Coimbra, Portugal, October 14, 2014.   Reigning champions Benfica LISBOA won the Super Cup of Portugal after beating the national cup holders, CASTELO DA MAIA GC, by 3:0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-21).  The match took place at the Dr. Mario Mexia sports hall in Coimbra and was held by the Portuguese Volleyball Federation with the support of Coimbra City Council and Coimbra Volleyball Association.  This was the fourth consecutive Super Cup for Benfica.

The opening set began very balanced with a slight edge of CASTELO controlling the scoreboard by the first technical time-out, but the much more experienced players of Benfica turned the score around shortly after the break, never being truly challenged again throughout the match.

However, it was the debutant Cristiano Ferreira (CASTELO DA MAIA), having arrived from Brazil, who was the top scorer of the match recording 19 points in his first game in Portugal.  The best scorers of Benfica were the middle blockers Fabricio Silva with 12 points and Marc Honore with 11.

Jose Jardim, Benfica’s head coach, was thrilled:  “CASTELO led the score until the first technical time-out, but after an initial disorientation, we performed as we should, being consistent in reception.  We know that we have more experienced players, therefore we can count on every single one of them to pursue our goals.  I am very pleased with the Super Cup victory.  It is another trophy that we add to our history and the fans that always support us are very happy as well.  They are the extra incentive and every victory is for them too.”

Ivo Casas, Benfica’s libero and former CASTELO DA MAIA player, said:  “It is always good to start the season well and this victory brings joy and incentive for the squad to take on the National Championship.  CASTELO DA MAIA is the club that I have represented for many years and where I have many friends.  Last year I helped them win the Cup of Portugal, this year I helped Benfica lift the Super Cup…  That is just the way things are in sports.”

Rui Pedro, CASTELO DA MAIA’s head coach, gave the deserved credit to Benfica:  “We have a very young and inexperienced team that was not able to perform well throughout the match, even in some easy situations.  Despite that I have to acknowledge Benfica’s merit, a team that was strong at serving and very good at blocking.  Benfica was very challenging and we could not respond.  I believe that our team has great potential.  However, it will take some time to see the results.  We will work hard in the championship and if we could maintain this youth, I believe we will have a very strong CASTELO DA MAIA in the future.”

Click here for match highlights video.