Benfica’s men’s roller hockey team claimed its 10th Supertaça title after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Sporting in a final filled with emotion and tactical shifts, Record reported. The reigning national champions overturned a first-half deficit to secure the trophy in Santo Tirso on November 7.
The match began with an even tempo as both teams sought to create danger, with goalkeepers responding to early attacks. Sporting broke the deadlock in the 13th minute through Gonzalo Romero, a goal that required video review to confirm the ball had crossed the line. Despite creating opportunities, Benfica entered the halftime break trailing 0-1.
The second half saw a transformed Benfica side. The team equalized in the 28th minute when Pau Bargalló found João Rodrigues, who finished clinically to make it 1-1. The momentum shifted decisively in the 35th minute. Following a brief period of Sporting playing with a man down due to a blue card shown to Gonzalo Romero, Zé Miranda launched a long-distance strike that found the net, giving Benfica a 2-1 lead. Gonçalo Pinto sealed the victory with a solo goal in the 48th minute, though Rafael Bessa scored a late consolation for Sporting, making the final score 3-2.
Edu Castro Attributes Victory to Second Half Tactical Changes
Benfica coach Edu Castro highlighted the importance of the team’s tactical adjustments in the second half, a detail corroborated by Record and CNN Portugal. Castro acknowledged that his side did not perform well in the first half, describing it as a period of wear against Sporting’s high pressure. However, he pointed to early scoring and a tactical change as key factors in the turnaround.
“We made some tactical changes, but I don’t want to say that was the only thing,” Castro explained to Record. “There was also the fatigue from the first half because Sporting came in very strong, physically spectacular. Maintaining that intensity for 50 minutes against a team like ours is not easy. In the second half, we managed to take advantage of that situation.”
The coach emphasized that the victory was crucial for the team’s confidence, especially coming off a loss to Óquei de Barcelos in the Elite Cup the previous week. Castro told CNN Portugal that the result could have gone either way but credited his team with a complete performance over the 50 minutes.
Edo Bosch Criticizes Refereeing Decisions After Sporting Loss
Sporting’s head coach, Edo Bosch, praised the quality of the match but expressed frustration with the officiating, as reported by Bola na Rede. Bosch congratulated Benfica but criticized the referee’s decision to show Gonzalo Romero a blue card, which he described as non-existent.
SL Benfica vence Sporting CP por 3-2 e conquista Supertaça Nacional de Hóquei em Patins. pic.twitter.com/4U1FHtr0i0
“Everything was going well until a gentleman decided to show a blue card that didn’t exist and then lost control and caused a big mess,” Bosch stated. “From that point, playing four against three in such a balanced game where details matter, that was a big detail. It allowed Benfica to go ahead and forced us to chase the result, which is not easy. This game and the quality of the players deserved other officials.”
Bosch also questioned the effectiveness of the video referee system, stating, “Honestly, I don’t know what the video assistant is for. They continue to be the artists of the film.” Despite the loss, he expressed pride in his players’ performance, saying, “I am very proud of what my players did on the court. We have to lift our heads and keep growing.”
Benfica Players Credit Collective Effort and Fan Support
Benfica’s players and coaches repeatedly credited the team’s collective effort and the passionate support from their fans for the victory. Captain Pedro Henriques emphasized the defensive unity, noting that the win was a product of a collective process. “If we won today 3-2 and conquered the Supertaça, it was thanks to a collective process, especially defensive,” he said.
João Rodrigues, who scored the equalizing goal, spoke directly about the impact of the supporters. “I have no doubt that our start in the second half was also due to the support of our fans,” Rodrigues said. “They were fundamental for our team to react and have a great second half.” He added that the victory was a response to the Elite Cup defeat and served as a motivation for the season ahead.
Gonçalo Pinto, who scored the goal that gave Benfica a commanding lead, echoed the sentiment about the fans’ role. “We already know that Benfica moves worlds. Here in the North we always have support. It is very important for us,” he stated. “Today, all we could hear was Benfica from start to finish. That gave us that extra energy that we often ask for, even at home.”
What’s Next for Both Teams
For Benfica, the Supertaça victory marks the beginning of its defense of the national championship. The team will face FC Porto on Wednesday, November 11, at 20:00 local time in the first round of the Campeonato Nacional at the Dragão Arena, as confirmed by the official Benfica website.
Sporting, meanwhile, will look to regroup quickly. The team’s next match is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, against Candelária in the first round of the league, at 20:30 in the Pavilhão João Rocha, according to Leonino.
FAQ
Q: How many Supertaça titles does Benfica now have?
A: Benfica has won the Supertaça 10 times, with the latest victory adding to its long history in the competition.
Q: What was the key turning point in the final?
A: Zé Miranda’s long-range goal in the 35th minute, which came shortly after Sporting was reduced to four players, proved to be the decisive moment that shifted the momentum to Benfica.
Q: When and where is Benfica’s next match?
A: Benfica will play its next match on November 11, against FC Porto in the first round of the national championship.
