A fantastic game between Sporting CP and Follonica Hockey to open the WSE Continental Cup, with good hockey and uncertainty right to the end of a game that had to go to extra time to find the first finalist.
A tremendous game of rink hockey between two great European teams. Sporting CP went into half-time leading 3-1, but Follonica Hockey reacted and ended regulation time 4-4, taking the game into extra time. The Portuguese team prevailed and secured their place in the final.
The winners of WSE Champions League soon showed what they were about and in the third minute, Spaniard Toni Pérez opened the scoring after a good attacking initiative. A minute later, argentinian Facundo Bridge made it 2-0. Everything was looking good for the Lions.
But they reduced the deficit and added excitement to the game when Marco Pagnini made it 2-1, already after Davide Banini had missed from a direct free kick. The equaliser could have come shortly afterwards, but Davide Banini missed again from a direct free kick.
The Italians failed and the Lions took advantage to make it 3-1, through Henrique Magalhães, who finished off a fine initiative from João Souto. Before the break, the score changed again, with Fernando Montigel reducing the deficit a minute before the end of the first half.
When Sporting CP came back into the game, it was Follonica Hockey who equalised in a quick counterattack through Francesco Banini. 3-3 and a match full of emotion. João Souto could have broken the deadlock in favour of Sporting CP, but he too missed from a direct free kick.
Moralised, the Italian team took the lead from a direct free kick, which this time Francesco Banini converted. Follonica Hockey were more confident and could have increased their lead from a direct free kick, but this time Ângelo Girão closed down the goal and Francesco Banini missed.
The Lions also failed to materialise with two missed penalties, first by Alessandro Verona and then by Facundo Bridge. But the game was level again five minutes from the end, Facundo Bridge celebrating the equaliser and taking the game to extra time.
The Lions were once again stronger and more focused in extra time and took the lead that secured their place in the final through Alessandro Verona, with a winning shot from outside the area.
What the protagonists said:
“We have a young team, with several players who have just arrived. I think the physical part made the difference. But we’re proud of the game we played, we left the pitch with our heads held high. We’re going to fight in every game, that’s what our fans can expect, we’re going to give ourselves in every game.”
Fernando Montigel – Player from Follonica Hockey
“I know Verona well, they’re a team that never gives up. That’s why it wasn’t easy. We started well, made a few mistakes and they took advantage. But we had heart. We can’t make these mistakes against teams like that. We have to give credit to what we did and now we’ll fight to win in the final.”
Alessandro Verona – Player from Sporting CP
“We have to give credit to Sporting. I’d like to praise my team, we were extraordinary, we just lacked a bit of luck. We only had seven players, we lacked a bit of physical strength, but we still managed to take the game to extra time. We weren’t favourites but we have to be proud of what we did.” Sérgio Silva – Coach from Follonica Hockey
“I’m happy above all with the start of the game and the comeback. The first objective was achieved, which was to reach the final. We got off to a good start but we weren’t very happy afterwards. Follonica aren’t just any team, they have experienced people and they know how to play this type of game well. It was a good test, we were at a disadvantage and we had to know how to play, without opening our lines, we managed some good counter-attacks and everything went well, and I’m happy that we’re in the final.”
Edo Bosch – Coach from Sporting CP
WSE Continental Cup calendar 2024:
Semi-final 1 – 26/10/2024
Sporting CP – Follonica H, 5 – 4
Semi-final 2 – 26/10/2024
Igualada HC – UD Oliveirense, (18h00)
Final – 27/10/2024
Winner of semi-final 1 vs winner of semi-final 2
