UD Oliveirense dominated and overcame the Spaniards from Igualada HC in a well-played game between two teams that have honoured rink hockey and brought a large crowd to the pavilion. The team from Oliveira de Azeméis qualified for the Portuguese final of the WSE Continental Cup, meeting Sporting CP in the decisive match.
Portuguese final in the WSE Continental Cup 2024, taking place in Oliveira de Azeméis. Playing at home, UD Oliveirense, beaten finalists in the last WSE Champions League, were stronger than Igualada HC, winners of the last WSE Cup, despite an well-balanced first half. After the break, they built up a comfortable lead and booked their place in Sunday’s final against Sporting CP.
Motivated by the home factor, with the pavilion in their favour, UD Oliveirense took control of the game, but Igualada HC closed their lines and defended well. That’s why it wasn’t until four minutes before half-time that the excitement of a goal roused the stands. It was Facundo Navarro who unlocked the result, realising a justified lead.
But the Spaniards weren’t intimidated by the atmosphere in the pavilion and showed their hockey, scoring with less than a minute and a half remaining in the first half. Marc Rouze, closing down a good attacking initiative by captain Roger Bars, equalised the score at half-time.
At the restart, the home team were determined and in control again, and following a penalty, captain Marc Torra put UD Oliveirense back in front, although there was still plenty to play for.
The match was intense, well played and the home side were stronger offensively. It was no surprise, therefore, that the result increased. Lucas Martínez shot wide, Facundo Navarro scored for the second time and Diogo Abreu rounded off the scoring. A perfect second half from UD Oliveirense, too strong for a resigned Spanish team.
What the protagonists said:
“We knew Oliveirense would pose a lot of problems and we had to defend well. We did well in the first half, but then… At 2-1 we could have defended better, and then as the score went up we couldn’t maintain our play, they were stronger. We have to pick ourselves up and improve.”
Eduard Fernández – Player from Igualada HC
“We started the game very well and despite equalising at half-time we always felt that the game was going to be ours. At half-time we spoke and we were stronger, we never felt that the game was out of control, we were better and just winners, always respecting our opponents. We’re going to another final, we’ve been in several in recent times but the truth is that we haven’t won any, we hope it’s this one.”
Diogo Abreu – Player from UD Oliveirense
“Oliveirense were superior. We conceded avoidable goals, we have to improve on some details. We’re a new team, with young people, we’re good defensively, but we have to make things happen. We’re confident of having a good season, but we have to keep working hard.”
Marc Muntane – Coach from Igualada HC
“We started very well, cancelling out their clearances and getting second balls, but we lacked a bit of decisiveness. Calmly we realised how we could get there. In the second half we managed to increase the score. We had to win at home, although Igualada are a good, strong team who had a good season last year. We’re going into a final against the reigning European champions and we really want to win to give our fans something to cheer about. It’s going to be a fun game and at a time when our club is having its birthday, we want to give our fans a present.”
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 (15:00)