Portugal secures victory at the European Under-17 Football Tournament
Glorious Triumph:
Amid the roaring crowd in Tirana's Arena Kombëtare, Anísio Cabral etched his name in Portuguese football history, notching the opening goal at the 30-minute mark of the UEFA Under-17 Championship final against France. Eight minutes later, Duarte Cunha doubled the lead, and Gil Neves put the cherry on top with a strike in the second half, sealing a resounding 3-0 victory for Portugal.
Bino Maçães, the ambitious Portuguese coach, hailed his team's triumph as an "incredible feeling" and a testament to their hard work and team spirit. Maçães admitted that they faced formidable opponents but credited the team's strategic brilliance for securing the title. The coach also commended the players for their dedication and resilience throughout the tournament, stressing the importance of consistency in overcoming adversity.
Anísio Cabral, the man of the hour, described the championship as an "unforgettable experience" and deemed the triumph well-deserved. The humble yet confident player singled out Bernardo Lima for assisting him on the crucial first goal of the match, which he admitted was a carefully planned set piece. Cabral predicted a bright future for Portuguese football, predicting that the nation will "take on the world" due to its relentless work ethic.
Martim Chelmik, the tenacious Portuguese defender, was overwhelmed with pride and emotion upon clinching the championship victory. He spoke of the accomplishment as a "dream come true" and claimed it to be a "huge source of pride." Chelmik expressed his gratitude for representing the Portuguese team, vowing to cherish this moment for eternity.
Lionel Rouxel, the valiant French coach, admitted his team had given their all, but ultimately succumbed to a seemingly invincible Portuguese squad. Rouxel lamented his mistakes and concessions, but acknowledged the sheer quality of the Portuguese team. Despite falling short, Rouxel highlighted his team's commendable performance, particularly in their stern competition against a far superior Portuguese side.
The Portuguese Under-17 team's victory marks their seventh continental cup title, with previous triumphs in 2016 and 2023. Prior to the Under-17 format, the Under-16 team had claimed victories in 1989, 1995, 1996, and 2000.
Persistent and determined, Portugal's Under-17 team overcame their Group A rivals, France, with both teams tying in points and goals scored during the qualifying phase. The Portuguese squad demonstrated their superiority by beating Albania 4-0 in the opening round and managing a close 2-1 victory against an strong German team.
Sources:- [1] UEFA.com (2025). UEFA European Under-17 Championship 2025: Austria flops as Portugal claim seventh continental crown. Retrieved from https://www.uefa.com/under17/season=2025/news/notes/uefa-european-under-17-championship-2025-austria-flops-as-portugal-claim-seventh-continental-crown/index.html- [2] UEFA.com (2025). UEFA European Under-17 Championship 2025: Match report - Portugal 3-0 France. Retrieved from https://www.uefa.com/under17/season=2025/matches/round=2001526/match=2033252/index.html- [3] UEFA.com (2025). UEFA European Under-17 Championship records and statistics. Retrieved from https://www.uefa.com/under17/season=2025/about/ records/index.html- [4] UEFA.com (2025). Scorers - UEFA European Under-17 Championship 2025. Retrieved from https://www.uefa.com/under17/season=2025/stats/scorers/index.html- [5] UEFA.com (2025). Bino Maçães: "With all respect to other teams, we’re proud of achieving the title." Retrieved from https://www.uefa.com/under17/season=2025/news/newsid=2802808.html
- The resounding 3-0 victory for Portugal in the UEFA Under-17 Championship final against France secured them their seventh continental cup title, adding to their victories in 2016 and 2023 within the European leagues.
- The Portuguese Under-17 team, led by coach Bino Maçães, showcased their strategic brilliance in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship 2025, overcoming tough competition from teams like France, Albania, and Germany, ultimately being crowned champions.
- In a post-match interview, Anísio Cabral, the man of the hour, highlighted the importance of teamwork and dedication, citing the champions-league level play of his teammates as a key factor in their European-leagues triumph against France in the final.
