Portugal's Beach Soccer Champions Eye Repeat as Superfinal Lands in Italy

Portugal’s beach-soccer masters are heading into the season’s decisive showdown carrying both the weight of expectation and a cushion of encouraging statistics. The reigning Euro Beach Soccer League champions will share Group A of the Superfinal in Viareggio with three very different rivals—Italy, Belarus and France—and every one of those matches could influence your late-summer viewing plans, whether you follow the sport from a Lisbon living room or decide to hop across the border for a weekend in Tuscany.

Why the Superfinal matters for expats

For many expatriates the Superfinal is more than a sporting event; it is a Superfinal–size excuse to explore Viareggio, the art-nouveau jewel of the Italian Riviera. A six-day televised showcase will put the Portuguese selection on display as they pursue a second consecutive trophy defense. Because the tournament sits at the very end of the European summer calendar, work schedules are friendlier, and the match window rarely overlaps with UEFA club fixtures. Organised by Beach Soccer Worldwide, the competition draws a highly mobile expat community that uses the games as a cultural touchstone and a networking hotspot.

Portugal’s road to Viareggio

Two qualifying stops formed the backbone of Portugal’s build-up: El Puerto de Santa María in southern Spain and Batumi on Georgia’s Black Sea coast. Across those venues the team banked 12 points out of a possible 15 while posting a +18 goal difference. Highlights included a 12-2 Geórgia rout, proof of a stellar attack that often masks an equally reliable tight defense. The men’s heroics were mirrored by the women’s team, whose women’s squad triumph in Castellammare strengthened the overall federation’s momentum and reinforced the champions’ aura surrounding the program.

The competition in Group A: what to expect

Italy, Belarus and France bring contrasting styles to Group A, making the fixture list anything but predictable. Italy enjoys the home sand advantage and has not lost a competitive match on native soil since 2023. Belarusian physicality—they thrashed Germany 6-1 in Batumi—could slow Portugal’s free-flowing game, while a French resurgence that included a 4-3 win over Portugal last summer cannot be ignored. Years of rivalry have produced memorable scorelines history, ensuring every set piece and acrobatic volley will carry extra emotional weight. Yet statistical models still tip Portugal for the Superfinal opener, pointing to their superior conversion rate in overtime periods.

Mário Narciso’s squad: old guard meets new talent

Veteran coach Mário Narciso announced a 12-man roster that blends seasoned regulars with hungry newcomers. Between the posts, Diogo Dias and Filipe Oliveira offer stability, while defender Bernardo Lopes shores up the back line. André Lourenço provides universal coverage, and winger Duarte Algarvio adds pace on the flanks. For creativity in attack, Rodrigo Pinhal joins target man Tim in a role Portuguese fans call pivô. Observers highlight the squad’s team chemistry, forged through summer camps on the Algarve and an injury-free roster that kept last year’s core intact.

How to follow the action from Portugal—or on the ground in Tuscany

Broadcast rights sit with RTP2, but a free live stream will run on Beach Soccer TV for viewers outside the country. Travellers heading to the Viareggio promenade will find daily low-cost cheap flights from Lisbon to Pisa and a two-hour Intercidades overnight train connection onward. Tickets can be purchased at the arena’s ticket office, with discounted passes for families. Pack sunscreen: the early-September weather forecast promises high twenties, ideal for a seaside match and post-game aperitivo alongside fellow Lisbon expatriates making the pilgrimage.

Expert outlook: can Portugal keep the crown?

Data-minded statisticians give the side 1-in-5 odds (approximately 6.60 odds) of lifting the trophy—second only to perennial powerhouse Brazil. Analysts praise Portugal’s defensive shape and lethal set pieces, honed by areia specialists who train year-round on Cascais dunes. A notable psychological edge stems from victories in past finals, yet cautionary tales of underdog upsets abound; Belarus stunned Portugal at last year’s World Cup. To bring more gold medals back to Lisbon, the squad must navigate three tricky group matches before knockout sands shift again.

One thing is clear: whether you tune in from Portugal’s Atlantic beaches or sip espresso in a Tuscan café, the tournament will offer an immersive primer on the country’s most successful national team you may not yet know you love.