At the Funchal Olympic Swimming Complex, Maria Almeida and Luísa Maia took bronze in the free duet, while Rodrigo Carvalho and Elisabete Fortunato earned the same in the mixed free duet. Both duets represent Fluvial Portuense.

This marks Portugal’s return to the COMEN Cup after several years, and performing on home soil added to the excitement. Almeida and Maia placed Spain’s Ana and Ivet Rubio and Turkey’s Ayca Boru and Selin Hurmerc. In the mixed event, Fortunato and Carvalho were only outscored by France’s Carla Pusta and Maceo Vanhee Didieu, who won gold, and the Dutch pair Féline Neerincx and Noah van Beest.

Coach Beatriz Gama said the medals offer valuable motivation. “There weren’t as many countries as expected this year, but there was still strong competition. These podium finishes give visibility to the sport and boost the athletes’ drive to keep improving.”

The duets completed their routines without ‘base marks’ – technical errors that can cost points. According to coach Rita Varandas, this is especially significant at this level. “Being on the podium is always rewarding and shows the effort put in,” she noted. “Rodrigo will now compete at the Junior European Championships, and this result is a big confidence boost.”