José Manuel Bolieiro congratulates Santa Clara and Candelária on promotion to top football and hockey leagues - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, congratulated Santa Clara on their promotion to the Portuguese Premier Football League and Candelária for the same achievement in hockey.

"It is a great weekend for Azorean sport. It gives us great satisfaction to see the Azores back in the country's top football and hockey leagues," he said.

Santa Clara secured their return to Portugal's Premier League today after a goalless draw of AVS against Leixões in the 33rd round of League 2 - the Azorean team would later win in Mafra in the afternoon.

It has yet to be decided whether they will finish first or second in League 2, with one match to go.

Meanwhile, Candelária have secured their place in the top league with three games remaining in League 2 - South Zone hockey championship.

This club from Pico was promoted following a draw with second-placed Paço d'Arcos.

They had been in the Hockey League 2 for seven years.

This weekend's success follows a recent achievement by Lusitânia, which also secured that the Azores will have another team in the national top league, this time in futsal.