Handball Euro 2024: Portugal still chasing semis after 32-30 loss to Germany

Portugal’s handball faithful barely had time to celebrate an eye-catching group stage before reality bit in the Main Round opener: a narrow 32-30 loss to Germany in Herning means the "Heróis do Mar" will now have to squeeze every last drop of quality from their squad if they are to keep an historic semi-final dream alive.

Fast Facts You Need To Know

• Result: Germany 32-30 Portugal (Main Round, Group I)

• Venue: Jyske Bank Boxen, Herning – the Danish arena where Portugal stunned the hosts four days earlier

• Table situation: Portugal stays on 2 pts, Germany climbs to 4 pts

• Next assignment: France, the most decorated nation in men’s handball, looms 2 days after the German setback

A Match That Slipped Through Portuguese Fingers

The scoreboard will show a mere two-goal gap, yet those inside the Boxen felt Germany always had an extra gear whenever Andreas Wolff clicked into shot-stopping mode. The towering goalkeeper, crowned player of the match, finished with 16 saves – nine of them in the closing quarter when Portugal’s back-court trio looked ready to steal the contest.Even so, the Iberians led three times after the break and were level at 28-28 inside the last minute. A speculative lob from German left-winger Rhein Sprenger ricocheted off the bar, bounced millimetres over the line and was upheld after video review. Portugal, forced into desperation passing, conceded a breakaway goal on the final buzzer.Coach Paulo Pereira offered a rueful smile: “We matched them in pace and heart, but Wolff’s night was extraordinary. We move on – nothing’s broken.”

Why This Defeat Still Leaves the Door Open

From a Portuguese standpoint the arithmetic is clear:• Beat France and at least one of Eslovénia or Países Baixos and a semi-final berth remains possible.• Goal difference resets are not required because the squad carried 2 bonus points from the preliminary round – courtesy of the shock against Denmark – keeping them within striking distance of the top two.• Germany must still tackle both Denmark and France, meaning the Germans are far from safe.In short, the tournament’s Scandinavian co-hosts designed a Main Round that can flip in a single afternoon; Portugal’s dressing room knows it.

The Brothers Costa Continue To Shine

For neutral observers the highlight was another shooting clinic from Francisco Costa. The 22-year-old left-hander buried 10 goals from 14 attempts, reinforcing his status as the competition’s top scorer with 57. Older sibling Martim contributed six but, more importantly, drew double marking that freed the pivots for easy tap-ins.Elsewhere, goalkeeper Gustavo Capdeville produced a dozen saves, several from point-blank range, while defensive specialist Pedro Tonicher kept German superstar Juri Knorr to just three field goals – Knorr’s quietest night of the Euro so far.

Germany – A Historical Hurdle That Refuses To Budge

Portuguese fans might feel déjà vu. Across 11 competitive clashes the record now reads 8-3 in Germany’s favour. Their only previous Euro meeting did not even require dusty archives – it was this very match – yet the broader pattern predates several current squad members. Strength in depth, superior league infrastructure and a tradition of power handball continue to tilt the rivalry north-east.That said, Portugal’s recent wins over Denmark and Croatia suggest the gap is narrowing, and younger legs like Leonel Fernandes and Diogo Silva are gaining priceless tournament minutes.

Two Critical Days Before France Arrive

Pereira’s staff face a delicate juggling act:

• Victor Iturriza’s return – The pivot was suspended for the German game and will instantly add kilos of muscle to the six-metre line.

• Video breakdowns of France’s 7-on-6 plays are under way; assistant coach Ricardo Costa hinted at springing a surprise 5-1 defensive shell.

• Load management – Francisco and Martim Costa each logged more than 55 minutes; fresher legs from the bench may be decisive.

How Supporters in Portugal Can Follow Every Minute

All Portuguese fixtures stream live on RTP Play, with extended highlight packages dropping an hour after full-time. For those wanting deeper tactical dives, the federation’s X account posts chalk-talk clips and advanced stats within 24 hours. The time-zone difference is kind: prime-time throws are landing around 19:30 in Lisbon, making it easy to gather friends at the café or family sofa.Should the squad claw its way to the semi-finals, the decisive matches will shift to Stockholm’s Tele2 Arena, a potential first for Portugal on such a stage.

Key Insights In One Glance

Germany’s goalkeeper stole the show, turning a level contest into Portuguese frustration.

Despite the loss, Portugal keeps its destiny intact thanks to preliminary-round points.

Francisco Costa leads the entire Euro in goals, and his brother’s creative load is growing.

Historical head-to-head still favours Germany, but momentum since 2024 points to a closing gap.

A win over France would swing Group I wide open, making Thursday night television essential for anyone wearing red and green.