Portugal qualified for the IHF Men’s Junior World Championship semi-finals for the second time in history, with a thrilling one-goal win versus Slovenia in the second quarter-final in Vigo. The victory was secured with a last-second save from goalkeeper Diogo Valerio, which eliminated the current European champions in this age category from the race to claim their second successive major international title. 

QUARTER-FINAL
Portugal vs Slovenia 26:25 (13:14)

Portugal and Slovenia had fought for a place in the U20 EHF EURO final last summer, with Slovenia coming out on top thanks to a two-goal win on their home court. It was therefore expected to be a close match, and a heated one – and it proved exactly that. 

Slovenia had a rough start that saw them fall behind, while their attack struggled to find its rhythm. After 13 minutes, Portugal were in front 7:4 and all of Slovenia’s goals had been scored by left back Gregor Ocvirk. Slovenia coach Sasa Prapotnik called a time-out in the 12th minute and after that his team started to find their way. At 9:7 at the end of the first quarter, Ocvirk tallied five goals and his counterpart on Portugal’s right back position, Diogo Silva, counted four. 

Portugal held the advantage at 10:8 in the 20th minute, before a 2:0 partial from Slovenia saw them draw level with a goal from captain Domen Novak. When Portugal took their first time-out after the equaliser in the 22nd minute, Ocvirk had moved his total to six goals. 

Slovenia started with Gasper Dobaj in goal, after he had stronger performances in the late stages of the preliminary round and became the number one choice. But he left the court after three saves, and the entry of Mark Ferjan proved critical for Slovenia. At the other end of the court, Portugal’s Diogo Valerio also had some spectacular saves, including a penalty that kept the score at 12:11 with five minutes left in the first half. 

Early in the second period, Ferjan’s save rate stood at 57%, and he continued to be dangerous for Portugal as he stopped several clear chances. The physical contest saw Portugal’s Leonel Fernandes receive his third suspension in the 47th minute, at 20:19. 

Neither side could pull away to a comfortable advantage, and at the 53rd minute, the score was level at 22:22. Portugal put in a two-goal edge for a promising 24:22 in the 56th minute, and they remained in front by two at 25:23 in the 57th. But another huge save from Ferjan, off a fast-break chance for Portugal, paved the way for his team to come back to a one-goal distance with just over one minute on the clock. 

As the last 60 seconds began, following what was Ocvirk’s 13th goal, the score line stayed at one, 26:25. Portugal had possession and created a chance for right wing Jenilson Monteiro to secure the win, but his shot flew wide of the goal. Slovenia had the opportunity to level the game – but Valerio saved the shot to be the hero for Portugal. 

Player of the match: Diogo Valerio, Portugal