Three-time National Champion has won another achievement after a dreamy season

The three-time National Champion futsal coach, Nuno Dias, was chosen - for the third time in a row - as the best coach of the 2017/18 SportZone League.

The coach, who has been ahead of Sporting CP’s futsal team since the season of 2012, is also the coach with more titles in Portugal

Nuno Dias's team discipline made the diference

It was the title match and the lions don’t usually fail when it comes to raising trophies. In the re-issue of the last two UEFA Futsal Cup finals, Sporting CP beat Inter Movistar (4-2) and won the Masters Cup. In Portimão, and with many green and white supporters in the stands, the three-time national champions became the first Portuguese team to win the coveted pre-season trophy.




Although we have several new faces, the team dynamic remains; "We knew it was not going to be an easy competition. Sporting CP did their job well and we achieved these two victories. This shows the power that our team has, even with many players leaving and the entry of others. The group is reacting well and those who arrived too", confirmed Dieguinho.

Nuno Dias shakes off UEFA Futsal Cup loss with a word of praise for his team

"We played well and I stick by what I said after the semi-finals: It is an honour to be the coach of this team", said Nuno Dias in his post-match press conference on Sunday, after his side missed out to a highly effective Inter Movistar team in the UEFA Futsal Cup Final.

The Sporting CP coach was frustrated with the final result, however that did not dent his confidence in his players: "My players fight for the best results possible, but that didn't happen today. The difference today was in a few situations that we didn't do well in and that Inter took advantage of. We were on top on a few occasions, but we didn't take our opportunities. We were missing that bit of confidence that a goal gives. We didn't deserve such a heavy result today, the numbers are ridiculous. The lads are understandably sad, but we are still in a lot of competitions and still have a lot of games to win."

Nuno Dias looks ahead to Sunday's UEFA Futsal Cup final

Nuno Dias and Jesus Velasco were both in the Almaty Arena press room this Saturday, ahead od Sunday's UEFA Futsal Cup showdown. Dias started by congratulating the Inter Movistar coach on reaching the final for a second consecutive season, having missed out last season on home soil again this year's host's Kairat.

"We sat up last night doing a bit of analysis. Ugra rely on using their pivots, with strong players who are really tough in the individual battle. Tactically Inter are a lot more mobile and they get around the court more. They are really aggressive in defence and have some well drilled tactics. Both semi-finals were identical, with both finalists winning by a single goal. This is going to be a really balanced game, although the odds are on for Inter, who have already won this competition three times. They are top of the league considered as the best in the world", said Nuno Dias.

Although faced by an almost terrifyingly brilliant Inter side, Nuno Dias sees his side's spirit and unity as the key to claiming the silverware: "The spirit amongst the lads has been fantastic during this competition. We are in great form right now and enjoying what is the best club competition in the world. What makes the difference could be something just like what happened in the semi-final. There will be moments when Sporting CP is better and others when Inter is. Everything will depend on if we can come together and suffer together when we have to. We will have to defend with everything we have got and surprise Inter when we can."

Nuno Dias relaxed in the press room after inspiring his side to the UEFA Futsal Cup final

Nuno Dias was surprisingly calm in the Almaty Arena press room, analysing how his side got the better of the reigning European champions.

“It was a balanced game, but a fair win. The players showed an extraordinary attitude, but all of the best changes were ours. We have to give credit to Ugra of course, because they really tired us out. I told the players that they are exactly what a team should be and it is privilege to be part of this group. The key was in the quality and unity of the squad. We took our chances and stood together. Now the lads deserve a rest", said Dias.

The Sporting CP coach went on to elaborate on what made the difference: "Look at the example of the first goal, with Merlim dribbling past his opponent. After that we blocked the game out in defence, against three world class Pivots. Leo was really good."

Nuno Dias and Kaká face off in the press room ahead of Friday's encounter out on the court

The Sporting CP and Ugra coaches and skippers were in the Almaty Arena press room this Thursday to fire the starting gun for the UEFA Futsal Cup semi-finals. Nuno Dias and João Matos for Sporting CP and Kaká and Aleksandr Kopeikin for Ugra, ahead of what promises to be a memorable encounter. Dias and Kaká both opened with a reflection on how they have been preparing for Friday's showdown.

Nuno Dias: "Preparing for this competition isn't that different to how we prepare for any match. Ugra play in a country with a lot of different time zones and are used to traveling a lot. It makes it a bit harder for us, while they (Ugra) are used to it. There is one other thing which I think is really important and that is the ability to use your whole squad for the whole season. Sporting CP can't do that because of regulations, so obviously we can't build up as many routines. That goes against us a bit, but thankfully in this competition we can put it right."

Kaká: "Unfortunately and like Sporting CP we had a league game at the weekend. There is a three-hour difference for us here as well, but it is nothing to worry about. We deal with the time difference a lot when traveling around Russia, so that is why we only came 24 hours before the game. The lads are used to it."

The pair were also asked what it is that will likely make a difference come the opening whistle on Friday.

Nuno Dias: "Some thing we can't control. Things like players one on one, set pieces or four against five, which I think will happen. Anything like that makes a difference. The team that surprises the other will win."

Kaká: "Three fouls by Dynamo resulted in three goals. In one of them a player turned his back and the ball went through his legs. That is the kind of thing we have to watch out for."

Futsal Planet names Sporting CP in shortlist for world's best team

Futsal Planet named its list for the world's best club 2016 this week. Sporting CP is nominated after a season that saw Nuno Dias' side win every national competition on offer.

The full list of 10 is: Barateiro Futsal (female); Club Cerro Porteño; SC Corinthians; MFK Gazprom Ugra MFC; AFC Kairat Futsal Kairat; Magnus Futsal; Inter Movistar Fútbol Sala; NAFIT Al-Wasat; Nagoya Oceans; and Sporting Clube de Portugal.

Speaking with the Sporting Journal, coach Nuno Dias affirmed: "It is an honour, but I see it as only natural. We won everything we could last season and that is direct result of how this team performs. On the one hand we are happy, but on the other you have to be at the top of your game."