Portugal's Women Stun Italy, Then Bow to Spain in Rink Final

Portugal’s women just treated the home crowd to the kind of roller-hockey drama that only the seleção seems capable of producing: a comeback 4-3 triumph over Italy, followed 2 nights later by a sobering 7-2 defeat to Spain that extended the Iberian rivalry and reminded everyone how thin the margin remains at Europe’s summit. For foreigners living here, the story is equal parts sporting spectacle, cultural snapshot and reality check on the state of women’s sport in Portugal.

Why expats should care beyond the scoreboard

Moving to Portugal often means discovering niche passions that locals follow with quiet zeal. Women’s roller hockey—hóquei em patins feminino—is one of those hidden gems. Matches are inexpensive, arenas intimate and supporters welcoming. Yet the talent pipeline, media visibility and investment remain fragile. Watching the national team fight back from 0-2 and 2-3 deficits inside the Pavilhão Rota dos Móveis in Paredes offered a glimpse of both the sport’s potential and its challenges. For newcomers seeking authentic weekend plans, knowing where and why these games matter can open doors into Portuguese community life.

The comeback everyone in Paredes will remember

The semi-final started badly for Portugal. Italy’s high press silenced the drum line and produced an early two-goal cushion. But veteran forward Marlene Sousa was not ready to concede the tournament on home soil. Her hat-trick—punctuated by a lightning counter with 45 seconds left in the first half—pulled the hosts level. When winger Raquel Santos rifled the game-winner midway through the second period, the parquet shook. The 4-3 scoreline sent Portugal to its 11th European final, sparking chants of “Nós acreditamos!” across the concourse.

A familiar Spanish roadblock—and a lopsided result

Saturday’s final pitted Portugal against a Spanish side chasing an eighth consecutive European crown. Anyone who has sampled the fierce North-South derby in men’s football already knows how beating Spain fuels Portuguese pride. Unfortunately, the roller-hockey script followed recent history: Spain’s relentless rotation wore down the hosts, and a 3-1 halftime edge ballooned to 7-2. It was Portugal’s fourth straight silver medal and a reminder that closing the gap will require more than heart-stopping comebacks.

Context: Portugal’s golden years and the long plateau

Back in the late 90s, Portugal lifted European titles in 1997, 1999 and 2001, a run that briefly made the country the epicentre of women’s rink hockey. Two decades on, the landscape looks different. Only 9.4 % of all registered rink-hockey athletes in Portugal are women, and several clubs—including Sporting CP’s short-lived women’s programme—have folded due to budget cuts. Even so, local derbies between Benfica, Turquel and Académico da Feira still draw passionate crowds, and the federation has floated tax-break incentives to lure sponsors.

What’s next and how to follow along

The national squad’s next major test is the World Skate Games in Zaragoza next June. If you’re based in Porto or planning a northern road trip, keep an eye on the domestic calendar; league matches at venues like Pavilhão Fidelidade rarely exceed a €5 ticket, and kids often get in free. Streaming is improving too: the federation’s YouTube channel and World Skate Europe broadcast most fixtures with English commentary.

While the latest silver medal may sting, it also keeps the conversation alive. For expats, showing up—online or in person—can help ensure that the next Marlene Sousa won’t have to score three times just to turn on the national spotlight.