If you wish to publicise a sporting event, please contact our sports editor David Lugg: david@tomorrowalgarve.com
Kayaking
The Kayak Club Castores do Arade have completed a successful weekend at the National Long Distance Championships in Mirandela. The club from Estômbar finished in 10th place overall with fine performances from Lara Carapinha (7th), Clélia Santos (7th) and Ianis Bebiano (8th) in their respective races.
Rallying
Kris Meeke and co-driver Stuart Louden have won the Rallye Casinos do Algarve. Driving a Toyota Yaris, the British pair led from start to finish in the three-day race, taking overall victory by 13 seconds. Gonçalo Henriques was the top Portuguese driver, finishing in third place. Legendary Algarve driver Ricardo Teodosio finished in fifth.
Gymnastics
The Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup returns to the Portimão Arena from 9–11 May. In what promises to be another thrilling event, many of the world’s best gymnasts will be on show. Olympic Champion Darja Varfolomeev stole the show last year with some wonderful all-round performances.
Motorcycling
Toprak Razgatlioğlu completed a dominant weekend in round 2 of the World Superbike Championships in Portimão. The world champion won all three races at the Algarve circuit to climb up to second in the overall standings. The highlight of the weekend was the thrilling battle with Italian rider Nicolò Bulega in race 1, where the lead changed hands multiple times before Razgatlioğlu prevailed by just 0.067 seconds on the line.
Motorcycle enduro rider Artur Paulo has received sponsorship from Vila do Bispo council for the forthcoming national championships. The Algarvian long-distance motorcyclist finished the 2024 season in fifth place and will be looking to finish in the top three as he embarks on his second season.
Football
Algarve football
Despite some improved performances, Farense’s winless run has continued throughout March and April. The Lions of Faro have picked up some useful draws, but have not tasted victory since December. With six games left, they remain eight points from safety and now look destined to join Portimonense in the second tier of Portuguese football.
International football
After an encouraging start to their Nations League campaign, the Portugal women’s team have come back to earth with a bang following two heavy defeats against Spain. A draw against England and victory over Belgium propelled them to second in their group, but subsequent 4-2 and 7-1 losses against the world champions have left them with an uphill battle to qualify for the next round of the competition.
In the men’s Nations League quarterfinal, Portugal lost their first leg 1-0 against Denmark before a resounding 5-2 victory saw them advance to the semi-finals, where they will play Germany. Talisman Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty to extend his world record goals tally to 136. He has now scored an extraordinary 931 senior goals for club and country.
Netball
The Leoas Netball Club of Tavira have made an invaluable contribution to the local bombeiros (fire brigade). After 12 months of fundraising through quizzes and raffles, they raised sufficient funds to donate two exercise machines to help maintain the fitness of the crews. If you are interested in playing netball in the Algarve, you can find your local club here: www.netballportugal.com/about-netball/club-locations
Rugby
Portugal has finished their Rugby Europe Women’s Championship with a vital victory against Sweden. They needed to win to stay in the second tier of European rugby and didn’t disappoint. They stormed into a 17-0 lead with three unanswered tries. Sweden finally got on the board with a penalty before three second-half scores earned them a thoroughly dominant 38-3 away win. The result sees Portugal women remain in the Women’s Championship for a further season.
