The trophy is theirs again! Portugal’s Under-19 team captured the European Championship title. They faced off against long-time rivals Spain in the final, securing a solid 4-2 victory. The match happened in Viareggio, Italy, a city famous for its hockey history.
This win wasn’t just another trophy; it showcased Portugal’s incredible hold on the competition. Coach Vasco Vaz’s squad gave Spain no room to breathe. This marks their eighth title in the last nine tournaments. In total, Portugal now boasts an impressive 22 European Championship wins in this age group.
The final started with a jolt, though. Just 30 seconds into the game, Spain’s Marc Zanón found the back of the net. Portugal was down early. But the team quickly regrouped. Before the first half ended, Diogo Duarte, who was easily the best player on the ice, leveled the score. He finished off a swift counter-attack with a shot to the far post.
The second half was a different story entirely. Portugal took complete control. Rodrigo Preciso put the national team ahead for the first time with a clever individual play. The tension built, and with only seven minutes left, Afonso Ribeiro extended the lead to 3-1.
Just a minute later, Diogo Duarte delivered the game’s highlight. He danced through the defense with an incredible solo effort, pushing the score to 4-1. Spain managed to pull one back from a penalty rebound, with Pau Andreu converting to make it 4-2. But as the clock ticked into the final minute, Tomás Santos made sure the 4-2 score stayed put.
The final whistle blew, and the celebration exploded. The Portuguese team and their fans filled Viareggio with joy. It was a deserved victory, proving once again that this team knows how to win under pressure.