Portugal, Spain, Italy and France won the first-day-games in Oliveira. The 52nd Male European Championship begun with the victories of the favorite national teams. Spain-Portugal will be the most relevant match of the second day.

Germany - France (2-3)
This was the opening match of the 2016 Rink Hockey Senior Men European Championship and it was, maybe, the most thrilling and balanced one in the first day of competitions in Oliveira de Azeméis. France won 3-2 a quick and amazing match that excited all the people crowding the Pavilhao Dr. Salvador Machado. Without any doubt, Carlo Di Benedetto was the "Men of the Match": he scored the two goals - on direct free hit and on action - that let France go to the locker rooms with a 2-0 partial score. At one minute to the end, David (FRA) got wrong on penalty shot and Roberto Di Benedetto got an injured collarbone, serioulsy risking to end here his European Championship. The second period was more balanced due to De Benedetto's absence. Lucas Karshau reduced the gap scoring the goal at 8'but France quickly countered: Carlo Di Benedetto missed the direct free hit after Nusch's banishment but "le Bleu" took advantage of the powerplay and scored the 3-1, even if it was not enough to feel sure of the match. At 1.39, Lucas Karshau doubled, scoring a penalty shot but missed the direct free hit, following the tenth French fault, at 5'' to the end.

England - Italy (1-8)
A brilliant kick off for the defending Champions against England. Ambrosio opened the man markings and after 1 minute scored surprising the English goalie. It was again him to score, doubling at 12' converting the direct free hit due to a fault on Cocco. Before the end of the first period, the young Francesco Compagno scored the 3-0 with a perfect penatly shot. In the second period, Verona doubled, on penalty shot and on action, almost closing the match. A few seconds later, Cocco scored the sixth goal for Italy. Mount's consolation goal did not avoid the goals by Malagoli and Ambrosio.

Austria - Spain (0-12)
The Spanish team debuted with a goleada against Austria. Spain dominated on the parquet and at the end of the first period the match was already closed thanks to the goals by Jordi Bargalló (2), Pau Bargalló and Ton Baliu. In the second period, the guys coached by "Quim" Paüls kept on scoring: Cristian Rodríguez, Jepi Selva, Ton Baliu, Jordi Bargalló (2), Romà Bancells (2) and Jordi Burgaya.

Before the last match of the first day, Portugal against Switzerland, the Opening Ceremony took place: after the performance of the young artistic skaters of CDC Cucujaes, Mr Fernando Claro - FIRS Vice President, CERS and FPP President - declared opened the 52nd Male European Championship.

Portugal - Switzerland (8-0)
As for Spain, also Portugal easily won the debuting match against a scrappy Switzerland. Barreiros scored on penalty shot after three attempts and the goalie's banishment for double early move. Barreiros doubled with a great far distance hit and then it was again penalty, scored by Gonçalo Alves. At the end of the first period, the score was 5-0 thanks to Diogo Rafael and José Costa. Diogo Rafael also scored the first goal back from the locker rooms. With the last two goals by Gonçalo Alves e Josè Costa, Portugal ensured the match.

Pictures by Marzia Cattini