The eight best roller hockey teams in the country will be in Portimão, from 20 to 22 September, to compete in the fourth edition of the Azemad Elite Cup Portimão, a pre-season competition that is «increasingly a reference competition».
This morning, at the presentation and draw of the games, which took place at a hotel in Portimão, Ângelo Girão, player of Sporting Clube de Portugal, champion of Europe, and of the national team champion of the world, stressed that, despite being a « friendly tournament», «everyone likes to win».
However, explained the goalkeeper who was one of the main responsible for the world title that Portugal achieved after 16 years of interregnum, the Algarve competition is above all important "in order to prepare the new season" of hockey.
Sporting (European champion in title and tournament winner in 2018), FC Porto (national champion), Oliveirense (winner of the Portuguese Cup), Benfica (winner of the Elite Cup in 2017), Paço d'Arcos will participate in the Elite Cup , Óquei de Barcelos, Juventude de Viana and HC Braga.
The opening game, on the 20th, at Portimão Arena, will pit FC Porto against HC Braga. The final is scheduled for the 22nd, at 16 pm.
This year, in addition to the move of the tournament from the Sports Pavilion to the Portimão Arena, where, according to the mayor, Isilda Gomes, the competition will take place "with more dignity", there are also new features at the floor (lighter and more removable) and at the ball, made in an innovative material and with a color that allows for greater contrast, making it easier to follow the quick moves.
Jorge Almeida, player of Oliveirense, expressed the desire that his team take advantage of this Elite Cup to "prepare as best as possible for the complicated season ahead". Girão, Sporting's goalkeeper, promised "a lot of competition" and "the best shows". For his part, Gustavo Lima, from Juventude de Viana, stressed that this is «increasingly a reference competition, where clubs like to be present».
The mayor from Portimo, Isilda Gomes made a point of giving a good-humored “alert”. It's just that, he recalled, «we started to have Futsal competitions here and Portimonense rose to the XNUMXst League of the modality. We also have the Hóquei Clube de Portimão here, so take care, because HCP will soon be competing with you».
Opening Games on the 20th:
1 game
FC Porto vs HC Braga
2 game
Oliveirense vs Youth of Viana
3 game
Sporting vs Ockey de Barcelos
4 game
Benfica vs Paço d'Arcos
Photos: Elisabete Rodrigues | Sul Informação
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