The Portuguese National Team has touched down in Barcelona, ready for a vital warm-up tournament. Starting Thursday, they will compete in the Golden Cat. This event is a crucial stepping stone. It prepares them for the European Championship in Paredes, set to run from September 1st to 6th.
Coach Paulo Freitas shared his thoughts, with his words passed on by the Portuguese Roller Sports Federation (FPP). He explained the Golden Cat offers something they can’t get at home. "We haven’t been able to find this kind of competition domestically," Freitas stated. "Most teams are not training yet. Here, we’ll face other national teams. Many of these squads will also be at the Euros. They are looking for the same things we are."
Freitas emphasized the team’s core belief. "We represent Portugal," he said. "We go into every competition, official or not, wanting to win. But even more important is to use what we already know works."
The coach isn’t just focused on victories. He sees the Golden Cat as a chance for growth. "We want to find good moments and good feelings," Freitas explained. "We also want to make mistakes. Then we can work on those errors. We need to improve any weaknesses we show during the Golden Cat. After this, we’ll have another week. That time will be used to fix everything. We’ll fine-tune our game. Our goal is to be fully ready by September 1st. That’s the most important day for us, the start of the European Championship."
Here’s a look at the men’s team schedule at the Golden Cat:
- **Thursday:** Against host team Catalonia.
- **Friday:** Facing Italy.
- **Saturday:** Taking on France.
The tournament final takes place on Sunday. The third-place match will also be played that day.
The women’s national team is also in action at this event. They will measure their strength against:
- **Thursday:** Catalonia.
- **Friday:** Germany.
- **Saturday:** France.
Their final match is set for the day after their last group game.
