FCBARCELONA.CAT

30.03.2007 14:31

Total concentration

FC Barcelona Sorli Discau have had their only training session ahead of the first semi final of the European Roller Hockey League’s Final Four semi final against Porto. The players will not leave their hotel until the game starts.

Quim Paüls’ side made their first contact with the court that will be hosting the Final Four of Europe’s premier roller hockey competition this weekend. Both players and coaching staff were impressed by the facilities, which are about two kilometres from the Palabassano hotel where they are staying and has the capacity for 2,500 spectators.

Just like home

The pavilion has a very similar parquet to the one the players are used to in the Palau Blaugrana, so they felt more than comfortable on the surface. Coach Quim Paüls said this first experience of the court was “a great way of making references in terms of spaces”. However, he did observe that the surface was a bit slippery.

Good humour and keen to get playing

This may be a hugely important weekend, but the FC Barcelona Sorli Discau’s trip to Bassano (Italy) has been marked by a wonderful team spirit and everybody is getting along brilliantly. And the right atmosphere is of utmost importance at a time when the players have a lot of time to kill as they wait in the hotel for the action to get going on Saturday.

The players are desperate to play and win against Porto and secure a place in the grand final. It all gets going tomorrow Saturday at 19.15.