Sports round up

Rallying

Moto GP superstar Miguel Oliveira has swapped two wheels for four to compete at the Rallye Casinos do Algarve. Oliveira, who was making his rallying debut, finished in an impressive third place, one minute and 54 seconds behind Algarvian driver Ricardo Teodósio. After the event, Oliveira said, “It was a fantastic and unforgettable weekend that allowed me to fulfil my dream of participating in a rally. Above all, I had a lot of fun.” 

Guia-based Teodósio had words of encouragement for rallying convert Oliveira, telling him, “It was a privilege helping you on your first rally experience and I hope it won’t be your last. Now you are also part of our family.”

More information about the Algarve’s premier rally event can be found at: www.rallyecasinosdoalgarve.com

Algarve football

The World Cup has brought an enforced mid-season break to the top football teams in the Algarve. Portimonense find themselves in seventh position following a strong start to their Primeira Liga season. It could have been much better for the Portimão-based side, but one win in five has seen them drop down the table after thirteen of the thirty-four games. Their influential Brazilian midfielder Ewerton Pereira is set to leave for Japanese side Vegalta Sendai. The twenty-nine-year-old arrived at Portimonense in the 2014–15 season and has gone on to play 219 games for the club.

In the Liga Pro, Farense currently sit in second place in the table. The Faro-based club have made a great start to their campaign as they look to bounce back up to the Primeira Liga. After 13 games, they have accumulated twenty-eight points and are unbeaten in the past four league games.

The Algarve’s top ladies’ team, Guia FCF, have had a tough start to their season in Division 2 South. They have picked up just one win from their opening seven games, sitting in ninth out of the respective ten teams. They have fared better in the Portugal Cup and will face a home time against SC Braga in the last sixteen. The draw is a repeat of last season’s cup quarter-final.

Handball

Lagoa athlete Tiago Cantigas is a part of the Portuguese national team that has won the World and European Wheelchair Handball Championships. The GNR police officer helped his side win their group before going on to beat India in the semi-finals and The Netherlands in the final. Lagoa mayor, Luís Encarnação, said, “I want to congratulate Tiago Cantigas on his path in the national team. It makes Lagoa proud to see him winning these trophies.”

International Football

The Portugal Under-21 team have played two friendly matches at the Estádio Municipal in Portimão in preparation for the Georgia/Romania 2023 European Championships. The Esperanças ran out comfortable 5-1 winners against the Czech Republic but conceded a last-minute goal in a surprise 2-1 defeat against Japan. Algarve football president Reinaldo Teixeira (interviewed in Tomorrow magazine in November) highlighted his pride at the Algarve hosting the events. “All our young athletes deserve these opportunities to watch the best national athletes of this generation in action.”

International men’s rugby

Portugal has qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup finals in the most dramatic of circumstances. Needing to avoid defeat against the USA, Samuel Marques slotted over a penalty with the last kick of the game to earn The Wolves a 16-16 draw and a place in the finals for only the second time in their history. After two high-scoring wins in the group stage against Kenya and Hong Kong, Portugal went into their final match knowing that qualification was in their hands. With the USA leading 16-13 in injury time, it looked like being another case of ‘if only’, but Marques’ last-gasp kick sent the team and Portuguese supporters into raptures. They will take their place in Group C against Wales, Australia, Fiji and Georgia.

If you wish to publicise a sporting event, please contact our sports editor David Lugg: david@tomorrowalgarve.com

Main image: © Pedro Monserrate Lopes/CAAL

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