Matsos delights as Sheffield take historic step in Europe

SHEFFIELD Steelers coach David Matsos was full of praise for his side as they became the first Elite League team to reach the Continental Cup Euro Hockey Finals.

WINNING FEELING: Steelers coach Dave Matsos was full of praise for his team following their winning weekend in Italy

Jeff Hubbauer netted a decisive penalty shoot-out strike and Andrew Verner pulled off a wonder save to beat favourites and host club, Bolzano, in Italy.

It is only the second time a British club has gone this far in Europe and Matsos - whose team will now face French side Grenoble, Austrians Salzburg and Minsk, of Belarus, early next year - could not contain his delight.

"This is an incredible result for the club.  The supporters were as fantastic, as were the players. They cheered us on every shift of all three games," he said.

"The guys could hardly skate come overtime.  They had given everything and they had nothing left. We played like I have always known we can play.  This weekend we have played to our potential."

In addition to beating Bolzano, Steelers also got the better of Dutch side The Hague and Slovenia's HDK Maribor in an action-packed weekend.

And Matsos reserved special praise for Joe Talbot, who he revealed got off his hospital sick bed to play a part.

"Joey had been suffering with a virus and after picking up four points on Friday in our win over The Hague he was very ill," he told eliteleague.co.uk.

"He didn't sleep and his muscles were just seizing up.  He was finding it hard to take on liquids.

"He spent all Saturday in hospital having blood tests and on a drip.  He looked as white as a sheet and to be honest we were all worried for him.

"Then he turns up at the rink and wants to play because we were already short on numbers. We only played him for a few shifts and he ends up getting an assist on the game winner.

"Last night he was ill as well.  This morning he looked like death warmed up yet he still wants to play and scores two goals in the biggest game this club has played in ten years.

"Joey is a true leader, a real inspiration.  He showed real Steelers grit and true toughness."