Rugby Europe Trophy 2021/2022

Historic: The female national team played their first official match

Written by: Francisco Goes

History was made on the 4th December 2021: for the first time, the female national rugby team played an official match. The occasion? Rugby Europe’s Women’s Trophy 2021/22. Their opponent? Belgium.

Following a very passionate anthem, the Portuguese national team started the game a little nervous but willing to show the quality of its rugby and how much this moment meant for them. In this initial period, both teams made a few handling mistakes and it was impossible to say who was on top. The Portuguese flair and speed was being countered by the physically of the Belgian squad.

It was Belgium that put the first points on the scoreboard through a penalty on the 14th minute. This prompted Portugal forward and after a lot of hard work and grit, Vera Simões, through an amazing grubber put the ball in Antónia Braga that crossed the try line for the historic first try in female Portuguese rugby. The try wasn’t converted but Portugal went back to the changing rooms leading 5-3.

The second half started with the same news that ended the first one and Portugal scored their second try through Adelina Costa. Another missed conversion but the scoreboard showed 10-3 to Portugal with 45 minutes played

Close to the final whistle, Belgium scored a try too in a period where the Portuguese team was showing signs of fatigue. However, despite the pressure made by the visiting team, Portugal managed to hold the score at 10-8 until the very end and ensured that their first match was also their first victory.

After the final whistle, the players and fans erupted in cheers and let their emotions run free, celebrating what had been a long-awaited dream. This match showed that there is a lot of potential and quality in female Portuguese rugby and that the players, staff and fans deserve more opportunities like this.

Line-up and scorers:

1 Elsa Santos (18 Neuza Reis), 2 Beatriz Rodrigues, 3 Marta Magalhães (16 Sara Fernandes), 4 Joana Borlido, 5 Márcia Santos (19 Laura Pereira), 6 Sara Moreira, 7 Adelina Costa (5), 8 Arlete Gonçalves (20 Francisca Mendes), 9 Maria Vasquez (21 Ana Santos), 10 Vera Simões (Capitã), 11 Antónia Martins (5), 12 Maria Costa, 13 Mariana Marques, 14 Mariana Santos e 15 Cátia João

Replacements: 17 Eduarda Pires, 22 Beatriz Teixeira e 23 Cátia Almeida

Coach: João Moura

Team Director: Daniela Cagido.