Three matches. That's what separates Barça's hockey team from their 23rd European Cup. Two years later, the Catalans will once again compete in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The 'azulgranas' will face Sporting of Portugal, in a single match, this Thursday (8 p.m.) in the final eight that will be played in Coimbra (Portugal). The 'azulgranas' have not lifted this title since the 2017-18 season. “We arrive very motivated. We are aware that it will be complicated, but it is a good opportunity to reach the semi-finals of the European Cup again and we will fight for it,” explains goalkeeper Carles Grau (Lloret de Mar, 1990) to El ARA. The Girona-born player will seek in Portugal the only title he is missing to complete an admirable record. “I have lost three Champions League finals, but at least I have been able to play them. I don't want to obsess, but if we can win the title this week, much better,” he explains.

Maria Anglada (San Hipólito de Voltregà, 2001) arrives at the Sant Hipòlit de Voltregà pavilion, greeting friends and family. Everyone knows her. But a fence blocks the entrance to the old pavilion, one of the temples of Catalan hockey, a facility about to be demolished due to structural problems. "I feel a pang in my heart when I see it," she explains, looking at the rink where she scored her first goals. She was once captain of the local women's team. At 24, Maria is retiring to finish her medical studies. She's retiring very young, but with her work done.