THE PORTUGUESE rugby team bowed out of the Rugby World Cup following a fourth straight defeat on Tuesday.
The team, which had received 40,000 euros in sponsorship from Turismo de Portugal, the national tourism board, performed well despite the results and established a reputation as a good symbol of Portuguese persistence.
Financial backing was also received from the International Rugby Board (IRB), keen to promote the sport, to enable the players to train together and prepare for the competititon.
The team was the only one participating in the World Cup that was not a professional side. Despite this, their plucky performances won them the respect of other teams and spectators.
Portugal’s last game was on Tuesday (September 25), a 14-10 defeat by Romania. Portugal had led 7-0 towards the end of the first half, but Romania fought back at the Le Sate stadium, in Toulouse, to record their first ever victory at the World Cup.
The Lobos’ 2007 World Cup adventure ended in defeats against Scotland 56-10, New Zealand 108-13, Italy 31-5 and finally Romania 14-10.
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