Dieguinho has been called up to the Brazilian national futsal team for two friendlies in Barcelona, Spain.

Dieguinho is one of this season's new faces in the Alvalade futsal armoury, after impressing in the 2016 World Cup.

Nuno Dias left almost speechless by Sunday's UEFA Futsal Cup emotion

"An amazing match, in every way." Those were the words of an ecstatic Nuno Dias on Sunday, after watching his side overcome the powerful FC Dynamo in the UEFA Futsal Cup and secure a place in the competition's Final Four.

Resisting efforts to pull him away to party with his players, the Alvalade futsal coach took moment to reflect: "This match took a lot out of us physically and emotionally. The key was the character of my players, the way they were able to adapt at half-time to do better. Today I want to celebrate, this is an amazing achievement. We are the only non-seeded team to get into the Final Four and we even came out on top against the Russian champions. I honestly cannot find the words to explain how I feel about our fans and the way they supported us when everything felt lost."

Diogo thanks the fans for their support in Sporting CP's Final Four passage

The support of the fans. For Diogo, that is what made the difference in Sporting CP's passage into the UEFA Futsal Cup Final Four

"The fans getting behind us was fundamental. There was a period there in the first-half where we were a bit nervous, but we controlled ourselves in the second-half", said Diogo at the final whistle, adding a word on the Final Four: "We have big objectives and we are will work hard to achieve them."

Battling 3-3 draw against FC Dynamo qualifies Nuno Dias's side for UEFA Futsal Cup showdown

Sporting CP are once again in the UEFA Futsal Cup Final Four and it is thoroughly deserved. Nuno Dias and Co. are the only side to have come out on top against a seeded team, with Kairat Almart (Group A), Ugra Yugorsk (Group B) and Inter FS (Group C) all topping their respective groups.

Skipper João Matos opened the afternoon's scoring with a brilliant volley that almost blew the roof of the Odivelas Multiuse Arena with an absolute eruption from the capacity crowd. It was just the first of three Sporting CP goals brought about from set pieces. The notched up the pressure in response, while Merlin came close to extending the lead on two occasions.

Nuno Dias on Sporting CP's 16-1 win against Târgu Mures

Nuno Dias was understandably happy with his side's dismantling of Târgu Mures this Friday night, tallying an amazing sixteen goals.

"All we were focusing on was winning. We had the benefit of knowing that we needed 12 goals and the lads were motivated to go out there and do it. I just tried to keep everyone relaxed and to keep the pace up. I knew if we did that then the result would follow", opened the Alvalade futsal coach, adding: "We focused more on how we were playing than the result. The way we were pressing and moving the ball around was always going to bring results in the second-half. There is no way our opponent could have kept up with us."

Nuno Dias's side tally amazing total to take control of Group D

Building on last night's 4-1 win against ETO Gyor, Sporting CP demolished a spirited Târgu Mures side on Friday night. The final result of 16-1 was also enough to better FC Dynamo's totals so far, moving Sporting CP into first in the group and meaning that a draw is enough for the team from Alvalade to claim a place in the Final Four.

Despite the expressive final result, it was actually a game of two very distinct parts. Sporting CP were determined to score, but a bitter of overenthusiasm going forward saw too many shots attempted from range. The result read 3-0 at half-time, with two of the goals coming as a result of Marcão moving up the pitch. In fact, it was the Alvalade custodian who opened the evening's scoring, blasting into the top corner from range.

A reaction was expected from Nuno Dias's side after the break and it certainly came. Pace and class in possession put the Romanians under unbearable pressure and the goal tally quickly ran out of control. Varela was first to strike, pretty much with the blow of the opening whistle, and in 10 minutes Sporting CP fired in a total of eight goals to take an 11-0 lead. With 12 the target, Sporting CP continued to push and more goals naturally came. There was also time for Târgu Mures to get a consolation goal of their own, with a cheeky effort from range lopping over Gonçalo Portugal. 

Nuno Dias happy with his side's Elite Round showing

"Of course I am happy. Our objective was to open with a win", said Nuno Dias after watching his side beat Eto Gyor on UEFA Futsal Cup Elite Round group D matchday 1.

The Alvalade futsal coach went on to reflect further on the match and what the rest of the tournament is likely to hold: "I said we would be playing against a really strong team who would give us a hard time. It was a good match for both teams and the win was down to us sticking together during the harder moments. Congratulations to Gyor, they are a quality side. Tomorrow Targus might be a big dismissive in relation to the final result, which will open the game up and give us more opportunities. Let's wait and see."

Nuno Dias's Lions convince in Elite Round opener

The stage might be different, but Sporting CP's form certainly wasn't on Thursday night, as Nuno Dias's side dismissed ETO Gyor with a 4-1 win in the Odivelas Multiuse Arena.

More than 1,800 spectators turned out for the encounter, which saw both sides push the pace from start to finish in what was an enticing game of top quality futsal. Cavinato was the first to find the back of the net, amazingly with just 16 seconds passed on the clock!

Everything looked to be under control, but the Hungarian visitors were not about to throw in the towel so easily and despite Sporting CP's best efforts goalkeeper Matkovics kept his side within touching distance.

Down the other end, Marcão was also called into action on two occasions (10' and 12'). Honestly 1-0 was not a fair result for either side at half-time and that is probably what gave Sporting CP an extra lift coming out after the break. Diogo finally doubled the lead (21') before Dieguinho blasted a shot in to the top corner three minutes later.

Although with Sporting CP comfortably leading, ETO Gyor refused to give up and Álex pulled a goal back (36'), before João Matos finally settled the result.

Sporting CP sit top of Elite Round Group D along with the Russians of FC Dynamo, who put eleven past Targu-Mures por 11-1.