Portugal’s young table tennis stars showed their talent on the European stage this week. They secured two team medals at the European Youth Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic. The men’s Under-19 team fought hard to earn a silver medal. The women’s Under-19 squad also brought home a bronze. These results highlight a promising future for the sport in Portugal.
The men’s Under-19 team, led by rising star Tiago Abiodun, had an exciting journey to the final. Their toughest match came against the host nation, Czechia. Portugal won that intense game 3-2. The final point was decided only in the very last match. After that thrilling win, the team faced Hungary. They defeated Hungary to book their spot in the gold medal match against Romania.
Their semifinal clash against Hungary showed true grit. Clement Campino set the tone, winning his match 3-1 against Balazs Lei. His strong start gave the team confidence. Tiago Abiodun followed with a clear 3-0 victory over David Szantosi. This put Portugal in a commanding position. The win then fell to Rafael Kong. He stepped up and beat Balazs Poor in a tight five-set decider. The scores were 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 6-11, and 11-8. Coach Diogo Silva leads this talented group, which also includes young Tiago Olhero.
The women’s Under-19 team also put on a strong display. They reached the semifinals before their run ended. The team, featuring Matilde Pinto, Júlia Leal, and Mariana Santa Comba, first beat Hungary 3-1 in the quarterfinals. This win showed their ability to compete at this high level. However, they faced a very strong French team in the semifinals. France, a favorite in the tournament, proved too powerful, winning the match 3-0.
Even though they lost, the individual matches were close. Matilde Pinto pushed Nina Guo Zheng to a decisive fifth set, losing 7-11, 11-8, 11-3, 5-11, and 11-9. Leana Hochart defeated Júlia Leal in four sets. The scores were 9-11, 15-13, 11-7, and 11-6. Jade Quynh-Tien Huynh then sealed France’s win over Mariana Santa Comba with scores of 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, and 11-9. The Under-15 women’s team also competed well, reaching the quarterfinals, where they also lost 3-0 to France.
Beyond the medals, Portugal secured an important achievement. Both the men’s and women’s Under-19 teams will remain in the European first division. This division is home to the continent’s top 16 national teams. This means Portugal’s youth programs are firmly established among Europe’s elite. Their strong performances in Ostrava underscore their rising presence in European table tennis.