The European Women’s Roller Hockey Championship ended in heartbreak for Portugal. Spain claimed the title with a dominant 7-2 victory. Coach Ricardo Barreiros shared his insights after the final match. The game took place in Lordelo, Paredes, at the Rota dos Móveis pavilion.
Barreiros admitted the score looked familiar but insisted the actual game was very different. He praised his team’s strong start, which surprised even him. However, conceding two early goals shifted the momentum. He noted that the emotional pressure often weighs heavily in such big games. Portugal’s playing style was affected. The coach stressed the need to keep working hard to close the gap. He humbly acknowledged the individual skill difference between his team and Spain. Player fatigue also played a role as the game progressed. Spain’s superior physical and technical conditions became more evident in the later stages. Barreiros refused to let the final result overshadow the effort. He loved the five weeks spent working closely with the team, getting to know new people.
A Deeper Look at the Performance
Later, in comments to the official FP Patinagem website, Barreiros elaborated on the team’s showing. He reiterated that, despite the similar scoreline to an earlier match, this final was a unique battle. He expressed pride in his team’s performance, saying he couldn’t be sad about their efforts. The result, of course, brought sadness. He lauded the significant progress the team made in just a few days. The players tried their best, but luck wasn’t on their side. Spain’s fourth goal, for example, came from an unlucky deflection. Portugal’s first goal against them was also a deflected long shot.
Barreiros felt his team started strong but faded over time. It was a shame because they created doubts in moments. They challenged what seemed like an inevitable outcome. He remained very proud of his players, stating the score didn’t truly reflect the game. Still, he gave full credit to Spain for their deserved win.
Looking Ahead: Bridging the Gap
Barreiros knows there’s a talent gap between the current Portuguese and Spanish generations. He had always acknowledged their slim chances of winning the tournament. Yet, he promised his team would fight with everything they had. He believes Spain won’t win forever, and Portugal won’t lose forever. It’s a tough path, but progress is coming. This tournament was crucial for many athletes. It helped them understand their strengths and weaknesses better. The team now has a full year to work together. They aim to return next year in much better shape to compete for the title.