Denmark and Hungary were already confirmed in the next group of the main round, the number of points at the beginning of the second phase was still to be defined. After the defeats against Poland and Norway to open the U-20 European Championship, the National Team would now define with Spain first place in group 1, with reflections later in the next group with the possibility of starting with two points more than the Iberian rivals and the Hungarians, who lost before to the Danes. A game that, since it was not decisive, could mean an important step towards the semifinals after an exhibition last Friday where defensive capacity ended up prevailing over the team’s great weapon: attack.
“We lost balls that are not normal for this team in attack and, contrary to what it has been, the key to our victory was the defense, whether it was Gabriel [Cavalcanti] I want Miguel [Oliveira] they were excellent in the center of defence, as well as Rêma [Diogo Marques]. We never lost control of the game and when you don’t play well and we win by nine unequivocally, it’s a good sign for this team”, said Carlos Martingo. “The first intermediate objective was to achieve the authorization for the main round, this has come to fruition. Now the objective is to go with points and that is to beat Spain. If we have a defensive performance like we had, we will be closer”, he stressed before the match in Gondomar.
???? Why try to explain in words our passage to the Main Round???? ….to enjoy ????
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— Portuguese Handball Federation (@AndebolPortugal) July 8, 2022
The coach’s request was not always fulfilled, contrasting later some phases of greater defensive splendor with periods of several goals conceded in quick attacks or counterattacks, but the “heart” of the team was once again decisive for a 36-35 victory He stamped five seconds from the end with a goal from Francisco Costa, with another dream performance together with his brother Martim (14+10 goals).
Portugal had a better start to the match, approaching the first five minutes of the game with a 4-1 lead, but Spain made the most of a series of offensive errors in plays without a shot to complete the comeback, achieving a 4-0 run. that put the visiting team ahead and achieving maximum advantages of two goals that were marking the first part until the end 16-15 at halftime after another accurate shot by Francisco Costa to finish off.
In the second half, a 3-0 run from the start put Portugal back in front of the scoreboard (20-18), a condition that was always maintained and with a maximum advantage of four goals 15 minutes from the end (29-25). However, and despite the offensive work of the Costa brothers on the wings, Spain took steps to re-enter the game, tying the game again in the final minutes with a goal by Moreno Rodríguez that made it 34-34 after two plays with exclusions. in both teams (13 in total) but Francisco Costa, who finished with 14 goals, gave the victory by 36-35 with five seconds to go.
Source: Observadora
