Over the course of four days (4-7 July), 57 teams participated in the Portuguese young-age category National Championships held in Portimão, with more than 1,500 players competing for the title.
 
On the final day it were ARC Alpendorada in the women’s category and Póvoa AC / Bodegão in the men’s competition who raised the trophy and were crowned national champions. 

All eyes were on Portimão Arena in these days, since it was the stage for the 3/4 play-offs as well as the finals in both the women’s and men’s competitions.

In the match for third place in the women’s category, CD Bartolomeu Perestrelo claimed bronze by defeating ACD Monte 15:12. In the women's final, ARC Alpendorada beat CA Leça and won the Championship with a 20:16 victory.
 
In the men’s competition, Carvalhos College secured third place after a 21:19 victory against NA Samora Correia. In the final match of the young-age category National Championship of 2019, Póvoa AC / Bodegão claimed first place with a narrow one-goal victory (15:14) over ADC Benavente in an even final.

Shortly after the finals, the 57 teams gathered in Portimão Arena, which was also the stage of the closing ceremony. After the initial speeches by Pedro Sequeira, Vice President of the Portuguese Handball Federation and Teresa Mendes, Councilor of the City Council of Portimão, the souvenirs and trophies were handed out.

The first winners of the afternoon were the winners of the ‘Lightning Shot’ contest, held on Friday night in the Sports Area of Praia da Rocha. Luísa Freitas and Lara Calçada from CA Leça and Soraia Ruela from the Cultural Sports Association of Monte were the winners in the women’s category and Gustavo Bairos from CD Marienses, Pedro Silvo from AD Sanjoanense and Denin Podolsky from CD Feirense were the three winners in the men’s category.

After presenting the referees and volunteers with the medals, medals and a commemorative plaque were handed out to each of the participating clubs before the top three women's teams – ARC Alpendorada, CA Leça and CD Bartolomeu Perestrelo – and the top three male – Póvoa AC / Bodegão, ADC Benavente and Col. Carvalhos – were called to the centre to receive the medals and trophies.

Fair-Play prizes were also awarded to the Praia Água Escolar Boa Água Team (women) and Portimonense Sport Clube (men).
Photo: Portuguese Handball Federation