After days of controversy due to alleged intoxication in the leonine squad, Fonte do Bastardo and Sporting finally played the third game of the play-off semi-final, at the home of the islanders.
The Azoreans got off to a better start. In the 1st set, making use of their massive block, they went from an 8-7 to a 15-9, annulling several offensives by the Sporting players, leading their coach João Coelho to change the team, launching Gelinski in the distribution. However, the locals won the 1st half without difficulty (25-19).
In the 2nd set, the first leonine touch improved and the attack took advantage of that. Barth in the center of the net and José Masso in zone 2, showed a very good plan, while Fonte started to make mistakes, especially in the sideout. The lions won by 6 points (11-17) and despite the Azoreans having threatened a tie (21-23) they were able to outdo themselves in the decisive moments (22-25).
With a tie in the match, in the 3rd half, balance was the dominant note up to 8 points, when the leonine block annulled several consecutive attacks by the hosts. Basing their game on a service that caused a lot of dent in the opponent’s rear, Sporting shot to 10-16, winning the set and putting themselves in advantage (1-2).
In the 4th half, Nuno Abrantes’ team improved their block defense and, with Edson Gonzalez in the spotlight, tied the game to the delight of their fervent audience, which made the pavilion almost burst at the seams.
In the black lottery, Sporting started better with Pedro Cardoso accurate in the offensive actions (3-5). But Fonte proved to have a huge soul and knew how to turn events around, presenting an effective reception and attack in which, once again, his family member Edson Gonzalez was a predominant element (31 points!), especially in the final set.
At the end of the game, Nuno Abrantes was a satisfied coach. ′′ Tremendously emotional game between two great teams. We had several fluctuations in the 2nd and 3rd sets that almost cost us the victory, but in the last two we did it perfectly, at my request».
João Coelho regretted the defeat, but is already planning the next game. «A lot of balance, it could have fallen for either team. We started badly, but we reacted very well in an adverse environment. We were closer to winning. This is not over yet, on Saturday there will be more».
