 With the new coach, Luís Sénica, Portugal, who had lost the 2000 and 2002 European Championship finals to Spain, narrowly lost the 2008 final to Spain by 1–0, with a controversially disallowed goal scored by Reinaldo Ventura.Adopting the nickname of "Os Ursos" ("The Bears"), Portugal was seen as a major contender for the 2009 World Championship title, but lost in the semi-final to Argentina (3-1), once again finishing 3rd place, after an 8–3 win over Brazil.Luís Sénica was later replaced by Rui Neto, who led the National Team to the 2010 European Rink Hockey European Championship.