If you wish to publicise a sporting event, please contact our sports editor David Lugg: david@tomorrowalgarve.com
Golf
Algarve golfer Tomás Melo Gouveia has finished as runner-up at the Optilink Tour Championship at the Palmeras golf course near Lagos. The player from Loulé went into the final round with a 2-shot lead, but Englishman Dan Smith clawed back the deficit to prevail in the first hole of a play-off. Speaking after the event, Melo Gouveia offered his congratulations to Smith: “He played better and deserved it. I have to work better to be better in these situations.”
Main photo Dan Smith
Speedskating
Lagos will host around 600 athletes at the 20th Inline Speed Skating Tournament. The event is the second round of the World Skate Europe championship and will take place between 11–14 April on the Júlio Dantas track in the centre of the city.
Athletics
Portugal have achieved a historic milestone at the European Indoor Championships, finishing with four medals. Middle-distance runner Salomé Afonso made it a particularly special event by becoming the first Portuguese athlete to win two medals. The Algarve’s Isaac Nader took bronze in the 1500m race. President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, congratulated the performance, stating that they had made “all Portuguese people very proud”.
Cycling
Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard has won the Volta ao Algarve following a dominant time trial on the fifth and final stage. After some early-season rustiness in the mountains on day 3, Vingegaard, who was the pre-race favourite, stormed back to take overall victory by 15 seconds from Portuguese rider João Almeida. Following the event, Vingegaard said, “It was a great day for me and the team. Before the race, my daughter told me that I had to win today, so that gave me motivation.”
Football
Despite some vastly improved performances, Farense’s chances of remaining in the Portuguese Primeira league look increasingly bleak. The team from Faro have not tasted victory in 2025, with their last win coming against Famalicão in December. They currently sit in 17th position out of the 18 teams, six points from safety.
Rugby
The Portugal men’s rugby side suffered a surprise defeat to Spain in the semi-finals of the Rugby Europe Championship. Despite having home advantage and previous bragging rights, Os Lobos lost a thrilling match 42-31. In truth, Portugal did not deal with Spain’s physicality, which led to a series of Spanish penalties. Despite outscoring the visitors by four tries to three, Spain fully deserved their victory. In the final, Georgia beat Spain 46-28, whilst Romania beat an understrength Portugal 21-7 in the bronze final.
Portugal’s men’s rugby 7’s side has won Round 2 of the Challenger series. The competition, which is the 2nd tier of 7’s rugby, saw Os Lobos beat Germany 12-7 in a tight match. Captain Diogo Sarmento said, “This win is overwhelming. What we have achieved is fantastic.”
Rising Star – Bruna Ribeirinho Lourenço
In November 2022, Bruna Ribeirinho Lourenço was looking for a new sport to try after losing interest in her swimming lessons. Despite some initial resistance (Bruna wanted to leave before her first lesson started), she took up the martial art of jiu-jitsu and was immediately hooked. Within two years, she has twice become national champion and finished third in the European Championships.
What are the three biggest benefits from practising jiu-jitsu? Self-confidence, friendship and being closer to my family. When I started, I made a lot of friends because jiu-jitsu is like having a big family. It also made me closer to my Mum and Dad as they are with me when I go to the championships and they are my support.
How was the experience of competing for your country at the European Championships? I was so proud of myself. I want to win because I have family and friends who believe in me. If I don’t win, I know that I will work hard and do my best.
What would your message be to other children interested in starting jiu-jitsu? Have self-confidence and believe in yourself. A lot of people don’t have confidence, sometimes because of bullying, but jiu-jitsu is something they can do to make them feel better about themselves.
What are your goals for 2025 and beyond? By the end of the year, I want to win the European Championships in November and the National Championships in December.
