Festivities || Portimonense football club celebrated its 100th birthday last Thursday with activities spread over two days.
The foundation date of August 14 a century ago was commemorated at a special service held in the Algarve city’s main church attended by Mayor Isilda Gomes who was presented with membership card No1272 by club president Fernando Rocha before festivities moved to the municipal stadium for ballet and rhythmic gymnastic displays.
Friday’s continuation featured a football knock-out competition involving many former Portimonense players, an autograph session with the current squad, and finally an open air barbecue accompanied by live music.
A special message was also received from Brazil and ex-Porto star Hulk, now plying his trade for Zenith St Petersburg, congratulating the club and wishing it “many titles over the next 100 years”.
Unfortunately there was no happy ending to the weekend as the team returned to league action in Madeira on Sunday afternoon. A first-half stalemate with Marítimo B was broken by the home side’s Marcos Barbeiro shortly after the re-start, and despite Portimonense winger Mou Kanazaki’s best efforts the score line remained 1-0 until the final whistle.
The Algarveans have only one point from two games so far and will be hoping for a first win of the season back on home soil against Oriental this Sunday afternoon in order to close the gap on leading trio União da Madeira, Oliveirense and Freamunde.
By Skip Bandele
