If you wish to publicise a sporting event, please contact our sports editor David Lugg: david.lugg@tomorrowalgarve.com
Cycling
The 51st edition of the Volta ao Algarve (Tour of the Algarve) will take place between 19–23 February. Once again, many of the world’s best teams and riders will be taking part in what is considered one of the finest events outside of the Grand Tours. The 2024 race saw Belgian rider Remco Evenpoel take overall victory. Evenpoel went on to take gold in the time trial at the Paris Olympic Games.
Motorsport
The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve has officially opened its ‘Renewable Energy Community’. The racetrack near Portimão now has 2,000 photovoltaic panels to allow conversion from thermal energy into electricity. In a statement from director Jaime Costa, “This capacity allows us to supply not only the circuit but also the hotel, the apartments, the go-kart track and the ‘Celerator’, the technology hub that will soon be inaugurated.” In an attempt to become carbon neutral, the racetrack has initiated a number of ecological activities, including planting 38,000 trees.
Rugby
International Rugby
The Portugal Under-20 team have won the 2024 men’s Rugby Europe Championship. The competition, which is a tournament for the best sides in tier-two rugby, saw Portugal remain undefeated throughout the campaign. After a convincing 30-12 victory over Belgium in the semi-finals, Portugal faced 2023 winners Netherlands, but blew them away 46-14 with some wonderful attacking rugby. Victory also guarantees them access to the World Rugby Under 20 trophy to be held later this year.
Local Rugby
It has been a difficult start to the season for Loulé rugby club. The Algarve’s top side began their National Division One campaign with a chastening 54-7 defeat at CR Évora. The following match saw them up against another tough opponent in GD Direito and they were on the receiving end of a 31-12 loss. Loulé’s next home game is against Setúbal on 18 January. Entrance to the ground is free, though there is a small charge for a seat.
Handball
Portugal have been knocked out of the women’s European Handball Championships. Starting as heavy underdogs, Portugal lost two very tight group matches against Spain and Poland before a comprehensive 28-16 defeat against France who are considered one of the tournament favourites. Considering that this is just the second time that the women’s national side has qualified for the championships, they can hold their heads high and be proud of their battling performances. Nineteen-year-old Matilde Rosa from Lagos was part of the 17-women squad and described playing at the tournament as a “dream”.
Football
International Football
A goal in each half from Diana Silva ensured that Portugal won their play-off against the Czech Republic and duly qualified for the women’s 2025 European Championships in Switzerland. After drawing the home leg 1-1, both teams knew that the return match would be a nervy affair. However, Silva, who plays for Sporting Lisbon, scored with a left-footed strike in the 76th minute winner to send the Portuguese through by an aggregate of three goals to two.
Algarve Football
After a disastrous start to the season, Farense have finally climbed off the bottom of the Portuguese Primeira Liga table with a 1-1 draw at Boavista. Only a 95th minute equaliser prevented the Algarve side from taking the three points, but the draw means that they have not lost a match since a 2-1 defeat to Benfica on 2 November. In the Liga Pro 2, Portimonense have also seen a recent upturn of form following a bad start to the season. A 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Paços Ferreira saw the side from Portimão rise up to sixteenth in the league.
Algarve players Marta Gago, Lara Martins and Lara Lobo have all been called up to the women’s national under-19 side as they look to qualify for the European Championships. Portugal have only qualified once (in 2012), when they reached the semi-finals.