Portugal had a strong second-half performance going from a two-goal lead to a 15-goal lead. Winning over inexperienced Cape Verde was an important task for Portugal as they are now the second team in the group and can still hope for the quarter-finals spot ahead of the top-notch last match against co-hosts Sweden.

Main Round Group II

Cape Verde vs Portugal 23:35 (12:14)

We saw a slow start from both sides, with missed shots and technical faults; as a result, the first goal came in the third minute, but only from seven meters. The first from the game goal came in the sixth minute as Francisco Costa finally netted for 1:1.

Cape Verde were playing a strong 6-0 defence which Portugal could not break and built an easy two-goal lead that forced Portugal to make a run for it. Following a two-minute suspension, Cape Verde could not defend with one man down and Diogo Branquinho grabbed an equaliser.

Not only that, but Portugal also stretched to a 5-0 goal run, leaving Cape Verde powerless. For seven minutes, the African side could not score, even having a time-out in between, but when they finally woke up again in the 15th minute, Cape Verde did a blistering two minutes to close the gap (7:7).

A very slow-paced match could not see one team having a significant lead. Portugal took a slender advantage near the end of the first half with older brother Costa. Martim scored a nice one to the top left side, setting a 13:10 lead.

Both side goalkeepers finally shone; Edmilson Goncalves and Miguel Ferreira stopped some strong shots, preventing either side from making a difference. In conclusion, Portugal went into the break with 14:12 after converting 61% of their goals, compared to Cape Verde's 55%.

Portuguese head coach Paulo Pereira decided to start the second half with Manuel Gaspar, which turned out to be a wise decision. With two saves in a row, Sporting's goalkeeper allowed his team to catch an early break and get their hands on the first five-goal lead in the match, courtesy of Rui Silva's fast break.

Cape Verde's defence became less concentrated and less agile, while Portugal's defence did the opposite, making the Cape Verdeans tired, which became visible as the final buzzer was approaching.

In 20 minutes of the second half, Portugal's score tripled compared to Cape Verde's. Fast breaks, breakthroughs and taking advantage of Cape Verde's play without a goalkeeper propelled Portugal to a 15-goal lead ten minutes before the end. Taking a chance to score with a man-up turned out to be a dangerous game for the African team.

While Cape Verde remained at their 55% shot efficiency, Portugal's efficiency raised by ten per cent, the right amount for an assured victory. Portugal cruised to yet another victory, led by nine goals of António Areia, and kept their dreams of the quarter-finals spot alive.

In the last round, Portugal will face tough opponents and co-hosts Sweden, while Cape Verde will try to make a surprise against Hungary.

"It was a great honour to play again with another Portuguese-speaking team after Brazil, and to have our prime minister at the match today. In the beginning it was a tough match as Cape Verde tried to do something for them, they were serious and we missed shots. In the second half we took it step by step and took the lead. We were much calmer", said head coach Paulo Pereira about the match.

Cape Verde's head coach Ljubomir Obradović kept it short: "It was a good win for Portugal. In the first half we were leveled, but in the second half we made too many mistakes and they made a decisive gap. Now we have to focus on the last match."

hummel Player of the Match: António Areia (Portugal)