Final decided in five sets
It was necessary to wait. It was necessary to suffer. It took five sets. And go to the advantages in black to find the winner of the 2024 edition of the Portuguese Cup.
It took six matchpoints for the lions, who in the middle nullified two from Fonte do Bastardo. But Sporting won the competition by winning 3-2 (25-16); (20-25); (25-22); (20-25) and (22-20) the decisive game that will be played in Viana do Castelo.
Who knew, after that first set…
The lions entered the final very strong, as shown by the illuminating numbers with which they closed the first set: 25-16. One day after beating Benfica (3-1), who had won the last two editions.
The second half, however, was very different and Fonte do Bastardo led for almost the entire time and tied the match at 25-20, with Romero showing himself at a great level, both in service and in attack.
The third set was very balanced, the Azorean team was ahead for a large part, but without achieving comfortable advantages and Sporting was more consistent and had Wagner at a great level at the end to close at 25-22.
The fourth half was once again a great balance and the Azorean team once again gained superiority, showing themselves to be very strong in the block and attacking the central zone, and repeated the 25-20 score from the second set, taking the final to Black.
And then, it was suffering, suffering and suffering again some more. To understand the balance of the fifth set, suffice it to say that the first two-point lead only came at 12-10 and went to Sporting. The lions had the first point to close the final at 14-13, but the game still had a lot to offer… even with the players on both teams appearing to be physically exhausted.
But after the Azorean team had the chance to finish the game at 16-15 and 17-16, it was Sporting who showed nerves of steel to close the set and the game at 22-20.
The lions win the fifth Cup in their history. Benfica clearly dominates the competition, with 20 victories, followed by Sp. Espinho who has 12.
