Tomaz Morais coached Portugal to the men's Rugby Sevens
title at the 4th World University Championship in Porto on Saturday
as neighbours Spain tasted success in the women's event, only
weeks after the two country's national sides had claimed the
European Sevens crowns.
Morais' side ran out 35-17 winners over their Russian
counterparts before an enthusiastic crowd of 3,500 at the Bessa
Stadium with captain Pedro Leal, a regular on the IRB Sevens World
Series, admitting afterwards "it's amazing the emotion of
playing with the crowd screaming for us".
The performance of the Spanish women was equally impressive
over the four days as they also overcame Russian opposition to be
crowned champions, the 17-10 victory in the final almost an
identical score to their Pool B decider a day earlier after both
had overcome Great Britain, Brazil and Norway.
Canada topped Pool A in the women's event to set up a
meeting with Russia, while Portugal came face to face with their
neighbours Spain in the other semi final. The final would be an all
European affair, though, after Russia edged Canada 10-0 and Spain
proved too strong for Portugal by running out 17-0 winners.
Portugal bounced back to beat Canada and claim third place in
the women's event with Italy (Plate winners), Brazil, Great
Britain, Ukraine (Bowl winners), Guam and Norway completing the
rankings from fifth to 10th after a competitive four days of Sevens
in Porto.
The men's event involved 14 teams from around the world
with Japan, Canada, Morocco, Chinese Taipei and Lebanon joining the
European teams - Portugal, Russia, Great Britain, Italy, Belgium,
Poland, Hungary and Norway - to battle for the title of World
University champions.
It was the European nations, though, who emerged from the
pool stages to contest the semi finals with Portugal proving too
strong for Spain by winning the first 35-0 before Russia edged a
tighter affair with Great Britain 22-12. Ultimately, though, it was
the home crowd left cheering as Morais' men ran out deserved
winners.
The other silverware was claimed by Japan and Morocco as
Plate and Bowl winners respectively as the mantle of hosts passes
to France for the 5th World University Championship in 2012.
