After SC Tomar had fattened the list of winners of the Portuguese Cup, with the conquest in 2023, the 2024 edition will have a repeat winner. FC Porto, Oliveirense, Benfica and OC Barcelos fight, precisely in Barcelos, for a title full of history.
Despite being the most democratic test of all, the truth is that only eight teams have already won the Portuguese Cup – Benfica, Malhangalene (Mozambique), Sporting, FC Porto, OC Barcelos, Oliveirense, HA Cambra and SC Tomar. In other words, 50% of the teams that have already won the competition will be in Barcelos.
The experience of other victories is always placed in the background in knockout games and this factor was not even highlighted by the coaches in the preview of the match. Final-Four.
Treble games, but someone has to win
The poster couldn’t be more appealing. FC Porto x Oliveirense and OC Barcelos x Benfica shoot two of the most exciting duels of this season took to the rink.
FC Porto, Oliveirense, Benfica and OC Barcelos compete in the 49th edition of the Portuguese Cup @FPP
Regarding the first meeting, it is important to highlight that Oliveirense has already bent the blue-and-whites at Dragão Arena, but lost at home, a crucial game to lose first place in the regular phase of the Placard Championship.
The challenge between Minho and Eagles is a true Russian roulette. Rui Neto’s team was relentless in the WSE Champions League, but just a week ago, Nuno Resende’s boys went to Hockey Cathedral win for the championship and relaunch the fight for a better position in the Play Off.
All games will be monitored up to the minute by zero zero.
Coaches’ statements
Ricardo Ares, FC Porto: “Expectations are at their highest. In this competition, since the first day, each game has been a final and now, having arrived here, we are going to enjoy it. The focus is on the semi-final, because if you don’t win… there is no final. That’s all we think about: game by game to reach the final and win. I think the details will be vital. We all know each other and have faced each other, but the past is the past and what counts is who is better in the present. Our task is to take the Cup back to the Dragon Museum.”
Coaches previewed together @FPP
Edo Bosch, Oliveirense: «The four teams hope to lift the trophy. We are in a spectacular hockey environment, in a historic pavilion, we will do our best to be happy tomorrow and on Sunday. To reach the final we have to focus on this game against FC Porto. It will be the details that decide who goes through to the final. We want to be very happy, we are very focused on this goal.”
Nuno Resende, Benfica: «This is a special pavilion that hosts a special competition. We have the home team ahead of us and it will be a difficult game, but our expectation is to reach the final. For this we need Benfica to participate. All four coaches that we are here, we work with and we are fortunate to be in clubs with good squads and great conditions, it seems natural to get to this Final Four, but it is the result of a lot of work. Playing against OC Barcelos is always special, it will be a very difficult and decisive game for both teams. We haven’t won the Cup in almost a decade, but a club of Benfica’s size has the ambition to reach the finals and be able to win them, that’s what we’re going to fight for.”
Rui Neto, OC Barcelos: «Each of us has the best expectations of winning. Let there be three great hockey games, because we will have a full pavilion and we want to provide great shows. It will be the fourth game in a month and a half against Benfica and, of course, there are no secrets. Therefore, the details can be decisive, it will be very balanced games. I don’t believe in favoritism because we play at home, all teams are used to these environments. Of course it’s good to have the public supporting us, it can help balance things out, but it won’t be a decisive factor.”
