European champions Portugal secured their maiden medal at the IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship, after a dramatic bronze-medal match, taking a 2:1 win against Chile.

BRONZE-MEDAL MATCH
Portugal vs Chile 2:1 (7:5; 11:12; 6:2)

Two years ago, Portugal were coming in as favourites at the IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship, but ended up seventh, after totally imploding following their quarter-final lost against France.

This time around, the European side – coming as European champions in the competition – worked harder, got around better in the four-a-side discipline and finished as bronze medallists, conceding two losses, against Japan in the semi-finals and Brazil in the preliminary round.

But when push came to shove, Portugal showed grit, strength and experience and managed to get out in tough situations, especially in the bronze-medal match against Chile, the dark horses in this competition.

The first set was a battle to see, with Portugal constantly leading the way, thanks to a fantastic outing from Ricardo Queirós, their top scorer in the competition, who did everything on the court.

Five of Portugal’s seven points where scored by Queirós, who also managed to keep their opponents at bay via his excellent saves, as Portugal eventually took the set with a spin shot from Queirós.

But in the second set, a gritty Chile side, who were playing on their National Day, managed to push Portugal all the way. The South American side had their best outing in their history in the competition, and did not give up easily.

Led by Jorge Carrasco, who had 12 points in the match, Chile took the lead early in the second set and managed to keep it until the end, when Portugal tied via a goal from Rodrigo Vieira, pushing the set into the golden goal scenario.

There, Carrasco took advantage of a Portugal mistake in the build-up and scored, with the match going into the third set.

And this is where Portugal’s superior experience powered through. It was once again Queirós who shone, scoring four of his team’s six points, as Portugal dictated the tempo throughout the five minutes, to clinch a 6:2 win and the bronze medal.

Queirós, the Player of the Match, finished with 16 points and six saves for a 67% saving efficiency, singlehandedly lifting his side to the 2:1 win, with Portugal securing their maiden medal at the IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship.