Portugal is back in the top division for the first time in 23 years as they availed of the space opened up by the Netherlands’ withdrawal from the men’s EuroHockey Indoor Championship.
As the next best placed nation based on 2022’s rankings, they were offered the spot and accepted, meaning they will play in the top tier for just the second time since entering the international stage in 1997.
Their side is composed mainly of players playing in the Belgium, Dutch and German leagues with plenty having experience playing together at U-16, U-18, U-21 and senior level together like captain David Franco (pictured), Ivo Moreira, Tiago Ventosa, José Santos and the goalkeeper António Camacho.
Of the young blood, Rodrigo Castro is also another player that is gaining form the past year after joining Gladbacher THC in the German league.
They also got a big boost with the Halfmann brothers declaring for Portugal. The Uhlenhost Mülheim graduates played with German youth teams while Luis Miguel Pereira was involved with France but have now linked up with the country via their family connections.
They view the primary target as retaining “A division” status and to try and give them a shot at a World Cup place.
Preparation saw them play test matches against the Spanish team in December and last weekend they were in Germany for training and matches with some German Teams in the Dusseldorf and Cologne area.
** To find out more about the tournament and buy tickets, go to the event website here: https://ehic2024.be/
** The EuroHockey focus is on a massive February of indoor hockey with events taking place on four consecutive weekends.
For fans around the world, it means lots of top class action to enjoy on EuroHockeyTV with the following top level tournaments all broadcast live on a pay-per-view basis or with an already purchased EHTV pass.
