ASP Grigny was the big winner of this year's edition of the Américo Freitas International Emigrant Tournament in veteran football. The French team defeated Rio Largo CE and U. Lamas and won the main trophy of the competition, which was held at the Sports Complex of Paramos and aims to pay tribute, posthumously, to Américo Freitas, considered the ambassador of Espinho in the Portuguese community abroad. Rio Largo CE finished in second place and U. Lamas in third.
In the first game, Rio Largo CE defeated the emigrants 2-1, also winning the penalty shootout 2-1. In the second match, ASP Grigny defeated U. Lamas 1-0 and in the final game of the competition, the Espinho team defeated the Lamas team 2-1.
After the matches, a fellowship dinner was held at the headquarters of Rio Largo CE with the trophy presentation. The president of the hosting club's board, Rui Freitas, thanked everyone for their participation and the sponsors, namely the Municipality of Espinho, the Parish Council of Espinho and the AIPAL bakery in the person of Nunes da Silva, promising that the tournament will return next year during the month of August.
The president of the general assembly, Manuel Freitas, said he was proud to see everyone gathered in a tribute to his brother, who, according to him, often sacrificed family life to serve the local communities and the Portuguese community abroad. In turn, the sports councilor of Espinho Municipal Council, André Guimarães, recalled his past as an athlete and official of the athletics section of Rio Largo CE and also referenced the festivities in honor of St. John held in June, which marked the return of these traditional events to that area of the city.
