The Portuguese national kayak polo team faced a day filled with tough breaks at the European Championship in Avranches, France. Their hopes for a semi-final spot were dashed by Switzerland, who snatched a 3-2 victory in extra time during a quarter-final match this Saturday. It was a game of inches and split seconds that went against them.
Portugal had a 2-1 lead against Switzerland, with the clock winding down to a single second left in regular time. However, a last-gasp Swiss goal leveled the score, forcing the match into an extra period. The tension was palpable. In the additional time, the Swiss side found the net again, scoring with just six seconds remaining. This heartbreaking goal secured their 3-2 win and a spot in the semi-finals.
The senior men’s team then moved on to play Denmark. This match was to determine places between fifth and eighth. The story felt eerily familiar. Portugal jumped out to a strong 2-0 lead. Yet, Denmark managed to equalize in the final seconds of regular time. The game went to extra time once more, and Portugal eventually lost 3-2.
This second defeat means Portugal will now play Great Britain on Sunday. Great Britain lost their match today against Germany. The two teams will battle it out for seventh and eighth place in the tournament standings.
Meanwhile, the Under-21 men’s team concluded their European Championship campaign. They finished in 15th place overall. Today, in a playoff game for places between ninth and fifteenth, Portugal’s young squad lost 4-7 to Lithuania.
Following that loss, the U21 team had two more matches. These games were to decide the 13th to 15th positions. First, they fell 2-3 to Austria. They finished their tournament on a high note, though. The young Portuguese team secured a 6-5 victory against Poland in their final match.