Four teams who had lost the quarter-final matches the day before continued in the Placement Matches 5-8, and while Sweden defeated Iceland by two goals, Portugal won by a bigger margin against Switzerland. 

PLACEMENT MATCHES 5-8
Sweden vs Iceland 33:31 (17:15)

In a close fight of the two Nordic sides, Sweden proved too string for Iceland, winning by two goals. Sweden progressed to the Placement Matches 5/6, while Iceland will fight for the seventh place in their last game at North Macedonia 2024.

10 Swedish players put their names on the scoresheet in this match, with center back Emma Mihailovic making the biggest impact, as she netted seven times and also added six assists. Sweden used all their three goalkeepers, and it was Stina Littorin, who made the best impression, boasting a 33% save efficiency. 

At Iceland, it was left wing Lilja Agutsdottir, who had a superb game, scoring 12 goals from 12 attempts. Her team opened up a 5:3 lead early in the game, but gradually Sweden gained the initiative. A few goals from left back Madeleine Rehnberg lifted them to a four-goal lead at 15:11 before Iceland slightly cut the gap before the break.

In the second half, Iceland hit back and were up 25:23 by minute 45, but Sweden then enjoyed a 3:0 run to take the lead. So it was basically anyone's game, but Sweden looked better in the closing minutes, and they went back to their winning ways. 

Alkaloid Player of the Match: Emma Mihailovic, Sweden

Switzerland vs Portugal 25:30 (15:13)

Obviously Portugal had been devastated by a 22:49 quarter-final defeat against Denmark on Thursday, but they found the mental power to bounce back and beat Switzerland. 

The Portuguese team will now face Sweden in the Placement Match 5-6, and they have a chance to show their best-ever result at this level after they finished sixth in 1997. Despite the defeat, the same can be said about Switzerland, whose top placement so far was the eighth position in 2022.

Portugal's goalkeeper Matilde Rosa did a great job, making as many as 18 saves for a 42% saving efficiency. And in attack, Constanca Sequeira and Sofia Ferreira combined for more than a half of their team's tally, scoring 10 and eight goals respectively. Luciana Rebelo also contributed a lot, addind eight assists to her five goals.

Switzerland were dominant in the first half, and although they took their first lead only in the 10th minute (6:5), some good defense and saves by Claire Hartz powered them to a two-goal lead at the break. 

But Portugal improved in the second half, forcing their rivals to make mistakes, and while Switzerland continued to fight hard, the Portuguese team were a clearly better side in the last 15 minutes and deserved a victory. 

Alkaloid Player of the Match: Matilde Rosa (Portugal)