The Portuguese rugby team’s hopes of securing a podium spot in the Rugby Europe Championship 2025 were dashed on Sunday, as they fell to a 7-21 defeat against Romania in the third-place play-off at the Jamor stadium. This loss not only relegated Portugal to fourth place in the REC25 standings but also impacted their seeding for the 2027 Australia World Cup, positioning them as the fourth European team. It’s a disappointing outcome, especially considering that just a month ago, Portugal achieved their most resounding victory ever against Romania, winning 34-6.
A notable image from the match, captured by José Sena Goulão for LUSA, shows a tense moment in the Portugal-Romania rugby game, highlighting the intensity and rivalry between the two teams. In the match, Nuno Mascarenhas managed to score the only try for Portugal in the 62nd minute of the game, during the second half. However, by that point, Romania had already built a considerable lead, thanks to tries from Jacob Immelman in the 18th minute and Cristi Boboc in the 38th minute. Alin Conache successfully converted the first try and added three penalties in the 12th, 29th, and 64th minutes, cementing Romania’s victory.
Romania’s win over Portugal marks their first victory against the team in three years, dating back to 2022, before the France 2023 World Cup. This victory secured Romania’s third-place finish in the REC25. Another key moment from the game, also photographed by José Sena Goulão for LUSA, shows a Portuguese player evading Romanian defenders, a testament to the skill and determination displayed by both teams throughout the championship.
The championship concluded with Georgia claiming the top spot, defeating Spain 46-28 in Tbilisi. This victory marked Georgia’s eighth consecutive and 17th title in 23 editions of the Rugby Europe Championship. Meanwhile, Spain took the second place, a position that Portugal had occupied for the past two years. This outcome underscores the competitive landscape of European rugby and sets the stage for future tournaments, including the upcoming World Cup in Australia. The Portuguese team will undoubtedly reflect on this championship, focusing on strategies to improve their standings in future competitions.
