Nuno Lopes following Sporting's CERS Cup Final Four loss

Nuno Lopes spoke with gathered radio journalists after his side's CERS Cup Final Four penalty loss to Vilafranca this Saturday evening.

“It wasn't what we wanted, but we knew it would be a hard match. If you only score one goal then you are always at risk. We were prepared and nothing surprised us, but of course we wanted more. Maybe we should have risked a bit more. Both sides had chances in the second-half, but we played an entire half with nine fouls and that last one just didn't appear. Last year we came out on top from the penalties, but not this time", said the Alvalade roller hockey coach.

Nuno Lopes looks ahead to CERS Cup Final Four

Alvalade's roller hockey team have the chance to claim a seventh European title this weekend, with the CERS Cup that Sporting so brilliantly won last year up for grabs in Barcelos. “We have to be optimistic and to respect our opponent. It is easy to sit here and talk, but the truth is that this club always plays to win. That is who we are", declared coach Nuno Lopes in his pre-tournament press conference this weekend, ahead of the clash with Vilafrance at 21h45 on Saturday.

“It is curious to see how things have changed this year. Last year nobody really knew what to make of us and we were the underdogs, especially against Réus. This year both us and Barcelos, who are playing at home, are getting more attention. Form on the day makes a big difference in roller hockey and the Final Four will be no exception. The way we are playing now is completely different. For example, last year we always won or lost by a narrow margin, but this year we are more offensive and have notched up some big results. We have experience in the squad and some of the lads have already won international tournaments" explained the Alvalade coach.

In relation to Vilafranca, Nuno Lopes is of course expecting a tough encounter, despite the Spaniards currently languishing down in 9th place in their domestic league. “Vilafranca are a typical Spanish team in the way they play, with three or four really strong players who can make the difference from set pieces and penalties. They will be well organised and will try and keep the game balanced, so that Edu Fernández and Rocasalbas can do damage from dead balls. We know that they will try and do and we will of course try and prevent it. Looking at where they are in the league will only take our focus off what matters most", finished Lopes.

Nuno Lopes' opinion on his side's 10-3 win against Sarzana

Sporting are in the CERS Cup Final Four and one step closer to retaining the trophy, to the obvious satisfaction of coach Nuno Lopes.

“I am happy. We wanted to make our own tribute to Commander Vicente Moura (Sporting's director of sports) and to get into the Final Four. We knew we already had one foot in the door, but we wanted to finish it off here today. This will be our second time in the Final four and we once again we will be playing on the international stage", said Nuno Lopes, adding: "It was a pretty straight forward game. We could have scored twice as man goals, but maybe that wouldn't have been fair for Sarzana. What matters is that we are in the Final Four again."

Nuno Lopes on Sporting's place in the CERS Cup quarter-finals

Nuno Lopes was understandably pleased with his side's attitude in the CERS Cup this weekend, turning in a 19-3 win despite already holding a massive lead from the first-leg in Cronenberg.

“We were really strong. We started well and we didn't slow up. We scored five or six really early quite easily. It is normal that the game then slows down a bit with so many changes. The most important thing was the win for the squad and for our fans, who were out there with us again", said the Alvalade roller hockey coach, adding a word on his objectives in the competition: "We believe we can turn in wins, especially after already winning the Super Cup this season. We want to finish as high up the league as possible and to focus on the CERS Cup. We will play against Hockey Sarzana next, which will be hard, but it will be decided in Lisbon and that is important."

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.”