Benfica secured their spot in the Women’s Champions League roller hockey final on Friday, defeating Spanish side Telecable Gijón 5-2 at the Pavilhão Dr. Mário Mexia in Coimbra.
After a tightly contested first half, the Spanish team took the lead with a goal from Nuria Almeida in the 29th minute. However, Benfica responded quickly, with Leonor Coelho equalizing in the 31st minute and then scoring again in the 36th to put her team ahead 2-1.
Telecable Gijón leveled the match when Nuria Almeida struck again in the 44th minute. But Benfica regained the lead in the very same minute through Marlene Sousa. With time running out, Gijón made several errors, and Benfica capitalized. Aimée Blackman scored twice—first in the 48th minute and then in the 49th—to seal a 5-2 victory.
Benfica will face another Spanish team, CP Fraga, in Sunday’s final at 12:00 local time in Coimbra. Fraga advanced after defeating compatriots Vila-Sana on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time. The Lisbon club will aim to add to their 2015 Champions League title.