Benfica Roller Hockey 2016 European League

Two seasons after winning the European League for the first time – the first had been in 2012/13 –, Benfica went back to the big European stage, and in the final four of the competition, which was hosted by the eagles in the 2015/16 season at the Pavilhão Fidelidade, the most important roller hockey competition remained at home.

History was made four years ago! After beating Barcelona in the semi-finals, on May 15, 2016, took place a 100% Portuguese final against Oliveirense, which culminated in the conquest of the 2^nd European League for the reds, after a 5-3 win with goals from Diogo Rafael (2), Carlos Nicolía (2) and Jordi Adroher.

"It was a historic weekend, and we were national champions then too. We just needed a win to be national champions, and on the day we played the semi-final against Barcelona [on May 14] we were tied and went into overtime. When we were in the overtime, we started hearing from the stands chants of 'champions, champions'. FC Porto was playing Valongo at home for the championship at the same time and drew [6-6]. That result allowed us to become national champions. It was an unbelievable moment... unbelievable also because it seems to have given us more strength and motivation to beat Barcelona ", told Valter Neves.

"We beat Barcelona after OT and then after the game we went to the hotel, but we knew we could not celebrate the Championship title because we had to play the European League final the following day, and we had to be focused. The next day we managed to beat Oliveirense at home, celebrate with our fans, the same day that the football team became the three-time national champion. It was an unforgettable moment", remembered the 36-year-old defender, who has been representing Benfica for 16 seasons.