Tennis
Portugal’s sole representative at this year’s Wimbledon Championships suffered a disappointing defeat in the first round. World number 50 Nuno Borghes lost 6-2, 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 to Japanese player Yoshihito Nishioka. The Portuguese women’s number one, Francisca Jorge, exited in the first round of qualifying.
Netball
The Vilamoura Vipers are a newly formed netball club with high ambitions. Their journey began in 2023 with a strong focus on “nurturing the talents of young athletes to play on a national level and represent Portugal at international fixtures’. Club Director Sheba Karamat founded the club after finding a dearth of sporting opportunities for girls in the area. The Vipers have gone from strength to strength and recently returned from a competition at the Algarve 7’s in Vila Real de Santo António. Prospective new players can contact Sheba on +44 7912 220769 or by visiting www.vipersnetballclub.com
Rugby
The Portuguese men’s team have won an historic match against Namibia. The two sides last played each other in 1990 where Namibia ran out 86-9 winners, but Portugal are a different beast these days and went into the match as slight favourites. On a hard, dry pitch in Windhoek, the home side came out with all guns blazing and took a 6-0 lead with two penalties, but Portugal fought back admirably with two tries to lead 17-13 at halftime. Two further tries in the second half from Os Lobos finally killed off the Namibian resistance with Portugal taking the spoils 37-22.
Kayaking
The Kayak Clube Castores do Arade is celebrating after winning three gold medals at the European Championships in Hungary. The Estômbar-based club will be delighted to have seen Kevin Santos and Iago Bebiano win the K2 200m title whilst Norberto Mourão became European Champion at the VL2 200m event.
American Football
The Lisboa Devils have won the Portuguese American football championships for the fourth time following a nail-biting 28-27 victory over city rivals Lisboa Navigators. In what is labelled the ‘Portuguese Superbowl’, the Devils fought back from 20-7 down to win their first title since 2019.
Youth rugby
The CRUAl Kids Rugby Club in Lagoa are on the lookout for a new head coach. Dave Alger has decided to step down to allow someone else to come in with new ideas and fresh legs. Dave spoke to Tomorrow following a successful three-day school initiative where over two hundred children took part in rugby training. “It (stepping down) is a decision that has been made with reluctance, but I’ll still be fully involved in the club as it grows.” Prospective new coaches can contact the club at (PT) +351 914 447 799 / (EN) +351 962 315 256 or crualg@gmail.com
Darts
Portugal has exited the World Cup of Darts in the group stages. Despite having beaten the USA in their first match, they lost four sets to three to group minnows Italy in the deciding match. Vastly experienced, world number 30 José de Sousa captained the Portuguese side but he will be bitterly disappointed at their early exit. In the final, England beat surprise package Austria 10-6 for a record-breaking fifth title and their first since 2016.
Contact David Lugg: david@tomorrowalgarve.com to publicise a sporting event or a rising star