The teams that will contest the grand final of the WSE Champions League 2024/25 have been chosen: OC Barcelos joined FC Porto after beating Spanish side CE Noia 3-1 in a well-played and balanced game. But the team from Minho were stronger and are through to their third final of the competition, which they have won on one occasion
OC Barcelos are in the final of the WSE Champions League after a brilliant game of strategy. Rui Neto’s men followed their instructions to the letter and played a great match, with a lot of maturity and organisation, against an opponent who defended well and never surrendered.
If the first semi-final of the day was a game of great strategic and tactical intensity, the match between the men from Barcelos and Catalonia was no exception. A lot of defensive rigor, intense speed and good chances for both sides during the first half. But no goals. Half-time arrived without the score changing.
At the restart, the pace was maintained. But a foul by Jordi Bargalló gave OC Barcelos a direct free kick and Miguel Rocha didn’t miss (34′). At a disadvantage, CE Noia stepped up their hockey in search of a saving goal. But with that they had to open up defensive gaps and in a quick counter-attack Danilo Rampulla scored the second (40′). In the end, CE Noia still managed to reduce the deficit following a penalty from Ivan Morales (47′), but the Barcelos team restored the two-goal difference shortly afterwards, with Miguel Rocha scoring twice (48′), leaving their fans euphoric with the guarantee of a place in the final.
After the first day of the Final Four, the highlight was the huge turnout of fans. Between the two games, around 4,500 fans passed through the Matosinhos Sports and Congress Centre, brightening up the rink hockey party.
Pol Manrubia (OC Barcelos) and Ivan Morales (CE Noia Freixenet) – Credit photo: World Skate Europe
Miguel Rocha (OC Barcelos) scored the third decisive goal – Credit Photo. World Skate Europe
Statements from the coaches:
NETO Rui, OC Barcelos coach
“I’m proud of my team for achieving our goal of reaching the final. It was a game against a great team, very tight. We’re going to enjoy this result and tomorrow we’ll be here to try and win, I’m sure we’ll have a full house for a great final.”
CORTIJO Carlos, CE Noia coach
“It was an excellent game, we made a great effort to try and get another result, but it wasn’t our day. I think that in the first half there was a lot of respect between both teams, then, at a disadvantage, we had to take our chances and we gave ourselves some space. Congratulations to OC Barcelos on reaching the final, they have a great team. I’m sad for our fans who came from far and wide to encourage us. We hope that in the future we’ll be able to make it to the final of this competition again.”
Statements from the players:
Miguel Rocha, OC Barcelos player
“We knew it was going to be a very tactical and tough game. We played two games against them in the group stage and drew both, today was different. They have a great team and they gave us a lot of trouble, but we were more effective and we’re in the final. We have to thank our fans, who never fail us. We really want to win titles for them and they’re the ones who give us a lot of strength. I’m very proud of this team and these fans. We’re stronger together and we’re to be congratulated.”
Jordi Bargalló, CE Noia player
“Congratulations to OC Barcelos, they played a great game. We tried to counter and impose our pace, but we had to chase the result. It wasn’t what we expected, we tried everything, but OC Barcelos were stronger. We have to stand up and thank our fans because they travelled many kilometer’s to support us, thank you for everything.”
Semi-final 2 of the WSE Champions League Final Four 2024/2025
Saturday, 10 May 2025 + 15h30 + Centro de Desportos e Congressos de Matosinhos
Referees: FRONTE Filippo (ITA) e RONDINA Marco (ITA)
OC BARCELOS, 3 CE NOIA, 1
1 ACEVEDO Conti 20 ROCA Blai
7 MANRUBIA Pol 4 ESTELLER Aleix ©
10 RAMPULLA Danilo, 2-0 (40’) 8 SALVADÓ Toni
19 QUERIDO Luís © 9 BARGALLÓ Jordi
44 ROCHA Miguel, 1-0 (34’), 3-1 (48’) 97 MORALES Ivan, 2-1 (48’)
27 BARBOSA Luís 99 JIMENEZ Iker
5 CHAMBELLA Santiago 6 COSTA Xavi
8 SILVA Pedro 26 ARAGONÈS Xavi
18 POKA 27 GABARRÓ Martí
24 VIEIRINHA 49 ANDREU Pau
Tr. NETO Rui Tr. CORTIJO Carlos
Calendar of the World Skate Europe Champions League Final Four 2024/2025:
– Saturday, May 10
Semi-final 2, at 12:00 (GMT+1): SL BENFICA – FC PORTO FIDELIDADE = 3-2 after overtimes
Semi-final 1, at 15:30 (GMT+1):: OC BARCELOS – CE NOIA FREIXENET = 3-1
– Sunday, May 11
Final, at 16:00 (GMT+1): OC BARCELOS – FC PORTO FIDELIDADE
Live TV: DAZN and Porto Canal | Live Streaming – WSETV – Media kit available in our website during the night
