Portugal and Sweden share spoils in high-octane match

A high-octane match, which saw the second largest total of goals scored at the 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship, produced yet another exciting draw, 37:37, between Portugal and Sweden, with Group III of the main round just becoming more complicated.

MAIN ROUND, GROUP III
Sweden vs Portugal 37:37 (18:18)

The battle between the teams topping Groups E and F of the preliminary round had all the ingredients to be a fierce one, with the winners making a big step towards the quarter-finals, taking a huge option to secure one of the two berths in Group III.

But Portugal, which have never made it into the top-8 of the competition, was starting with a one-point advantage, yet had won only one match between the eight played so far in history between the two sides, with Sweden holding a clear advantage in the head-to-head record.

That did not seem to matter so much when the match in the Unity Arena in Baerum started, as Portugal took the lead and did not look back, with goals from the two Costa brothers ensuring that Paulo Pereira’s side was ahead, 8:6, after only 10 minutes, in a fast-paced match.

While Portugal did miss a big chance to go up by three goals, Sweden slowly came back and three goals in 82 seconds saw the Scandinavian side create a 3:0 unanswered run, which enabled Sweden to turn the match on its head and take their maiden lead of the match, 11:10.

There was plenty of variety in Sweden’s attack, with nine players entering their names at least once on the scoresheet, especially as Portugal’s defence was not as strong as advertised in the previous three matches, conceding 18 goals at the break.

The only problem for Sweden? They conceded the same number of goals, as right back Francisco Costa, line player Luis Frade and left wing Leonel Fernandes each scored four goals until the break, with Sweden’s goalkeepers Andreas Palicka and Fabian Norsten boasting only four saves for a 15% saving efficiency between them.

As Portugal had the momentum entering the second half, cancelling a three-goal lead from Sweden, the second part was going to be a crucial one and the pace continued to be high, with 11 goals scored in the first six minutes and 30 seconds, as Sweden navigated a two-minute suspension excellently, taking a 24:23 lead.

The match went back and forth, but since the 39th minute, it was Portugal which took the lead each time, as Sweden had no answer to their opponents’ line players, as Frade and Victor Iturriza combined for XXXX goals, taking advantage of Sweden’s focusing on Portugal’s backs throughout most of the match.

But each time Portugal took the lead, Sweden bounced back and never allowed their opponents to go ahead by one goal, even taking the lead and the initiative in the last 10 minutes. But it was Portugal’s turn to find ways to tie the score, with the two sides entering a deadlock, 35:35, with five minutes to go.

It went down to the wire and in the end, Portugal and Sweden could not be separated, after Rui Silva scored the decider, with 37 seconds left. Sweden took their time in attack, but eventually could not find an opening, as the two sides produced a 37:37 draw, a fantastic performance, which sees the group get even tighter.
 
With five points and still unbeaten, Portugal lead the group, while Sweden are just behind them, with four points, as Norway were handed another big lifeline in this group, but need to avoid a loss against Spain.

Both sides have also improved their chances of progression, as they will be favoured against Chile in their matches.

hummel Player of the Match: Luis Frade (Portugal)