Portuguese capital to host the final stage of Europe's top competition

Sporting Clube de Portugal is now a permanent member of the Super European Goalball League's permanent commission, together with the sport's powerhouses RGC Hansa Rostock, Old Power and FIFH Malmo.

The inclusion in the select group will see one of the stages of Europe's premier competition hosted in Portugal next season, scheduled for the 15th to the 18th of March 2018.

The first stage will be held in Germany in November, before a visit to Finland in December and Sweden in February.

For Sporting CP's Paralympic director Márcia Ferreira, Sporting Clube de Portugal's place is more than deserved: "This is the most important European competition and we want to keep the trophy in Alvalade. Our paralympic teams have been writing their name in the club's history and this will be fantastic occasion."

Genrik Pavliukianec and Leomon Moreno secure gold and bronze in goalball

The Sporting athletes Genrik Pavliukianec and Leomon Moreno, representing Lithuania and Brazil respectively, won gold and bronze in the goalball event at the Rio 2016 Paralympics this week, building on a bronze medal already won by Luís Gonçalves in the 400m T12.

Pavliukianec, who is considered as the world's best goalball player, led his team against the USA in the final, winning 14-8 in a victory which saw the Sporting star strike on 8 occasions. Meanwhile Leomon Moreno's Brazil beat Switzerland 6-5, with the Alvalade athlete scoring four.

Pavliukianec agrees deal at Alvalade on his 40th birthday

Genrik Pavliukianec, considered as the world's best Goalball player, has signed for Sporting.

“I made an excellent decision in coming to Sporting. I will do everything I can to make sure the club has the success it deserves", said the Lithuanian, who has already confirmed his place at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Goalball is a team sport, usually played by athletes with some form of sight deficiency. Each game lasts 20 minutes, divided into two 10-minute halves. The objective is to score in a goal by throwing a ball containing bells.

Para-cyclist 7th in second stage

The Sporting para-cyclist Luís Costa finished the 2nd stage of the Para-Cycling World Championships with a 7th place finish this weekend.

The only athlete to have participated in both stages so far, Luís Costa currently tops the overall rankings.

Verola Paracycling Cup gold medal for Alvalade star

Luís Costa won the Verola Paracycling Cup, with a gold medal that moves him to the top of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World and European rankings.

With Rio 2016 just around the corner, Costa actually topped the podium in both the time trail and road events.

Alvalade athlete wins first ITTADS World Championships

João Soldado finished first in the singles event at the ITTADS Table Tennis World Championships this week, being held in the South African city of Bloemfontein.

The Alvalade athlete beat the French competitor Alexandre Sol 3-2 in the final, after coming back from 0-2 behind. Soldado stormed to the final with a semi-final win over Jean Bachevillier, after earlier getting the better of Cerci Courrilaud Carlo Cemmers and Alberto Mondino.

Sporting athlete tops 400m podium

Luís Gonçalves claimed a gold medal in the T12 400m at the IPC World Athletics Championships this weekend, being held in Doha.

The Alvalade athlete secured his place in the final with the best time in the qualifiers (50.19), before breezing ahead of the opposition with a final showing of 49.67.

Along with Luís Gonçalves, fellow Sporting athletes Gabriel Potra, Hugo Cavaco and Eduardo Sanca are also in action in the competition.

Para-cycling and Goalball at Alvalade

Sporting Clube de Portugal announced two more sports this week. Under the guidance of the Club’s Adapted Sports Department, Alvalade will now host para-cycling and goalball.

In para-cycling, Luís Costa, who has already secured a place in the Rio Paralympic games, will put on the Sporting shirt, with Marco Cardoso acting as the sport’s technical coordinator.

In goalball, sporting has already brought in four athletes: Luís Miguel (top scorer for the last three seasons) Hadiley Sacramento (player of the season) Paulo Coelho and Tomás Delfim. Duarte Correia will act as coach, with Eugénio Oliveira as technical coordinator.