FC Porto win Portuguese Women's Volleyball Cup 🏆 Congratulations! | OneFootball

FC Porto started the Portuguese Cup final in a dominant manner, aware that SC Braga – who arrived in Albufeira with the same ambition for the trophy – would not be an easy opponent. Nevertheless, the Porto players completely controlled the first set, always maintaining the lead (5-1). With Kelsey Veltman standing out, Miguel Coelho's team held off the Warriors' advances, who only got closer towards the end (18-15). Despite reducing the score to 22-20, the FC Porto players remained strong in blocking and serving, closing the set at 25-21 without contest.

The Minho team did not give in and responded firmly in the second set. A better attitude in serving and defense, with Beatriz Santos leading, allowed SC Braga to dominate early on (3-7), forcing the FC Porto coach to call a timeout. Despite a reaction up to 6-7, Porto's serving continued to falter, and the Braga team pulled away to 8-13, maintaining a comfortable lead. João Santos managed the game strategically (18-21), and SC Braga leveled the match by winning the set 25-22 on the third set point.

In the third set, the balance remained until 4-4, but the Minho team took the lead (4-5) and capitalized on a period of Porto's errors, with a 6-1 run that left the score at 5-11. FC Porto responded and narrowed the gap to 9-12, with Saska Durovic contributing, but SC Braga maintained the lead (10-15). A timeout request by Miguel Coelho (14-17) helped the blue and whites equalize (18-18) and reignite the set, until Murek turned it around and put FC Porto ahead (19-18). From there, the match experienced moments of great excitement: Ana Rui Monteiro served for 23-22, Castillo equalized (23-23), and after FC Porto made it 24-23, Saska served and Shainah didn't fail, closing the set at 25-23.

With a 2-1 lead on the scoreboard in favor of FC Porto – reflecting their leadership in the first phase – the fourth set was decisive for SC Braga to keep the dream of their first Portuguese Cup alive. FC Porto started stronger (6-3). João Santos' players responded (6-6), but some mistakes returned the advantage to Porto (13-10), leading the Braga coach to call a timeout. Without immediate effect (15-10), SC Braga still closed in to 17-16, forcing Miguel Coelho to resort to a timeout. After tying at 17, a powerful serve from Shainah and two points from Murek (20-17) paved the way for FC Porto's victory, which they celebrated by closing the fourth set at 25-20.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.