World Cup men’s rugby
Portugal’s first World Cup match for sixteen years ended in a 28-8 defeat against Wales. Despite the result, Os Lobos will be delighted with their performance against a tier-one side that was expected to win far more comfortably. Instead, both teams played some excellent flowing rugby in what was often quite a chaotic match. When the two sides last met in 1994, Wales prevailed by 102-11 in Lisbon, but Portugal has come a long way since then and, as their recent performances have shown, they are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with. In the first half, the Portuguese matched their more illustrious rivals for much of the game with just a few unforced errors highlighting the difference between the sides. The biggest cheer of the day came when flanker Nicolas Martins snuck up the blindside to score a thoroughly deserved try after a lineout in the Welsh corner. Ultimately, it was the power of the Welsh pack that won the day but it takes nothing away from the plucky Portuguese players, who deserve the plaudits for their adventurous approach to the game.
Beach Games
The Algarve cities of Portimão and Lagoa have been chosen to host the next edition of the Mediterranean Beach Games. Following the completion of the 2023 games last month in Crete, the Algarve will take up the mantle in 2027. Aside from the usual sports of beach volleyball and beach soccer, we can expect to see beach wrestling, beach tennis and even beach karate.
Tennis
The Campus Carby VW Ladies Open will become the most prestigious international women’s tennis tournament ever to take place in the Algarve. Hosted by The Campus, the multi-sports complex located in Quinta do Lago, the event will take place from 7–15 October with a prize money of $40,000. The event is a timely boost for women’s tennis in the region, as there is currently only one female Portuguese player in the top 500 in the world.
Motorsport
The FIM Superbike World Championship will once again return to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve from 29 September – 1 October. The present world champion Alvaro Bautista currently leads the overall standings with just two races remaining.
The Autódromo will also host a double-header of the European Le Mans Series on 20 October and 22 October. The two four-hour races will see the culmination of the championship in what is being labelled as the Grand Season Finale.
Tickets for the event can be purchased here: aia.bymeoblueticket.pt
Surfing
Algarve bodyboarder Joana Schenker has won round three of the National Bodyboard Circuit at Praia Grande in Sintra. She now occupies second place in the national table. After the event, Schenker admitted that she was satisfied with her performance, but her main focus is on the World Tour. “I’m very happy to win here today because I didn’t have a lot of pressure. Unfortunately, the fourth stage of the national championships coincides with the last stage of the World Tour in Morocco and I cannot be in two places at the same time.”
Men’s international football
Portugal has made history by thrashing Luxembourg 9-0 in a European Championship qualifier at the Estádio Algarve. The nine-goal margin marks the biggest victory in the nation’s history. Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes was instrumental in midfield, providing a hat trick of assists and a finely taken goal. The win sees Portugal make it six wins from six in group J, making it their best-ever start to a qualifying campaign.
Netball
Australia may still be the team to beat following this summer’s netball World Cup, but European interest, thanks in no small part to runners-up England, is increasing at a fast pace. The potential for growth here in Portugal is huge and many clubs now offer tuition for ladies interested in playing the sport. Tavira-based Margaret Coleman is a member of Leões Netball Sotavento Clube and the president of Netball Portugal. Together with Netball Europe, she is looking to put the Portuguese netball community firmly on the map. “We have both running or walking games, so ladies at any level can play. Plus, the social side is great for mental health. Our ladies go off and do lots of activities together.” Currently, there are four clubs in the Algarve – Tavira, Cabanas, Vilamoura and Lagos.
If you would like to know more or are interested in joining one of the clubs, contact Margaret on +44 7967 407713 or send an email to info@netballportugal.com
RISING STAR
Klaas Aling – Making great strides
Klaas Aling, is a prodigious young athlete from Lagos. The 13-year-old runs for his local club Desportiva Academia Atletismo Lacobrigense and is already setting records for his age group. Klaas’s introduction into athletics began at the tender age of five under the guidance of his coach, Pedro Braz Correia. Pedro ensures that not only is training rigorous, but it is backed up by proper nutrition. This has enabled Klaas to adopt both a winning mindset and a successful start to a career in athletics.
This year promises to be an exciting one for the young athlete as he steps up to face older and more experienced competitors. A new set of challenges and opportunities await, but Klaas remains confident of continuing his record-breaking journey.
The race for a successful athletics career may only just be starting, but the future looks bright as he looks to make an indelible mark on the track and be an inspiration for other budding athletes in the region.
If you wish to publicise a sporting event, please contact our sports editor David Lugg: david@tomorrowalgarve.com
