The team from Oliveira de Azeméis won the second WSE Continental Cup in their history after a great final, a lot of struggle and sacrifice. Both UD Oliveirense and Sporting CP fought and gave everything to win the match, but it was the home team that came out on top in the final moments, when Lucas Martínez scored twice to virtually decide the winner.
The WSE Continental Cup 2024 has been awarded: UD Oliveirense are the big winners after a well-played, very even game. There were no goals in the first half, but it was in the second half that the scoreboard opened up and UD Oliveirense were stronger, motivated by the energy coming from the stands.
The game started at a very high level and was very evenly balanced. Both Sporting CP and UD Oliveirense set their sights very high so as not to allow their opponents an inch of space. With the crowd in their favour, the team from Oliveira de Azeméis took the control, shooting dangerously – through Bruno di Benedetto and Marc Torra, for example – while defending well. But Sporting CP could also have opened the scoring – Alessandro Verona or Facundo Bridge shot with conviction – and it was the goalkeepers who shone, with Ângelo Girão and Xano Edo making important saves. Given the balance, it was no surprise that the score was levelled at half-time.
The game remained one of maximum commitment on the rink, with hockey worthy of a major final and both goalkeepers continuing to shine. But the goals would come. First for UD Oliveirense, with captain Marc Torra opening the way in an individual move. Sporting CP equalised shortly afterwards through Matías Platero, also on a one-on-one. Everything was even again and the pavilion was on fire, with both benches cheering on their teams.
Then Argentinian Lucas Martínez turned the game in the home team’s favour, scoring two goals a minute apart with two powerful shots from outside the area, beating Girão. Sporting CP still pressed and managed to reduce the deficit, through Roc Pujadas (48′), but with no time left, the lions gave up the goalkeeper in the last minute, but when they lost the ball Xavi Cardoso closed the scoring and allowed the party to continue.
UD Oliveirense succeed FC Porto and Valongo, winners in 2023 and 2022 respectively.
What the protagonists said:
“We lost a final even though we played a good game. I’d like to congratulate Oliveirense because luck fell their way and they’re the rightful winners. We’re in a process of growth, we played an exciting final, well contested. It’s a big season and we’re still at the beginning and we’re going to do everything we can to bring new joy to our fans.”
Matías Platero – Player from Sporting CP
“It’s a moment of great happiness, with lots of things going through my head. I want to congratulate Sporting, because they were a great opponent. And I’d like to dedicate this title to the fans, thank the sponsors, the board, our families. I think we deserved it, it was a spectacular final, thank you to everyone. The team was fantastic, we fought as a whole, we’re going to celebrate, but we’ve got a very important game coming up on Wednesday.”
Marc Torra – Player from UD Oliveirense
“I want to congratulate UD Oliveirense, they did a great job. All finals are decided by details and that’s what happened. It was a very equal game, with chances for both sides, and whoever scored decided it. I’m very proud of my players, they played a fantastic game and I’ve already told them that this is the way forward. If it was Sporting who won, I’d be a fair winner too, because it was a much better final, for example, than the Champions League final… but unfortunately for me I didn’t manage to win again.”
Edo Bosch – Coach from Sporting CP
“It was a very tight first half and Sporting had the best chances, but we went in search of rigour. The way we came on in the second half and went forward gave us momentum and we took the game. We did, however, fall short when it came to finishing and we could have wrapped the game up earlier. But congratulations, it was a great game. Nobody wins finals by chance, we were more assertive in our decisions in the second half. Congratulations to Sporting for their excellent response, but we were just winners. I’d like to congratulate the organisation, the Oliveira de Azeméis City Council, the Federation and Sigma Stars, which is starting to become an important partner. This victory has given us the confidence to have a great season.”
Nuno Resende – Coach from UD Oliveirense
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, 1-5
Final – 27/10/2024
Sporting CP vs UD Oliveirense, 2-4
