Sporting obliterate opposition in CERS Cup first-leg

Sporting are well and truly in the driving seat in the CERS Cup last-16 first-leg against the German side Cronenberg. While the almost unbelievable final score of 5-17 gives Sporting the enviable task of closing out the tie in the return leg in Lisbon, it was not enough to beat the European record which was also set by Sporting back in 1984, with a 33-1 win over Sporting Gujan Mestras.

The final score really tells the tale of the tape. After seven minutes of probing up front, Luís Viana converted from the penalty spot to trigger the avalanche. André Centeno was next to strike in the 10th minute after being set up by Tuco, before Molet reduced the deficit for the hosts three minutes later. However, the goal was little more than a consolation for the Germans, as Sporting smartly went about building a 6-1 lead at the break through Cacau (15’), Viana (17’), Tuco (18’) and Poka (20’).

Unbelievably, a total of 15 goals were scored in the second-half: Molet made it 6-2 (1’), Luís Viana responded with 7-2 (3’), Molet again netted (6’), Cacau struck to make it 8-3 (9’), Molet once again responded (11’), but then Sporting absolutely raced away with it courtesy of Losna (13’) and Luís Viana (14’ and 15’), Poka (19’ and 25’), Centeno (19’), Ricardo Figueira (21’) and Losna (22’ and 23’).

João Pinto ahead of the visit to Cronenberg

While Alvalade vice-captain João Pinto is expecting a tough challenge from the German side Cronenberg in the CERS Cup, the Sporting roller hockey star highlighted the importance of a good result in the first-leg.

“We still don't know a lot about Cronenberg, but we know that they are a quality side and that it is hard to play at their place, especially because of the type of surface they play on. We will have to train on it before the match. It is a really soft court, but that can't act as an excuse for us. We want to win this and bring a good result back to Lisbon. We respect our opponent, but we are the holders of this trophy and we want to start off on the right foot on our way to winning it again", opened João Pinto, adding: "Playing in the CERS Cup again brings extra motivation. It is a great feeling, because of what we did last season."

Cronenberg-Sporting will get underway at 19h00GMT on Saturday the 12th of December, in the Wuppertal Arena, Germany.

Bruno de Carvalho's reaction after Barcelona win

Bruno de Carvalho returned from Luxemburg just in time to watch Sporting secure a memorable 2-0 win over Barcelona this Saturday night, in the Roller Hockey Continental Cup.

“It was great. This kind of spirit is really important for the club. We are a strong team and this year our objective is to win in every sport. People still doubt it, but we showed what we can do here today. Like Nuno Lopes said, nothing is won yet, but it was worth the effort to get here and see these magnificent fans. We have our feet firmly planted and we know that nothing is won yet, but we can’t overlook the watch that we beat Barcelona 2-0 tonight. That is the Sporting that we want”, said the Sporting president in an interview with Sporting TV, adding: “We showed we can beat the best in the world in any sport.”

Cacau and Tuco on Sporting's win over Barcelona

Sporting’s two goal scorers against Barcelona took a moment to speak with the press at the final whistle on Saturday night.

“We played really well. We knew what we would have to do if we wanted to win this. This was just the first-half, but we have started well. We were strong and we achieved our objective of being in with a fighting chance in Barcelona. They are a side with some of the best players in the world, but today we played as a team”, said Cacau, dedicating the win to his brother.

“It was a good game. However, there are still 50 minutes to go and that is a lot. Barca are a good team and they will fight to turn it around. We have to carry on believing in ourselves, because Barca aren’t going to change anything and they will play for the win”, affirmed Tuco, going on to comment on what was a fierce atmosphere: “I really want to say thank you to the fans. They created a fantastic environment and our opponent felt the pressure.”

Nuno Lopes on his side's win against Barcelona

The Sporting roller hockey coach Nuno Lopes was understandably proud of his side’s 2-0 win over Barcelona this weekend, in the first-leg of the Continental Cup.

“Today was like playing in the old Alvalade arena and that is what we needed. I told the players that they had to fight for the fans, because they deserve it. The lads were brilliant once again and they pulled it off against a great opponent. We were pragmatic, serious and we scored. We are only halfway through, but it is good to beat a team like Barcelona”, said the Alvalade coach at the final whistle, adding: “We haven’t won anything yet, but that shouldn’t stop us celebrating. It was a hard week, but it will only get harder. We have to carry on working hard now to keep making history and you do that with trophies.”

Cacau and Tuco on target in Continental Cup first-leg

Sporting’s roller hockey side once again brushed off the impossible this weekend, this time with a win over the European champions, Barcelona, in the first-leg of the Continental Cup.

The game got off to a lukewarm start, but the same could not be said for the packed stands roaring on the team from Alvalade. Essentially, both sides showed more fear of conceding than willingness to get forward in the opening exchanges, made even more complicated by a surface which was clinging on to the humidity.

Luís Viana hit the post in the 11th minute to give an injection of rhythm to the action, but both defences stood firm when called upon. The deadlock was fair at the break, despite Sporting’s slight advantage late on.

The second-half got off to much of the same, before Cacau struck 11 minutes in with a touch following a shot by Ricardo Figueira that nearly lifted the roof off the arena!

Trailing, Barcelona reacted as expected, pushing high up the court. However, the Spanish giants continued to struggle against an absolute rock of a Sporting defence. Pablo Álvarez and Panadero did test Girão in the Sporting goal, but he was in his usual world beating form and looked unlikely to be beaten. The team from Alvalade battled through the attacking storm and Tuco eventually gave his side breathing room with a strike in the 47th minute after a brilliant break away down the left to secure the win.

Sporting now will travel to Barcelona for the return leg on the 17th of this month.

Sporting to face Barcelona in European Supercup

Tickets will go on sale this week for sporting’s Roller Hockey European Supercup encounter with Barcelona, to be played at 16h00 on the 10th of October.

Tickets are priced at 7.5€ for Club Members and 10€ for fans.

European Super Cup first-leg on the 10th of October

Tickets for the Roller Hockey Sup Cup between Sporting and Barcelona first-leg are now on sale.

Tickets are priced at 7.50€ and will be on sale exclusively for Sporting Members at the Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices from 10h00 to 20h00.

CERS Cup winners fly up Europea rankings

Sporting’s roller hockey side has been named as Europe’s 8th best side following last season’s fantastic campaign

The massive jump in the rankings is on the back of last season’s CERS Cup final win over Réus.