The nation’s lawmakers recently took time to honor the country’s top athletes. In a show of unified support, the Assembly of the Republic passed two motions this Friday. These votes celebrated the national roller hockey team, who just became European champions, and also praised the canoeists for their strong performances at the World Championships.
The roller hockey team truly earned their applause. On September 6th, they lifted the European Championship trophy for the 22nd time. This huge victory came after beating France 4-1 in the final, held in Paredes. It was a sweet return to glory, as the team hadn’t won the title since 2016. The parliamentary vote, introduced by the Assembly’s president, directly congratulated the squad for this “brilliant result.” It also sent a special message to the players’ families, their clubs, and all the communities that support them. The vote recognized the Portuguese Roller Sports Federation for its vital work in promoting the sport. This win, the text noted, firmly cemented the country’s status as the most decorated European nation in roller hockey.
Their journey to the 56th European Championship title was anything but easy. The team actually started with losses in all three of their group stage games. Luckily, these initial setbacks didn’t knock them out. They then roared back, crushing Andorra 11-2 to reach the semi-finals. There, they faced a formidable opponent in three-time champion Spain. In a truly dramatic match, they drew 2-2 after regular time and extra time, eventually winning 3-2 in a tense penalty shootout. Lawmakers specifically highlighted this “dramatic victory on penalties against Spain” as a moment that solidified “the tradition of excellence of Portuguese hockey at home.”
Beyond the roller hockey rink, the parliament also approved a motion from José Pedro Aguiar-Branco. This vote lauded the Portuguese athletes for their achievements at the Canoeing World Championships in Milan. Those championships took place from August 22nd to 24th.
The nation’s fourteen-athlete canoeing delegation brought home some impressive results. A major highlight was the world title won in the K4 500m event. Gustavo Gonçalves, João Ribeiro, Messias Baptista, and Pedro Casinha were the champions. Two of these athletes, João Ribeiro and Messias Baptista, also earned a silver medal in the K2 500m. Adding to the medal count, Fernando Pimenta secured a bronze in the K1 1000m. Lawmakers believed that the strong Portuguese presence across various finals confirmed the country’s excellence in the sport. They also felt it showcased the “spirit of persistence, effort, and teamwork” within the delegation. This vote extended congratulations to all the Portuguese athletes who competed, along with their families, sports clubs, and technical teams. It also saluted the Portuguese Canoeing Federation for their excellent results. These achievements, the Assembly concluded, confirmed the importance and bright future of canoeing in the nation.