What an opener! Portugal wasted no time making a statement in the U19 Roller Hockey European Championship, absolutely dominating France with an 11-0 victory. This powerful start kicked off their campaign on Monday in Viareggio, Italy, where the tournament will continue until Sunday.
The impressive win took place in Group A, a tough bracket featuring the four strongest national teams. The other big match scheduled for Monday in this group was between host nation Italy and Spain, promising more high-stakes action.
Meanwhile, over in Group B, which features just three teams, Switzerland notched a 6-3 win against England. Germany, the third team in that group, had the benefit of a rest day from competition.
Winning Group A carries significant weight. The top team advances directly to the semi-finals, earning a valuable day of rest in the demanding tournament schedule. The other teams from Group A will then face off against teams from Group B in the quarter-finals.
Inside Viareggio’s PalaBarsacchi arena, the Portuguese squad showed why they are chasing their third consecutive title. They were simply unstoppable, piling on goals throughout the game. The score stood at a commanding 4-0 by halftime, and they never looked back.
Rodrigo Preciso put on an absolute masterclass for Portugal. He found the back of the net four times and also set up three other goals for his teammates. Captain Tomás Santos was also a huge force, chipping in with three goals of his own.
Afonso Ribeiro added two goals to the tally. Guilherme Caetano and Santiago Honório each contributed one goal, showcasing the team’s widespread offensive talent.
Portugal will be back on the rink on Tuesday for their next challenge. They are scheduled to face Spain at 5:45 PM, a match that promises to be a true test in the group stage.