FOLLOWING the success of the two Teign Drifters walking football teams last year, they returned to Portugal last week to compete in this year’s premier European walking football competition, which involved over 50 teams from over 15 different countries.

Walking football is a growing sport and it was noted this year that the teams were far better organised than last year, some supported by league football teams fielding ex-professional players – the standard was high.

The over-50s who won their category last year had a tough first day with losses against Bolton, Argentinian side El Canaton, Portuguese side Quarteirense, and Northwich but victory over local side Farense and a tough draw against Walking Lions from Bilbao meant they went into day two with confidence.

Victories over Cardiff City, Silver Coast Strollers and draws against Clacton and Scarborough meant they made it to the quarter-finals where they met Portuguese side FC Ferreiras. After a tense 1-1 draw, the game went to penalties where the Drifters came out victorious thanks to some great goalkeeping.

They met SF Santos from Nottingham in the semi-final but despite a valiant effort they fell at this hurdle losing 2-0.

The over-60s who made it to their final last year met the team who beat them in that final, local side SC Farense.

Drifters reversed the result from last year winning 1-0 and a good draw against Scottish side Oriam and a crushing victory over French side Stade Ruffecois 4-0 gave the team a strong start to the competition.

However, they took their foot off of the gas and along with some ill-discipline saw them lose games against Cardiff, Northwich, Silver Coast Strollers, Scarborough, and a struggling draw against Clacton but tough draws against Quarteirense and Watford and another victory over the Frech side saw them make it to the quarter-final.

Here, they met a strong side from Malaga and held them to a 1-1 draw taking the game to penalties. Unfortunately, luck was not on their side, losing the shoot-out 3-1.

The team would like to thank the arrangers for a great tournament and support from travelling supporters who joined them on the journey.