The title of European champion won by the under-19 futsal team on Sunday evening after a 6-2 victory over Spain was the 32nd in the history of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), with 17 expected to have been won since 2012, i.e. in the Fernando Gomes era.
This achievement was highlighted on Monday by the FPF, which stressed that this accounting also includes events that were not officially recognized at the time (namely the 2001 Beach Football World Cup, as it was not organized by FIFA), but were still considered valid achievements. .
The unprecedented title won by the under-19 team marks the sixth trophy in the sport, joining the seven titles won in beach football and the four won in football. “This is the eighth year in the last nine in which we have won at least one Portuguese team title (the exception was in 2017), winning 77% in the last six years,” the FPF pointed out.
Since 2012, beach football was the sport under the jurisdiction of the FPF that contributed most to this achievement, with seven trophies (Euro 2021, Euro 2020, World Cup 2019, Euro 2019, European Games 2019, World Cup 2015, Euro 2015). Below, indoor football, with six (Euro Under 19 2023, Finalíssima 2022, Euro 2022, World Cup 2021, Euro 2018, Youth Olympic Games Women Under 19) and football with four (League Nations 2019, European Under 19 Championship 2018, Euro 2016 and European Under 19 Championship) 17 2016).
Before 2012, Portugal was twice crowned World Under-20 Champion (1989 and 1991) and European Champion under-19 (1961), Under-18 (1994 and 1999), Under-17 (2003) and Under-16 (1989, 1995, 1996 and 2000). ), in addition to the world (2001) and European (2002, 2007, 2008 and 2010) beach football titles. It should be noted that Portugal has played in 33 finals of major international competitions in the last twelve years.
The achievement of the under-19s was highlighted by the President of the Republic, who, on behalf of Portugal, thanked another achievement that “honors national sport”. “This performance, after being so close during the last edition, demonstrates the high level, including in training, of national futsal and offers the prospect of the continuation of excellent results in the sport,” Marcelo said in a message published on the official website of the football team. website of the Presidency of the Republic, adding that it is a victory that “greatly honors the national sport”.
The president of the Portuguese Football Federation, Fernando Gomes, also congratulated the performance of the team led by José Luís Mendes with a “sense of uncontrollable joy”: “Our players showed the race, desire and talent that took them to an unprecedented achievement led.” well deserved! To all of them, to coach José Luís Mendes and his technical team and to the entire staff and structure, I send my congratulations and gratitude for this title that was missing from our trophy gallery. I owe a word of thanks to the clubs and associations who work so hard for the benefit of the sport.”
The president of the Portuguese Professional Football League, Pedro Proença, stated that “Portuguese talent has no equal”. “Winning the European Under-19 Futsal Championship is fantastic. Congratulations to all the players and structure for making Portugal’s name great. Portuguese talent is second to none,” he said in a post on social media.
Source: DN
