For the second time in a row & the 37th European Cup for Sporting CP.

Sporting CP won this Saturday and for the second year in a row, the European Juda Champions League. The Lions beat the Russians from Yawara-Newa in the final with the result of 3-2.

Everything started with a top level win in the quarter-finals against one of the favourites: Golden Gori, from Georgia. Kherlen Ganbold won the battle against Vazha Margvelashvili with an ippon in the -66kg category. João Fernando (-73kg) lost by the minimum points against Lasha Shavdatuashvili.

After this came another big win by João Martinho over Luka Maisuradze in the -81kg category. The opponent started ahead but João Martinho managed an ippon which caught everyone's attention at the pavilion. Victory came with the next battle when Nikoloz Sherazadishvili (-90kg) beat Beka Gviniashvili with an ippon. Although the victory was already awarded, the last fight had to happen. Jorge Fonseca (+90kg) lost against Gela Zaalishvili. The green and white team won with an end result of 3-2.

In the semi-finals, Sporting CP faced Ratiborets, from Russia. The Lions won by 4-1. David Reis lost the first fight against Muloradzhab Khalifaev in the -66kg category, but João Fernando (ippon, -73kg), Frank de Wit (ippon, -81kg), Nikoloz Sherazadishvili (ippon, -90kg) and Jorge Fonseca (waza-ari, +90kg) beat their opponents Gamzat Zurgaraev, Alim Kalaev, Ekubzhon Nazirov and Dmitrii Dovgan, respectively.

Lastly, the big final had arrived. A reedition of the 2018 final against the same opponents: Yawara-Newa (Rússia). Kherlen Ganbold started the best way possible having won against Zelimkhan Ozdoev with an ippon on the golden point. João Fernando lost his battle against Denis Iartcev.

João Martinho followed with another win in a very close fight against Denis Kalinin. The Green and White athlete won with a waza-ari on the golden point and lit the crowd in the pavilion on fire.

Nikoloz Sherazadishvili was next with a fight that would seal the victory and give Sporting CP the European Champions League Title. The Pavilion erupted with massive celebrations after the win for the second year in a row. 

Jorge Fonseca still had to fight Anton Krivobokovbut he wasn't able to win. It didn't matter anymore as Sporting CP reached once again Europe's summit in Judo. The Club now counts 37 European Cups in its trophy cabinet. 

Partnership supporting Sporting CP's judo department extended to 2020

Sporting CP and the Iguarivarius group have extended their partnership in support of Alvalade's judo department. The partnership, which started four years ago as part of the Olympic cycle concluded in 2016, has now been extended through to the Tokyo 2020 Games. In addition to being a profitable relationship for Iguarivarius, Sporting CP has also benefited in terms of results: "It is one of the most relevant partnerships we have. The support of Iguarivarius has been fundamental for the success of our judo department and we are extending through another Olympic cycle. This is what we have also wanted", said Bruno de Carvalho about the new deal.

The president of the Iguarivarius group, Mário Correia, also highlighted the importance of the new agreement: "We are satisfied with this partnership. It has been the engine for some great results, so together we agree that it makes complete sense to carry on together. Hopefully the excellent results will keep coming for the next four years."

The group's executive president, Alexandre Cavalleri, also gave his backing: "It was important for us to keep up our relationship with Sporting CP. We have really been supporting the club and we will carry on doing so. This institution gave us guarantees in relation to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. It is a pleasure to see young athletes growing up in a sport packed with the ethics that Sporting CP represents."

Alvalade sports director Helena Duarte also praised the support of Iguarivarius: "It has been fundamental for the results we have been getting, both nationally and internationally."

Alvalade judoka beats Joana Diogo in podium decider

Maria Siderot claimed the bronze medal in the <48kg event at the Bucharest European Judo Open this week, after beating fellow Portuguese athlete in a dramatic final showdown.

The Alvalade judoka opened with a couple of wins against Katarzyna Wiszniewska and Katharina Menz, before missing out to Francesca Milani.

However Siderot recovered to beat Diogo in the bronze medal decided.

Doina Babcenco was also in action (<63kg), missing out in her first encounter against Nadja Bazynski.

Luís Carmo and Anri Egutidze miss out on medal spots

Luís Carmo and Anri Egutidze were kept out of the medals in the European Judo Championships this week in Poland.

In the <81kg event, Anri Egutidze was stopped in his first fight. In the <73kg, Luís Carmo won his first encounter, before missing out in his second attempt.

Jorge Fonseca will be in action in Saturday in the <100kg competition.

Alvalade judoka beats world number 3 in European Championships

Joana Ramos won the bronze medal at the European Judo Championships in Warsaw this week.

The Alvalade judoka beat the world number 3 Gili Cohen in the decisive bout, after missing out for a chance of gold against the reigning Olympic champion, Majlinda Kelmendi.

On the road to the podium Ramos also got the better of Madelene Rubinstein, Andreea Chitu (9.ª) and Alexandra-Larisa Florian.

Also in action were Sporting CP's Sergiu Oleinic and Maria Siderot, both missing out in their second fights of the day.

Jorge Fonseca will test his luck tomorrow.

Alvalade judoka tops the podium for Guinea-Bissau

Taciana Lima claimed gold in the African Judo Championships this week, contested in Madagascar. The Alvalade judoka beat Olfa Saoudi in the decisive bout, in what was a repeat of the 2016 final in Tunisia.

Alvalade Judoka repeats 5th place secured Tbilisi, this time in Antalya

Maria Siderot finished the Antalya Judo Grand Prix in an admirable 5th place this week, missing out one round short of the medal round to Noa Minsker. Siderot started strong, before being stopped by Sabina Giliazva in the battle for gold and then to Noa Minsker in the bronze play-off.

Also in competition was David Reis (<66 kg), beaten by Artur Te.

Alvalade judoka turns in best result of the season so far, with a bronze in the Georgian capital

Joana Ramos claimed the gold medal in the Tbilisi Judo Grand Prix (<52kg) this Friday, betting the Hungarian Reka Pupp in the medal bout.

Joana Ramos opened with a win against Bernadett Keliger, but was denied a shot at gold after missing out against Charline Van Snick. Despite the setback, the Alvalade judoka recovered to beat Chelsie Giles before winning her bronze medal encounter.

Also in action were Sporting CP's Maria Siderot, Taciana Lima, Sergiu Oleinic and David Reis.

Luís Carmo and Jorge Fonseca are also set to feature this weekend.

Alvalade judoka in action in the <48kg competition

Taciana Lima finished the Baku Grand Slam in an admirable 5th place this week, competing in the <48kg category.

The Brazilian athlete, who represented Guinea Bissau internationally, was seeded for the competition but was unable to reach the podium spots.

Alvalade judoka stopped in his second encounter in Dusseldorf

A week after winning bonze in the Paris Grand Slam, Jorge Fonseca was kept away from the medals this weekend in the Dusseldorf Grand Prix, missing out in the preliminary round of the <100kg competition.

Fonesca opened with a win against Philipp Galandi, before being stopped by Aaron Wolf.