Alvalade side miss out to Italian champion in CERH European League

Sporting CP were beaten by the Italian champion Forte dei Marmi in a 7-5 thriller this Saturday, on CERH European League matchday 3.

Guillem Pérez's side took a 4-3 lead at the break, after a a blistering start that saw Pedro Gil, João Pinto and Ferran Font strike without response. However, the Italians came out more determined after the break and managed to turn the result around, thanks largely to some good set piece work. Sergi Miras reduced the difference, before Gaston Oro finally put the match out of reach and sealed the points for the Italians.

Sporting CP opened the group with a 5-1 win against Quévert, before missing out to Reus (3-2) and now Forte dei Marmi.

Sporting CP will need to win in Italy on the 14th of January to keep hopes of qualification for the next round alive.

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.

José Trindade and Guillem Pérez on the weekend's CERH European League action

José Trindade was with the Sporting Journal this Friday afternoon to speak about CERH European League matchday 2, which will see Sporting visit Reus. "They (Reus) are a really strong side, they have brought in some big names and they are one of the teams at the top of European hockey right now. However, we are going there to get the three points. We believe we can do it and I am sure it will be a great match", said the Alvalade hockey coordinator.

Coach Guillem Pérez was also available for a few words on the encounter: "It will be our hardest match yet. As well as being away from home, it is against one of Europe's best teams. We know that every match in this competition is tough, but the lads are up for it and Sporting CP was out of the European League for far too long."

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."

Sporting CP back on the European stage in style

After far too many years absent, Sporting CP returned to CERH European League hockey this weekend. Who better to start with than the current French leaders, Dinan Quévert? The team Alvalade looked like the last time they were in the competition was just yesterday, with a dominating 5-1 win in the Alverca Municipal Pavilion.

The tone of the afternoon was clear from the start, with Sporting CP bossing the action and creating chances on Justin Lochu's goal almost a will. The first opportunity came in the very first minute through captain João Pinto. Quevert responded with a shot that pulled a fine stop out of Ângelo Girão, before a largely opportunity free spell that was only broken in the 21st minute, when Pedro Gil drilled an effort into the post. Not to be put off, Sporting CP pushed again an Caio could have done better from a one-on-one chance against the French keeper. A goal looked like just a matter of time, but was proving exceptionally difficult to come by. Two minutes before half-time, Girão made another brilliant save from a stinging shot, before João Pinto finally broke the deadlock after linking up with André Centeno.

Sporting CP's superiority really came through after the break and a second goal came as little surprise, coming again through captain João "Mustang" Pinto. The Alverca Municipal Arena were looking it and Miras lit the place on fire with two shots against the woodwork. Sixteen minutes and 48 seconds from the final whitel, Sporting CP netted a third courtey of Pedro Gil, before Quevert pulled a goal back through Omar Nedder against the run of play.

Sporting CP wanted more and six minutes from time a deserved 4th came. Miras stepped up to slot home from the penalty spot at the death to seal the result.

Alvalade roller hockey in force on the international stage

Rafael Lourenço, Tomás Moreira, Gonçalo Nunes, Gonçalo Conceição and Diogo Brandão are all included in the Portuguese squad for the coming CERH European U-20 Roller Hockey Championships, to take place in Switzerland from the 24th to the 29th of October.

Sporting in CERH European League Group C

Sporting will feature in CERH European League Group C, along with Forte dei Marmi (Italy), Reus (Spain) and Dinan Quevert (France).

Sporting's Pedro Gil already knows two of the sides well, having represented Forte dei Marmi for the last three seasons and Reus from 2007 to 2009.

Fixtures in full:

Sporting CP – Dinan Quevert (5th of November)

Reus – Sporting CP (26th of November)

Sporting CP – Forte dei Marmi (17th of December)

Forte dei Marmi – Sporting CP (14th of January)

Dinan Quevert – Sporting CP (4th of February)

Sporting CP – Reus (18th of February)

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.

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.