European rugby champions honored in Lisbon

At the ceremony, the mayor of Lisbon highlighted the significance of the achievement and the example set by the team. "More than two decades later, Portugal has once again won the European rugby championship, and it did so against a power that had dominated the competition for many years," he said.

"Half of you here don't make your living from rugby. You study, work, build careers and still find time to represent Portugal at the highest level. This isn't just sport. This is a national example," said Carlos Moedas.

Regarding the impact of the achievement, the mayor pointed to the change in mentality in Portuguese sport: "They also show here a change in the mentality of winning without being afraid. Portuguese rugby has gone to another level".

This title comes after a cycle of sustained growth for the sport in Portugal, which includes qualification for the 2027 World Cup, the third national appearance in the competition. In 2023, the team had already won its first ever World Cup.

The victory represents a milestone for Portuguese rugby, as it breaks a 22-year fast and puts an end to Georgia's prolonged dominance in the competition. The Portuguese team is distinguished by the profile of its players, with around half of the athletes combining rugby with other activities, reinforcing the non-professional nature of a large part of the group.

The Rugby Europe Championship is the main European event outside the Six Nations tournament and brings together teams that are making a name for themselves on the international scene.