The elite of national roller hockey is back in Odivelas. The Multipurpose Pavilion in Odivelas set the stage for excitement this Tuesday. It hosted the official launch and draw for the ninth edition of the Elite Cup roller hockey tournament.
This event kicks off the 2025/26 season for official roller hockey in Portugal. Benfica returns to Odivelas ready to defend the title they won last season. This top-tier competition brings together the eight best teams from the previous national championship. For the second year running, the Multipurpose Pavilion in Odivelas will host the tournament. Fans can mark their calendars for September 26, 27, and 28.
The draw for the opening matches was a lively affair. Players from six of the eight competing teams pulled the balls: FC Porto, Óquei de Barcelos, SL Benfica, Sporting CP, UD Oliveirense, and SC Tomar. Juventude Pacense and Sanjoanense were not present. Dignitaries at the ceremony included Hugo Martins, the Mayor of Odivelas, Luís Sénica, President of the Portuguese Roller Skating Federation, and Joaquim Sousa Ribeiro, President of the National Association of Roller Skating Clubs.
Hugo Martins made it clear that Odivelas wants to keep this event for years to come. “Last year brought very positive results across the board,” he stated. “The Elite Cup is a commitment we want to continue. Our council embraces many sports.” He added, “Hosting this event at our Multipurpose Pavilion, a national benchmark, fills us with great pride and satisfaction.”
Luís Sénica, from the federation, promised a guaranteed spectacle. He commented, “If I were a coach, I’d love to start the season with this level of quality.” He emphasized the high standard of play. “The best 99.9 percent of players from the Portuguese championship will be here. Everything is set for a fantastic competition.”
What are the teams hoping for? Here’s what some key players had to say:
Goncalo Alves, FC Porto
“We want to arrive at the Elite Cup in the best shape. We have a new coach, who isn’t so new to me. Our goal, game by game, is to do better than last year.”
Lucas Martinez, UD Oliveirense
“We’ve been training hard for five weeks. We’ll try to give our maximum effort. We aim to reach the Elite Cup final again, just like last year.”
Luís Querido, Óquei de Barcelos
“We have new ambitions and new victories ahead. A club like Óquei de Barcelos wants to win every title it competes for. The Elite Cup is no exception.”
Diogo Rafael, Benfica
“Our objectives are clear: we aim to renew this title. We are the holders of the last Elite Cup, so we are the team to beat. But we will do everything to reach the final and defend our title.”
Facundo Bridge, Sporting
“We started pre-season in early August with many changes. But the goals are always the same: to win. We will work hard to win the Elite Cup.”
Pedro Martins, SC Tomar
“Our ambition is to try and surprise the usual winners. This competition is important. It can set the tone for us to start well in the season’s other competitions. To win, we surely need to eliminate three of the best teams in the world. But we will work for it.”
WOMEN’S COMPETITION IN OCTOBER
The women’s Elite Cup will take place later, on October 4 and 5. This event brings together Benfica, Escola Livre, AD Sanjoanense, and APAC Tojal. The semifinals will see Benfica face APAC Tojal, and AD Sanjoanense battle Escola Livre. Benfica, having won the past three editions, is naturally a strong favorite. This competition has steadily grown in visibility and competitiveness.
Hear from some of the women’s stars:
Marlene Sousa, Benfica
“At a club that wins so much, for so long, we come to this competition to win. We also want to build good momentum for the rest of the season. Our clear objective is to win the Elite Cup.”
Margarida António, Escola Livre de Azeméis
“It’s our second year in a row. Our team has seen some changes. But we want to be in our best condition for the Elite Cup, and we are working towards that. Our goal is to give our best here and, if possible, win the trophy.”
Sofia Contreras, APAC Tojal
“The changes have been good. We have new teammates who are committed to what we’re doing. We enter all competitions aiming to win, and they bring that desire and dedication. We’ve been working hard and know what we need to do. We will fight for victory in the Elite Cup.”