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Portugal in command versus Kosovo

19 Jul. 2019

Portugal in command versus Kosovo

Group C at the 2019 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship opened with Portugal recording their second victory, this time defeating Kosovo. The U20 EHF EURO 2018 semi-finalists thereby moved up to four points, while Kosovo stayed on zero. 

GROUP C
Portugal vs Kosovo 32:21 (16:10)

It was the win Portugal have been waiting for. After a defeat to Brazil in round one, Portugal scraped a two-goal victory over Bahrain in round two to earn their first points at Spain 2019. In round three versus Kosovo, Portugal were able to enjoy a more comfortable game, as they opened a clear difference in the final 10 minutes of the first half and continued on to a dominant win. 

Kosovo took an early lead, 4:1 after five minutes, but once Portugal hit the advantage in the ninth minute, 5:4, they did not relinquish it. Kosovo were still within easy reach up until the 20th minute, 9:8, before a 7:2 partial saw the U20 EHF EURO 2018 semi-finalists pull ahead to a cushion of six goals in time for the break. 

Led in attack by Jon Muqolli, with seven goals, Kosovo fought hard to come back but Portugal were too powerful. With the top scorer of Spain 2019, Diogo Silva, once again in excellent form (eight goals), Portugal hit a 10-goal lead for the first time in the 37th minute. The score line grew as great as 13 goals before Kosovo reduced the difference a touch for the final result. 

Player of the match: Diogo Silva, Portugal