EHF EURO 2022 – Match Analysis: Portugal Vs. Iceland

by Mário Cesar Navarro Handball Analysis, Men's EHF Euro 2022

On this second day of the Men’s EHF Euro 2022, the Portuguese team made its debut against Iceland, with whom it has had exciting matches in recent years.

Portugal and Iceland are in Group C, along with hosts Hungary and the Netherlands, which promises to be very evenly matched throughout. On the first day of the competition, the Netherlands surprised Hungary with a 31:28 victory in Budapest.

A great game in prospect in one of the most spectacular competitions on the planet between two great teams.

Stay with another detailed analysis of a fantastic and exciting handball match.

Since 2020, Portugal has again been present in significant competitions, as was the case in the EHF Euro 2020, IHF World Championship 2021 and the 2021 Olympic Games. Since then, Portugal has played Iceland in four games, winning two games and Iceland winning two other games.

However, in this EHF Euro 2022, we are going through a tough time for all nations with many injuries and positive cases. Portugal has several casualties by injuries, such as Luís Frade, Pedro Portela, André Gomes, Alexis Borges, João Ferraz, and Diogo Silva. While on the Iceland side, Hakon Styrmisson, Haukor Trastarsson and Sveiin Johannsson are forced absences by injury.

The game started evenly, with the defences outplaying the attacks until the 19th minute. From that minute on, Portugal couldn’t take advantage of another Iceland exclusion, and Iceland took the opportunity to grow animatedly and reach a four-goal advantage at halftime. It is essential to mention that this disadvantage resulted from Portugal’s poor use of numerical superiority and eight turnovers.

The break didn’t do Portugal any good, as they saw their disadvantage grow to Iceland’s six goals, presenting many difficulties in stopping Iceland’s offensive power.

Despite a lot of effort, Portugal couldn’t get closer to a difference of fewer than four goals, presenting many difficulties in overcoming the Icelandic defence.

At the end of the game, Iceland would win by four goals difference, giving a great pass in the qualification for the main round in a highly balanced group.

At the end of Portugal’s game, it is essential to highlight the low efficiency in numerical superiority, with an efficiency of 29% against 74% from Iceland. In terms of positional attack, both teams finished with an efficiency of 47%. Another essential aspect was exploiting the fast break, where Iceland obtained 83% efficiency against 58% from Portugal.
It is easy to conclude that it was a game where the teams were equal in several aspects.

In statistical terms, it is possible to verify that the number of turnovers and fouls conceded in Portugal’s offensive game, compared to Iceland’s, was significant, being above Iceland’s average. In negative terms, it is essential to highlight the number of goals scored by Portugal, although their goalkeepers had a better performance.

Stay with some data about this great match.

Author Profile

Mário Cesar Navarro
Portuguese handball coach with over 15 years of experience coaching both male and female youth and senior teams. Passionate about game analysis and coaching.