Under-20 world champion one of Portugal's most promising youngsters

Sporting CP has officially agreed a contract with Gonçalo Nunes, who actually represented Benfica last season. Aged just 17, Nunes is already under-20 world champion.

Gonçalo Nunes, trained just down the road at Paço de Arcos, couldn't hide his satisfaction with the move: "It is a dream come true for any player to get into the senior team, especially at a club like Sporting."

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.

Diogo Brandão, Rafael Lourenço, Tomás Correia, José Tiago all named

For Sporting youngsters have been called up to the national squad training camps taking place on the 6th and 7th of June, in preparation for the coming European Championships.

For the under-20's, Diogo Brandão, Rafael Lourenço and Tomás Moreira feature, while José Tiago has been named for the under-17's.

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.

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."