Fernando Cruz and Thiago Carlos launched the Real Boyz flag football team in Setúbal, Portugal, stepping onto the competitive stage Saturday at the Complexo Desportivo do Bonito in Entroncamento for the Liga FLAD Flag Football 2, O Setubalense reported.
Street Training Precedes Official League Entry
The nine-player senior squad began operations roughly two months ago without a dedicated home ground, holding early training sessions on public streets. After facing multiple rejections from local sports clubs, the founders secured a partnership with “Os 13,” a local collective that recognized the potential of the project. Team manager Fernando Cruz stated that the agreement transformed a casual street gathering into an organized competitive entity. The club now holds training sessions at Monte Belo as the roster recruits new players.
Opening Weekend Results in Conference South
Competing in the 14-team Liga FLAD Flag Football 2 split into North and South conferences, the Real Boyz debuted in the seven-team Southern bracket against established opponents. The squad dropped three matches during their first tournament day: a 22-18 loss to the EAC Steamers, a 33-12 defeat against the Cascais Crusaders, and a tight 12-6 decision versus the Lisboa Bulldogs B team. Cruz noted that the final scores did not fully reflect the team’s competitive effort against opponents boasting significantly more match experience.
Expanding the Game Across Setúbal
Cruz outlined broader ambitions for the organization beyond simply completing their debut campaign in the second division. The manager emphasized that the primary goal involves securing the league title while simultaneously raising local awareness for the sport. Flag football, a non-contact variant of American football where defenders remove flags from a ball carrier’s waist instead of tackling, is experiencing rapid growth in Portugal following its confirmation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic program.
The name Real Boyz was chosen to reflect the roster’s origins, according to Cruz, representing athletes who rise from humble conditions without optimal resources. We break the limits.
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