Sarzana, European night. In Ws Cup there is Riba D'Ave

The taste of European challenges returns to 'PalaTori' where this evening theHockey Sarzana faces the Portuguese of Riba d'Ave in the second round of WS Europe Cup. An important match for the passage to the final four on March 29 and 30. After the excellent performance in the eighth finals (double victory over the Swiss team Uttigen) the Rossoneri will have to face the Portuguese team, who in the eighth finals lost the first leg against the Spanish team Caldes 5-3, but in the return match overturned the result by winning 6-1. The city is in a frenzy and a packed “PalaTori” is expected.

"Riba d'Ave is a 'great team' – says the president Maurice Corona – who play in the most competitive league in the world: speed and long shots are their best weapons. We must play with maximum confidence in ourselves and the knowledge that qualification will probably be decided in Portugal".

"It will be another important match – says mister Sergio Festa – different from the championship, because it develops in two halves of 50 minutes, the first half is at home. We have to prepare ourselves as best we can, knowing that we have to exploit the home field advantage, knowing full well that it will not be easy".

Ave's Ribbon is a city in the north of Portugal with about 8.000 inhabitants, where hockey is the most important sport. The team was founded in 1972, at the moment it is second to last in the championship with 10 points but in the last match played it drew 4-4 against Barcelos and during the season it lost narrowly against Porto and Sporting Lisbon, in addition to having beaten Tomar and Valongo. The coach is Raul Meca Lopez, the captain (and first goalkeeper) the Spanish born in 1992 Alvaro Sheda, in the squad for 4 seasons, after a career played in Spain. The start is at 21pm, referees Joseph Ribo e Raul Burgo Manotas (Spain).