In Portugal, the outrage still continues over what happened in the last game of the group stage of the European Rink Hockey held in Paredes (Portugal) with the victory of Spain against France 3-1 that qualified the two countries for the final (in which Spain won the extra time 2-1 to win the title) and that left the Portuguese team out of it, who beat Andorra in their last match 12-1 but no longer have options to qualify
Despite the triple tie at 10 points in the group stage, Spain and France were the ones that reached the final due to the goal difference between the three teams since Spain finished with +1 (lost to Portugal by 9-10 and beat France by 3-1), France with 0 (beat Portugal by 5-3 and lost to Spain by 3-1) and Portugal was left with -1 in the balance of goals.
After what happened, the Portuguese Federation issued a statement in which it regretted what happened in what they qualify as an attack on the values of sport and competition. “After an epic and passionate match, which captivated the emotions of roller hockey fans, demonstrating the importance of this sport, we have witnessed events that contradict the values of sport and competition. Not competing is the opposite of the excellence of the teams and the teams of France and Spain did not apply the values of ethics and fair play. During the fifty minutes the referees interrupted the game twice to warn the captains for anti-play. The first warning was given eight minutes after the end of the game and the two captains were punished with a blue card two minutes from the end “
From the Portuguese Federation they point to several episodes to justify their outrage over this ‘biscotto’. “Coincidentally, the captain of the French team, who already had two blue cards before this game, was yesterday on the bench without an armband to protect him from possible suspensions and a new blue card. The tactics of the two teams were also visible. In a match that decided the qualification for the final, the two teams decided to leave out several of the usual starters and one of the teams purposely missed a penalty, something that the referee punished with a blue card. “
An outrage that was also reflected in the statements of the members of the Portuguese team, such as coach Renato Garrido: “I don’t see myself doing that sad show” He pointed out about Spain-France, while ensuring that he did not identify with the Spanish coach Guillem Cabestany.
Portugal, which was left out of the final of the European Rink Hockey, could not play the bronze match against Italy before its public after two cases of coronavirus in the Portuguese team, So it is still pending to see how a medal is decided that will leave a certain bitter taste in the Portuguese country.