SPORTS NEWS

SPORTS NEWS Brought to you by Chris Wright

Mixed marathons in May Lagos is the venue for a fun-fi lled day of physical activity on Sunday 12 May. ‘Meia Maratona Internacional’ (halfmarathon) will also feature a mini-marathon and walk. Organised by the Olímpico Clube de Lagos the 21kms half-marathon is open to athletes over the age of 20 and is described as a “competitive race”, while the 5kms mini-marathon is a more light-hearted and less physically demanding race that will be open to anyone aged 16 and over. The 5kms walk is open to everyone.

All events will begin at 9.30am in front of the Hotel Marina Club in Lagos. The routes will include some of the main landmarks of Lagos such as the marina drawbridge and the Ponta da Piedade beauty spot. For more information or to sign up, visit crono.aaalgarve.org

Portimonense faces a diffi cult time The Algarve’s only Primeira Liga team will have to up their game if they are not to be sucked into a fi ght against relegation. Three defeats, including at home to FC Porto, and a draw in four games have seen them drop down the table.

West Ham United had scouts at the Porto game as three potential targets - Yacine Brahmi, Moussa Marega and Hector Herrera - got on the score sheet as the title contenders won 3-0. Portimonense were two goals up at half-time away at Tondela but contrived to ship three goals in the second period and hence lose three vital points. A diffi cult run-in includes away games at Benfi ca (weekend 4-5 May) and SC Braga (18-19 May). Sandwiched between these two games is a vital home game against Marítimo (Madeira) on the weekend of 11-12 May.

Feast of fi ne walking football in Ferreiras! Just fi ve years after walking football was introduced to the Algarve over 300 mature players, ranging from 50 to 80+ years of age, competed in the EuroCopa Walking Football

Cup festrival at Ferreiras FC, Albufeira.

Organised by Algarve Football Tours, the event attracted teams from France, Scotland, England, Spain, South Africa and Portugal. Great strides have been taken in a short period of time mainly due to East Algarve Walking Football, Browns WF (Vilamoura) and Lagos Strollers attracting teams to the excellent astro-turf pitches and stadia in the region.

England was represented by Hartshill (Warwickshire), Cottingham (Hull), Clacton (Essex), Rushden (Northamptonshire), Brackley (Northamptonshire), Northwich (Cheshire), Fulham (London), Oxford and Sheffi eld. From Scotland came North Lanarkshire Auld Gits WF whilst Aulany (Paris) WF fl ew the fl ag for France. Esquina Park WF (southern Spain) and Luso Africa (South Africa) completed the foreign line-up.

A strong contingent from Portugal included Benfi ca (Lisbon), Silver Coast Strollers (north-west Portugal), Lagos Strollers, and Browns (Vilamoura) with East Algarve Walking Football entered fi ve teams across the two age groups. Brackley Sinners and Brackley Saints took fi rst and second place in the 60+ Tournament whilst Lagos Strollers won the 60+ Bowl Competition with EAWF Tavira fi nishing as runners-up.

The EuroCopa 50+ Final between Sheffi eld United and Luso Africa was full of fast, skilful walking football with the team from the southern hemisphere taking the lead in the fi rst period. The Blades struck back to level and take the tie to penalties with Luso Africa edging home 2-1. Clacton Knights took third place with a 2-1 victory over Esquina Park, Spain. EAWF Olhão were the best placed Algarve team in fi fth place after a 5-0 win against French side Aulany.

After two days of intensive activity and 149 games it only remained for Paulo Dias, Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Albufeira, to present the trophies and thank everyone for making the event an outstanding success.